It may seem strange to say that last night’s New Hampshire victory, by twenty points, of an apparently harmless, idealistic old man is the beginning of the release of horrors. But I think it may be.
We expected his victory in Vermont and New Hampshire but not by this latest, large percentage. We can understand how his message of radical change appeals to young people and to our increasingly large population of disenfranchised white people—disenfranchised by a political system that ignores them in the same way it has always tried to ignore other minorities. But this is a minority that is not used to being ignored.
Behind Sanders’ recent victories, and the cause of them, is the disintegration of our political process, endlessly played upon and exaggerated by a media that has no solution for it and no sense of responsibility for the rage and despair these stories induce, and a federal government that ceaselessly exacerbates our fears, as in today’s wire service story of a threatened attack by Isis.
And behind these events are the long-term, corrosive effects of gun violence, the continuing and escalating attacks on women, Hollywood’s merciless exploitation of our fears… and, I’m afraid, the failure of us in the women’s movement to bring to bear the persistence and courage that propelled and continues to propel the civil rights movement, and that facilitated the election of President Obama.
And again, behind all this, is the culture’s age-old disparaging of age. Oddly enough, this has not been a problem for Sanders although the prejudice reduces the influence of nearly all older women. An old grandfather is more acceptable than a younger grandmother because of our unexamined horror of female power. We generally do not accept authority in women, and Hilary Clinton is the embodiment of authority, hard-won through decades of fighting in the trenches.
Young people may not understand the elaborate dance of politics in this country, and especially in Congress, where only nuanced compromise and a steady sense of humor—which Bernie conspicuously lacks—can possibly bring our warring factions together to achieve a goal for the common good. No one should underestimate the personal pain caused to a politician of integrity—as Hilary Clinton is—by these essential, and inevitable, compromises. It is easy to think, without experience, that a new, untried leader can simply bulldoze his way through. It won’t happen, as history shows us. The unfortunate idealist may find himself sitting on top of a calcified system that does not allow for change, except, perhaps, though compromise. Or revolution. And this country is allergic to revolution, to the radical ideas and the sacrifices required to even attempt to knock a system down.
It is instructive that the political leadership in Vermont does not support Bernie Sanders. They witnessed his decades-long service in their legislature, marked by a lack of initiative, commitment or passion. Obsessed by one or two ideas, he has not been able to broaden his perspective to include the incredibly complex ideas that all who seek to govern must study and understand. How many of the young people who repeat his slogan, “income distribution,” have ever found that phrase in their vocabulary before now, or supported the social movements that attempt to ally poverty, discrimination and violence?
The situation is almost certain to change in the next weeks when the constituencies that have long supported Hilary Clinton, Hispanics and African-Americans, begin to vote in the states where because of their numbers they wield influence. And it is not too late for us women to wake up and realize what a woman president could do for all of us.
But this is a terrifying time, for many reasons. Foremost are the horrors that would be unleashed upon us by our benighted electing of an amateur—of either party.
[February 13: A slightly longer version of this piece is now available on Medium.]
Virginia Speed on Facebook says
Now, or
Pam demmer says
Really excellent post, Sallie. I shared it on my Facebook page.
SallieBingham.com says
Thank you, Pam!
Deborah Dennison on Facebook says
Thank you Sallie, for posting this.
Dolores Delahanty says
Well said. It is difficult for me to subdue my anger and become another old outrageous white feminist. Madeline and Gloria got whiplashed by the backlash.
Joe Guiles on Facebook says
I agree our country is ready for a women president, just not this women. we already have had an affirmitive action experiment with Obama, we need real leadership
Debra Clem on Facebook says
Joe, Hillary Clinton is the most qualified and experienced of all the candidates from either side. In terms of her leadership, no one comes close to her resume. What bothers me is, that in the face of all of her years of experience, people are still willing to vote for men half as qualified as HRC. All that’s left is ageism and sexism — and that is turning out to be the justification for voting someone else. It’s terribly sad that misogyny is the not so secret demon that is driving so much of the policy positions and attitudes of the media and the electorate.
Joe Guiles on Facebook says
Really? Her own party does not think so. I used to think Hillary was a good candidate , but after the Benghazi cover up. I just can vote for a women who covers something’s me that up. You cannot deny she started the narrative that the attack was started by a video
Joe Guiles on Facebook says
Find a better more qualified women Debra and I’ll vote for her
Kiersten Nash on Facebook says
Hold up: “an affirmative action experiment”, seriously?!
Paula Miller on Facebook says
And Benghazi? How many investigations by the right do you need before you drop this ridiculous mantra? Btw, if you think the DNC isn’t behind Hillary, you’d better think again!
Joe Guiles on Facebook says
Are you denying that she sent rice out on all the Sunday’s morning shows to lie to the American Poeple that Benghazi was a result of a anti Muslim video ?
Joe Guiles on Facebook says
What about Monica ?
Paula Miller on Facebook says
I think what has been proven by all the investigations was there was a lack of intelligence and Embassy protection all around the Middle East because THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS CHOSE TO DECREASE FUNDING!! What about Monica? That was her husband’s problem and if she chose to stand by him, that’s her business, certainly not yours!
