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This question is primarily for Democrats and Independents, but Republicans and others are welcome to answer as well.
If Bernie Sanders had been born a girl named Bernadette and Hillary Clinton had been born a boy named Harvey, but everything else about them and their positions were the same, would you support “moderate/progressive” Harvey Clinton or Democratic Socialist Bernadette Sanders?
(Obviously, “Harvey” couldn’t have married Bill Clinton 40+ years ago, so let’s posit that he was Bill’s brother rather than mate and that they had a close consulting “JFK & RFK” sort of relationship.)
Would the swapping of their genders, but not their resumes or character attributes, make you more or less likely to vote for either? And by all means, let’s say that Harvey had long been championing women’s and children’s issues and that Bernadette had focused much more on class issues, like Elizabeth Warren or Seattle’s *truly* Socialist City Councilmember Kshama Sawant.
I think that it’s an interesting question, if people answer honestly, so I look forward to seeing those honest answers.
About Greg Diamond
Somewhat verbose attorney, semi-disabled and semi-retired, residing in northwest Brea. Occasionally ran for office against jerks who otherwise would have gonr unopposed. Got 45% of the vote against Bob Huff for State Senate in 2012; Josh Newman then won the seat in 2016. In 2014 became the first attorney to challenge OCDA Tony Rackauckas since 2002; Todd Spitzer then won that seat in 2018. Every time he's run against some rotten incumbent, the *next* person to challenge them wins! He's OK with that.
Corrupt party hacks hate him. He's OK with that too.
He does advise some local campaigns informally and (so far) without compensation. (If that last bit changes, he will declare the interest.)
His daughter is a professional campaign treasurer. He doesn't usually know whom she and her firm represent. Whether they do so never influences his endorsements or coverage. (He does have his own strong opinions.) But when he does check campaign finance forms, he is often happily surprised to learn that good candidates he respects often DO hire her firm. (Maybe bad ones are scared off by his relationship with her, but they needn't be.)
Neither a Republican or a Democrat here. I abandoned the Republican Party years ago. I can honestly say that gender is not a factor when I vote. In the last 20 years I rarely vote based on what a politician tells me during the campaign, although I do take it into consideration. I vote mostly based on past performance and past positions on issues prior to election season.
I see the Bronco are ahead 16-7 in the 4th qrt w/ about 13 minutes left in the game. I hope they hold on. I’d like to see old man Peyton end his career with a SB ring. But only if he retires. If he comes back for another season I’d like to see the Panthers beat ’em.
“Orange is the new black” works equally well across unisex garb.
Thank you for linking that video from Stefan Molyneux. I adore the guy. Very deep and one of the most articulate communicators on current events that I’ve found on the net. What I find so interesting about Molyneux is that his background in philosophy and social causes would seem to produce a man far left of center. Yet many (not all) of his positions are conservative – some extremely so. The detail he offers in his videos is intricate. No stone is left unturned. Incredible research. I’ve been fooled before, but Molyneux strikes me as a very genuine man – what you see is what you get. As if he’s into truth, not money. He tackles the most controversial issues. Nobody (conservative or liberal) in the cable or radio talk show circuits I’ve listened to can hold a candle to Stefan’s delivery. The fact that the networks haven’t recruited him gives him even more credibility in my eyes.
He really nailed Hillary, eh? The DoJ should pay attention. I suspect they know and look the other way. Sad.
If anyone knows more about Stefan Molyneux (positive or negative) let me know. My knowledge of him is limited. My views are based on first impressions.
Oh, sorry. I didn’t answer the question. Hands down my vote would go to Bernadette Sanders. What’s names and genders got to do with it?
It would make my choice of Sanders even easier. Because I DO want to see a female President, but I am having to put that sentiment aside because I like Bernie’s record, program and character so much better than Hillary’s.
(By the way, don’t you think these images are better? That half-negative stuff hurts my eyes…)
I’m just happy not to have had to Photoshop them. You’ll see why in the morning.
Moot point: Harvey Clinton would not be a viable candidate for President.
There is no political version of Hillary Clinton that is not preceeded Bill. Skilled as Hillary is at policy, Bill is the one with the political skills. And Bill never would have married Harvey.
A Harvey Clinton would have been quite successful – just not in politics. Examining HIllary’s eight year senate record provides a useful gage of Harvey/Hillary’s limited political skills.
She sponsored 713 sponsored bills, but only 3 became law. All three successful bills renamed federal facilities. That’s it. Hillary’s biggest, most highly visible Senate vote — whether or not to invade Iraq — is seen a major mistake by her own rank-and-file.
Does that sound like someone skilled at politics?
Bernadette Sanders, on the other hand, would have locked down the nomination by now, as she unites two of the three legs of the Democratic “tripod”: progressives and working women. Bernie, of either gender, has a lot of work to do to bring non-white voters back on board, but there is plenty of time for that.