TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Women Discuss The Campaign

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

Name: Emily Yandle

Age: 22

Occupation: Student, University of Tampa
"It's depressing, but I think politics in general is. College students who are intelligent and not ignorant are pretty much apathetic. Certainly at this point without Hillary, I think I might just stay out and not vote because of that feeling. I don't see myself switching to Obama, and I have distaste for McCain."

More Comments, Page 6

Six women who supported Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primary election were asked what they thought about her, her campaign, the media and more. Here is some of their responses:

Name: Grace Gonzalez, above

Age: 73

Occupation: Retired from National Gypsum Co.

"I just don't think the country was ready for her. I can't understand why - as far as I'm concerned she was perfect for the job. ... My hopes are that the Democrats will make it. We have to get in there. We can't take another four years of Republicans."

Name: Norhma Holton

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired professor

"I'm a Democrat first. ... I will vote for Mr. Obama and even campaign for him if it's necessary to prevent Republicans from being in the White House again....He's not my first choice, but he's what we have."

Name: Ronna Metcalf

Age: 63

Occupation: Executive director of the Life Enrichment Center
"I'm a woman, and I'm a feminist, and I was just thrilled to finally at last see a woman running under a major party for president. I hope I live long enough to see that day when we have a woman president. ... Women are always last, and I'm getting a little tired of always being last. It's time for us to be first....I think Obama will do just as well. He is a good, viable candidate. Hopefully for whatever experience he lacks, he will have good people to guide him."

Name: Betsy Davis

Age: 60

Occupation: Environmental scientist

"I think the media wanted the race to continue because it had the first serious black man and serious woman candidates. I think they were afraid to be racist, but they had no qualms about being sexist. ... I think the media is truly afraid of racist comments, but sexism is not off bounds. ... I think a lot of women, especially women my age were hurt. ... I will certainly vote for Obama. He and Hillary were very similar. He's good on the issues, and I like him a lot."

Name: Mary Kaplan, above

Age: 62

Occupation: Professor of aging studies at the University of South Florida

"As a woman who has been part of the woman's movement since the 1970s, I think there is a great deal of sexism in this country. Those of us of this age were frankly surprised. We weren't aware that a lot of this sexism still exists. ... She is a very assertive person and very effective in getting her points across, I think she intimidates some people and unfortunately some of those people are women. ... I will support Barack Obama. It's not that I had anything against him; I just thought Hillary was the stronger candidate. He represents my views, and another election resulting in a Republican administration would be very bad for this country."

compiled by Jessica DaSilva

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT