Comments on: Linda Hirshman: Be Shocking, Be Loud

By: PunditMom

PunditMom — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:51:43 +0000

Anna — ditto.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:22:26 +0000

My husband always votes for who I suggest… he’s far less political and informed than I am.

By: anna

anna — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:17:54 +0000

With friends like Linda, feminism needs no enemies.

By: Lynn Gazis-Sax

Lynn Gazis-Sax — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:29:37 +0000

To be sure, I do sometimes vote based on what my husband has told me - and he does the same with me. Given how long California ballots are, with all the propositions and local races, it makes sense to divide up between the two of us which parts of the ballot we research, and then compare notes.

As for favoring candidates based on personality, charisma, etc., at this point in the presidential race it’s pretty much inevitable. How many people are already going to know Obama’s legislative record in detail? It may not even pay to find these things out early on, if your state has a late primary; better to wait and research only those candidates who survived the early primaries. Staying uninformed, I don’t think is any more a female trait than a male one.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:38:24 +0000

There have always been uninformed voters who are attracted to certain personality traits, physical characteristics, or the pure charisma of politicians and vote on nothing else, and those who vote blindly along party lines. From the article it seems these women vote going off of what their husbands have told them about the news and politicians. Ain’t it swell to be a woman with an informed husband?

I’ve talked to several gals in my classes who are excited about the possibility of voting for Clinton because 1) she’s a woman and 2) she seems ‘liberal enough’. But, they’re all waiting to hear some agendas.

I think it’s still too early to be talking about majority voting, especially when your talk is based on anecdotal evidence.

By: Arwen

Arwen — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:22:30 +0000

Oh, that’s a fabulous piece. I find it truly inspiring when other feminists suggest that women are too soft focus to worry about manly things like issues, but instead vote based on popularity - while their political husbands read the paper and become informed. Based on this article, I wonder why they let us soft fluffy mommies ever vote at all. Jeez louise. Like you couldn’t find dudes who voted because of “optics” and personality packaging? Bush clearing brush: for the ladies who like a Marlboro Man.
Linda Hirshman needs some more interesting female friends.