Lynne Roberts says
Bravo, Paula Miller!
Anun Seetapun on Facebook says
The word Integrity & the name of any of the clintons’, more especially Hillary , should never be used in the same sentence
March Bracken on Facebook says
Someday a woman. We’ve evolved. We vote now for the person, not for a black man or a woman.
Richard Demick on Facebook says
Joe Guiles needs to review current events.
Joe Guiles on Facebook says
I think I am pretty up on current events Richard buy enlighten me ?
Curt Wohleber on Facebook says
FYI, it’s spelled “Hillary.”
Katherine Hilton on Facebook says
Definitely worth thinking about …
Paul Thomas Schmitt on Facebook says
I want you to know, Sallie, how much I appreciate the wisdom of your words. In my heart I support the radical truth that Bernie represents. Yet I know the importance of bringing people together in this day and age. We can accomplish much by listening to each other through our willingness to compromise. Thank you for writing this! Is it in any of the news feeds?
Nadine Stafford on Facebook says
Typically when we hire someone for an important job, we want the boldest person with the deepest resume. Yet in our elected offices, many Americans believe that inexperience is an advantage and should rule the day. Watching this endless–and endlessly expensive–campaigning, I have reached the point where I fear for our country and democratic republic.
Ranny Levy on Facebook says
Hillary has experience that none of the others bring to the table
Janice Peterson on Facebook says
No one has presidential experience. One has to know our system, of course, but until you sit in that chair in the oval office, one has no clue. So one must look at the candidates, judge their wisdom, their character, and their vision for America, whether it is a woman or a man, to decide if they are worthy of the office. I do not think gender should be a reason to vote for a candidate.
Michael Price on Facebook says
I encourage everyone to vote according to their convictions, not their calculations. If you conclude that a candidate consistently acts in accordance with you, vote for them. Gender is not a political position.
Pete Reinbold on Facebook says
You mean to us all
Keith L. Runyon on Facebook says
Yes! Men must wake up as well.
Marlon Austin on Facebook says
Empathy and Sympathy are the sisters of Wisdom.
Jacqueline Tobin on Facebook says
What we learned about what Hillary could mean to we women should she be elected is that if your sons or daughters are in harms way, she will not come to their side and if your daughter or other young woman gets ensnared by her husbands charms, she will do everything she can to destroy them. Yes, I’ve learned slot about what she would do….
Melissa Carlson on Facebook says
She simply cannot become president. Cannot.
Phil Cohen on Facebook says
I believe this is truly so far beyond our ability to reasonably discern intentions and likely future action that I hope all feel as ignorant as I do. Decisions are made based on criteria that we cannot imagine and are controlled by powerful influences beyond our knowing. The election will be, and always has been, about who this establishment wants and needs to be in office. Who will do their bidding, is the question we need to consider. A president, regardless of race, religion, or gender becomes a part of this world order not because we choose it. It is the one who has demonstrated loyalty to those that brung them, and not the one who appears to win the popular or electoral vote. Because Hillary has the most experience within this larger system might make her eminently qualified, or eminently frightening. We all must choose based on our heart, our gut and our mind. Do we want someone who will effectively defy the established order or someone who operates in its shadows while giving the appearance of being for the people? Lots to ponder…
Jacob Cohen on Facebook says
The author obviously has done zero research on either sanders or Clinton. Sanders has a long political history, and has done far more for civil rights than her. And she is most definitely not a politician of integrity. And as far as women’s rights, trying to convince women voters that they have to vote for Clinton because she’s a woman is hypocritical. This country is allergic to revolution?! This country was founded in revolution. Get your shit together. Integrity and consistency are synonymous. Not flip flopping on every issue and selling out to corporations the way Clinton does. To say change is impossible therefore we should just leave things unchanged is absurd. Change happens when you get off your ass.
Michael J. Morrissey on Facebook says
Nothing is more sexist than voting for a woman just because she is a woman. Hillary has done so many unethical and probably illegal things that she cannot be considered an honorable candidate.
Bill Bidal on Facebook says
This one is corrupt egotistical and dangerous. She is a me versus we person who thinks we owe her the job. Tread carefully here.
Deborah Dennison on Facebook says
what a lot of hate! presumably you know her personally to damn her so completely? Where’s your proof of “corruption” – what vote did she make in the Senate or action as Sec State that indicates corruption? Because that’s a very serious charge, so of course you have specific proof, right?
Carol M. Johnson says
Wheee, you certainly opened a fresh line of conversation re the cur rent political scene. Interesting views…..but no answers to my bewilderment as to why, in a country as large as the United States, is there no person out there in this “meat market” campaign that really seems to be the answer to what we need – a voice for reason, intellect, respect, leadership – that doesn’t whip up everyone into a frenzy with every word they might utter. Is that “missing person” simple out there, waiting for the right moment to appear, like some political “savior”, who can united and restore sanity to those of us also waiting, wanting, wishing, hoping? They can appear in either party – I just want a respectable candidate to vote for in November.
Barb Howe says
Thanks. These things had to be said!