Election 2016: A Clinton-Warren Ticket? Maybe Not in America, Right Now

Let's hope either Hillary, or Warren or both will lead the country for the next eight years.

JACKIE KUCINICH wrote a piece on June 27, 2016,(The Daily Beast) about a possible Warren-Clinton Democratic ticket. Such a pairing seems a natural thing - the two women appear to be the 'head of the class' candidates not only for the Democrats but even when compared to what the Republicans can offer. (I have not included Bernie Sanders in the comparison base as imho he is a class unto himself.) But Clinton and Warren appear to complement each's qualities in a unique way - either could be considered a viable candidate for President by herself.

From a rational point-of-view, 'Clinton-Warren' would be good for America - Clinton the neo-Thatcher administrator and Warren the problem-solver visionary. Finally, a balance to 200+ years of male dominated leadership.

But, America's tendency to preserve its prejudices and fears has in Ms. Kucinich's research has produced a disturbing but predictable thought about a 'Clinton-Warren' ticket - 'is this too much (femaleness) too soon for America?' Once again America's gender prejudice exerts itself. It is a dark force, felt in mostly in America's imagination but as destructive as a reality.

Ms. Kucinich writes that this force as felt in the mind of a female Ohio democrat:

"You’d think the idea of Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren on a Democratic ticket would fire up Democratic women. Instead, it’s making... voters very nervous."

From another woman interviewee:

“I’m a little concerned about her [Warren] being the VP choice, I’m not sure about two women, I don’t know if the county’s quite ready for that,” said Susan Knox, a retired human resources professional from Cincinnati, said. “I wouldn’t be unhappy, but I want to win here.”

At the base of things, the prospect of a woman President would be an opportunity for America to congratulate itself especially given the opposing prospect of a Republican Party 'Trump' candidate.

But, Kucinich's article indirectly messages a disappointing American trait: in times of national distress, whether economic or racial bad times, America often detours to the easy road - the tendency to spend its energies not on constructive programs and noble gestures but to waste its energies and human resources on the least rewarding (foreign wars against midget armies), the least palatable (racial violence), most low and distasteful actions and statements revealing our cultural fears, hate and prejudices... about gender, race and the general 'Other'.

Will even just a female President be too much too soon for America? I hope not because it's no longer an issue of whose turn is it to be President - male of female. America needs a woman in the President's chair to recover from over 200 years of testosterone overload that has led us into serial warring, secrecy and assassinations, economic corruption and a general neglect of public infrastructures (transportation and communication such as a national internet system), health care and education, and family and child support systems. The 2016 election could potentially change this history and see America take a new, more healthy road.

Let's hope either Hillary, or Warren or both will lead the country for the next eight years.









Aaron Josefczyk/Reuters