What's Up With Hillary?

What in the world has gotten into Hillary Clinton?

As a woman, I am disappointed in her behavior, especially during the last half of the 2008 campaign for nomination as Democratic party candidate. I mean no disrespect to the first serious female contender for the highest office in the land. My pride in her success is immense. But, Hillary... Mrs. Clinton... Senator Clinton, don't you think it's time you backed down, now.

I no longer recognize this new, desperate, image of a woman grasping at straws and doing anything to attain the object of her desires. Her willingness to do and say anything to achieve that which she seeks. This had once been a woman whose strength in how she had dealt with a husband--governor of Arkansas, at the time--who did not have the sense to respect himself, his office, his wife and their vows, nor their little girl, had kept her own sense of self-worth intact through it all.

No, this desperate version of the Hillary Rodham Clinton that captured my attention and won my admiration, circa 1991, does not much resemble that Hillary. In fact, I catch a glimpse of Bill, not you who for me was the all encompassing definition of the First Lady of the boomer generation: just the right amount of will, plus the perfect level of class, and a large helping of intellect; stir; and pour. No matter what the country thought, you knew you--not Ms. Flowers--called the shots. You knew you, Hillary--not Gennifer--held the place as First Lady of Arkansas, installed beside Bill in the Governor's Mansion. Actually, before these affairs (no pun intended), I had no idea you nor your husband even existed. You, not Bill, impressed me with your strength of character. I hope you will do no less, now.

Accept defeat, graciously. Do not diminish all your hard-won respect as an experienced politician by behaving like a sore loser. Gracefully, remove yourself from the political platform. Tactfully insist that your followers grow up and maturely get away from the spotlight. Please handle this situation with the same admirable taste you exhibited when husband Bill--Mr. President, at that time--so irresponsibly soiled your marital union. Show some of that same grit that you employed to face down a nation, bravely and courageously holding up your head to exult yourself, your young female child, and every American woman who has been forced to deal with such infantile behavior by the man they had given much to support--morally and physically.

Now, let me assure you I am not some religious fanatic. I am not. Religion has nothing to do with this. This is only one run for the White House. If you remain the dynamic icon you have been in the past, it will be the first that will precede another first... a woman in the White House, and not as First Lady, either. I regret that the party has decided to allow your name onto the ballot for the Democratic Convention. I don't believe any self-respecting male candidate would have wanted to find theirs there had he come in second. Why must you allow these women who are obvious sore losers to put you in such a humiliating position? You have always had so much more class than that. Many of them have lots of mouth, but no class. I would not wish either of them to represent me, my values, nor what I stand for. In all honestly, they could not. With those who have claimed they speak for you, I am completely unimpressed. Get new supporters or at least don't allow them to be seen. They represent the American woman, badly.

Hillary, tell these grown up women that we do not want to have others get the idea that we--American women--need special treatment; that we do not need to be pitied or handled with kid gloves when we have lost a political challenge, even if the nomination of a party for the highest executive office in the land. Then, go on out there and show them what you are really made of. You, Senator Hillary Clinton, will be back. They can count on it.