Letters to the Editor
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Female president?
"92 percent of Americans are ready for a female president -- and that nearly 80 percent felt that a woman would perform as well as or better than a man"
That 8% of people who aren't ready for a woman president can exert a powerful influence on the outcome of an election. Looking at both numbers together implies that perhaps 12% of people would vote for a woman, even though they believed her to be an inferior candidate. People are clearly not rational creatures.
But the ambitious women of America shouldn't feel singled out, there are plenty of capable people who aren't be electable. If you aren't a weathy, tall, white, christian male who belongs to one of two political parties, you are out of luck (at least so far). I recall seeing a poll once where people were asked "would you vote for a : (insert group)". I suppose I shouldn't be suprised, but "atheist" was the least desirable group. So much for my bid for the presidency! And I thought that as a white male I had a shot!