Hillary for President

In 2008, I will find myself in the wonderful position of participating in two monumental events. The first is the release of my new book, Saddle Up Your Own White Horse: 5 Principles Every Woman Needs to Know. The second is the opportunity to vote for a person who might become the first woman President of the United States. These events fill me with equal delight.

Who has saddled up her own white horse more than Hillary Clinton ? My mother boldly states that any woman who doesn’t vote for Hillary Clinton should have gender reassignment surgery. This opinion has created quite an uproar with all our conservative friends and family members. I find myself smiling like a Cheshire cat because Hillary has given my mother the chance to voice her strong opinions in support of women in leadership roles. I attribute my own healthy confidence to my mother’s passionate belief that women should rule the world.

Hillary’s record and capability speak for themselves, though I must dispel one recurring question about her: “How could you vote for a woman who overlooked infidelity?” My response is simple: Wake up and see that her behavior is a true example of the end justifying the means. Men do this every day. They align themselves with those who will help them achieve their goals. Hillary is behaving no differently. Bill Clinton has established himself as a benevolent leader. Even his enemies find it hard to dislike him. Who better to stand by her side than someone with a positive global presence? I commend her for her calculated patience. She waited for just the right moment to exert her personal and professional power, and she well may be our next President.

Overlooking Bill’s infidelity instantly made Hillary a flawed human like each one of us. She became someone we could empathize with, and her strength to move forward and pursue her goals allows us to admire her. Candidly, I think it served her well in her pursuit of the Presidency.

I am my mother’s daughter, so I encourage you – women and men – to keep in mind the wonderful qualities that set all women apart everyday: broader shoulders (metaphorically), thicker skin, effective multi-tasking, intuitive sense, diplomatic grace, and the ability to deliver tough love.