Call me a "swinger" when it comes to women - as in swing voter. A swinger who thinks it's a shame that 80-plus years after women were "given" the vote, and two and a quarter centuries into our country's history, only men have held the land's highest office. I want to witness the first female presidency. It's not like I'm pitching some niche minority here. We're talking half this nation's people. That other sex. 50 percent.
I was an early fan of Elizabeth Dole until she talked more about Jesus than about national issues. I would have walked 80 miles barefoot to see Barbara Jordon take that oath. Although today, Jordan would spend more time having her sexual orientation questioned than being questioned about world events. If Condoleezza Rice was a more forceful presence in her current job, I would, like Laura Bush, support her presidential bid. Hillary Clinton is tough and tested. I've relished Ann Richards, admired Jean Kirkpatrick and Kay Bailey Hutchison. You see? When it comes to women, politically speaking, I'm a "swinger".
How disappointing then that so many women missed the point when the third in presidential succession became Nancy Pelosi. At last we had a woman whose place truly was in the House - of Representatives - and millions of women at home ignored or resented it. My ancestors emoted more from their graves than many living women showed that historic day. How can Americans minimalize groundbreaking female achievers so casually? It's disgusting when men are jerks. But when women tell me they "would not feel safe with a woman running this country", I'm insulted and embarrassed.
On this Speaker's day, the condescension spewed predictably from sour grape men and sadly from cheering squads of anti-woman women. Saying all those children at her inaugural showed "disrespect for the institution'. Chicago columnist Clarence Page said the hall looked "like a daycare center'. Rush Limbaugh "joked" Mrs. Pelosi could "breastfeed and multi-task". Their testicular message was clear; this celebration of an unprecedented career was an inappropriate venue for children to witness and share. Ah, yes; "Family Values".
Ironically, that previous day, the country said goodbye to Gerald Ford, whose true ambition had been to hold the very office to which Pelosi was sworn the day after. This man's bi-partisan honor had shown a country what it is to be a generous winner and a graceful loser. That his final eulogies were delivered by Donald Rumsfeld, a man with whom he disagreed but clearly loved, and Jimmy Carter, the man who defeated him for President yet became his friend, this spoke volumes. As did, thirty years prior, the feminist activism of his beloved widow Betty.
But historic nuance meant nothing to a female acquaintance who, like Pelosi, has five children, several daughters. This woman quoted Dallas Morning News editor Rod Dreher, calling Pelosi "some ridiculous Bay Area Botox victim" in ranting emails sent to those presumed to be as bored and bitter as she. I almost started swinging, but chose instead to honor the women I've loved by swinging on the new Speaker's rising star - believing (to paraphrase an old expression) this rousing tide lifted all boats.
Rawlins Gilliland is a writer from Dallas.
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