Not So Easy

And so it was that Barack Obama recounted to reporters what he had earlier told a group of Clinton supporters on June 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota: "I understood that they were as inspired by her candidacy as some of my supporters are inspired by mine. They're not alone in drawing inspiration from her campaign. My own daughters now take the possibility of a woman being president for granted."

These are words taken to be generous, gracious, and "healing." And words we all wish were true.

"My own daughters now take the possibility of a woman being president for granted." She was a respected, hard-working, United States Senator from a huge state; the spouse of a former president enormously popular in the party; possessor of a vast network of donors and experienced political operatives eager to work on her campaign. And she lost; lost in part because we cannot "take the possibility of a woman being president for granted."

I'm not speaking here of the latent sexism of male politicians and members of the media which reared its ugly head during the campaign. It is not clear that Mrs. Clinton's gender had a net negative effect on her bid for the nomination. But it is clear that the New York senator ran much weaker among young female voters than among those older. And part of the reason is this: young women, growing up in a society which has afforded women much more opportunity than previously, really could not imagine that it was necessary for Hillary Rodham Clinton, this year, to be the first female president. A female president, they believe, is only a matter of time, a naive view born of the increasing prominence of powerful women through all sectors of society. And so it was that the candidacy of this impressive woman, ironically, was harmed by the misplaced confidence that a woman has as clear of a path to the presidency as does a man.

But give Barack Obama credit. In one statement, he managed, presumably, to mollify some Clinton supporters; remind voters that he is a caring family man (takes note of the feelings of "my own daughters"); and cleverly imply that his success in 2008 is not only no setback, but actually an advance, for women. That is no mean accomplishment.