The reality of the situation is that people subconsciously, some consciously, vote for political positions based on every criteria that a person can be scrutinized for: race, gender, appearance, wealth, education, religion, sexual orientation, political stance, past decisions, stances on hot topic issues, etc. Idealistically, none of that matters and people only elect based on intellect, leader ability, and reliability. People want their leaders to be relatable as well as all the things that a hired official should encompass because their own agendas might be pushed. For example, I would like a gay or gay friendly president because I want changes made for the gay community and I trust that the chances for that are better with that type of president in office. As for women, gender is something that is absolutely politicized so it really does not matter if a potential candidate does not define him/herself by their gender, the public will.
From recent history, people who voted George Bush into office- that weren't too savvy to politics- saw a charming, all-American, white man who they wanted to have a beer with because he and Laura seem like a fun, relatable couple. At the end of his term, America was left in a bad state and a good bulk of Americans did not want the same, meaning a white, republican president. Enter democratic candidate Barack Obama and his lovely wife Michelle. They demographically encompassed everything that George and Laura didn't. How things will look like after president Obama's term is to be decided but it looks to be a political free-for-all. Future candidates will have to resonate with the issues that Americans are dealing with as well as ever growing hot topic issues. And to bring back the female movement, it is something that is gaining tremendous momentum that one cannot dismiss this politically. You have to have a stance on it thus I predict that a female president is definitely possible next term, or at least a female-friendly president with strong women presence in his constituency.
As for the $20, it may seem minor but it really isn't. The main power to it is the sway of perception. Out of all the paper currency, the $20 is the most common and he most valued of the main 4 bills. Putting a respected female figure highlights that Americans value the important women in our history. It is really just a minor step in a grander scheme.
From recent history, people who voted George Bush into office- that weren't too savvy to politics- saw a charming, all-American, white man who they wanted to have a beer with because he and Laura seem like a fun, relatable couple. At the end of his term, America was left in a bad state and a good bulk of Americans did not want the same, meaning a white, republican president. Enter democratic candidate Barack Obama and his lovely wife Michelle. They demographically encompassed everything that George and Laura didn't. How things will look like after president Obama's term is to be decided but it looks to be a political free-for-all. Future candidates will have to resonate with the issues that Americans are dealing with as well as ever growing hot topic issues. And to bring back the female movement, it is something that is gaining tremendous momentum that one cannot dismiss this politically. You have to have a stance on it thus I predict that a female president is definitely possible next term, or at least a female-friendly president with strong women presence in his constituency.
As for the $20, it may seem minor but it really isn't. The main power to it is the sway of perception. Out of all the paper currency, the $20 is the most common and he most valued of the main 4 bills. Putting a respected female figure highlights that Americans value the important women in our history. It is really just a minor step in a grander scheme.
