Since when does Hillary speak for ALL women?

I never asked for her assistance on my behalf. Not one time. And I have a good reason for that.

I CAN SPEAK FOR MY DAMN SELF.

There's an article HEREthat suggests women are defending Hillary because

"she speaks for all women and should stay in the Democratic primary race to the bitter end."

This frame of thinking defies a large portion of logic for me.

Another significantly smaller portion of me can understand that yes, Hillary's campaign is extremely important and historic for a plethora of reasons. But this acknowledgment has been greatly tainted by the fact that her campaign has royally sucked...also for a plethora of reasons.

Now i'm not touting a tough feminist banner here or anything. But i'm not naive either. I know our struggle and I am fully aware of the societal issues that have caused severely disproportioned power & privilege to befall on the non-fairer sex, leaving women behind with a 90 degree uphill climb. I know the issues because i've lived through some of them, my mother has fought through many of them and my grandmother made it one of her points in life to tell me all of the strife she went through due to her gender. And i'm sorry to tell anyone who thinks so, but Barack Obama's presidential candidacy ain't one of these issues.

His bid has not in ANY form halted the woman's movement. If anything, it has strengthened it. Due to this primary season, I believe there are many women who now realize there are certain attributes WE DO NOT NEED NOR WANT in order to get ahead in the game. No disrespect to Senator Clinton, I know she has fought for many noble causes. I hope she continues to take such a strong stand. But as a woman who has never grown complacent in my own social/career/academic status, I know it's possible to make your point without lying, manipulating, scapegoating, finger-pointing, denying and race-baiting (or allowing others to do it for you).

Therefore, I take great offense to statements such as Hillary Clinton Speaks for ALL Women. I have my own voice. And I know it does not have to pattern after a certain candidate SOLELY because she's a woman also. That has never been the cause for women pioneers to fight for other causes.

Women should have the right to vote because we're women!
Women should be able to serve in the military because we're women!
Women should be able to attend any university of our choice because we're women!
Women should be able to start & run businesses because we're women!
Women should vote for Hillary because she's a woman!


Wrong. And stupid.

Women should be able to do all of the above and then some because we are equipped with the knowledge, the skills, the common sense, the integrity, the strength, the RIGHT JUDGEMENT, and the strong sense of character to get the job done.

I want a president who rides higher than gender, color or age. I will not place my vote for anyone on either of these characteristics. And I reject and denounce any woman who attempts to make me feel like a traitor simply because I have found my hope in Barack Obama.

I try REALLY hard to get along with Hillary supporters

Honestly, I do. If i encounter them on the street and someone stops to ask about my Obama button (happened twice), and then proceed to tell me why they LOVE LOVE LOVE Hillary....I listen. I listen and smile and nod. Because i'm just as passionate about MY candidate, whom by the way, showed out last night. I have never once cut off a Hillary supporter in rude disregard. I am more than aware that to win this thing in November, we need ALL of the dems. Not just staunch Obama backers. We need the support of those who preferred Clinton but will have the insight and the common sense to support Barack once he gets the nomination. So i'm ready to be in FULL kiss and make up mode.

Until I read crap like this.

I'm one of the many Clinton supporters who won't vote for Obama if he's the nominee. I'd be tempted to vote for McCain except for the judges issue, therefore I'd likely stay home. People don't get that the reason so many Clinton supporters won't vote for Obama is because they don't think he's ready to be president. Personally I don't think he's got the mental fortitude for the job, that he'd be another George Bush who just frays at the seams. The stress of the presidency requires fortitude: mental, physical and spiritual, and I think Obama's lacking on more than one front.
And this is not over. Black voters didn't take Obama for granted but women voters failed Clinton. I think women may be waking up to this fact, hopefully in time to make a difference. Posted on HuffingtonPost Read it HERE

It's this crock of ish that gets under my skin and makes it a tad bit harder for me to grin and bear it. I understand that ignorance is running rampant during silly season. I get it. But dammit my tolerance level for those who can form there lips to compare Obama to the absentee status of George Bush's mental fortitude is slim to NONE. Not only is it evident just in LOOKING at both of them who is the intellect and who is the air bubble, but the history of judgment and effectiveness while in political office speaks on its own. And as far as the "mental frays" and stress of the Presidency being beyond Obama's grasp, spare me on that one too. All I have to say is Wright, Muslim, Wright, Un-patriotic, Delusional hope-mongrel and Wright. Through all of the vetting and attempted slander, Barack Obama is still standing and his campaign is stronger than ever.

So please Hillary supporters. I'm trying. I want to work with you. I want to help dispel the anger, hurt and every other negative feeling that these primaries have encouraged for BOTH camps. But you have to give me something to work with. If you're gonna voice your opinion against Barack, please let it be of sound judgment and preferably containing FACTS, and I will listen and try to sort everything out. But all other tyrannical, idiotic rants will get you dismissed as someone who truly doesn't care about the democratic party in the long run and would rather vote McCain by not voting at all.