Maureen Dowd discusses the 2008 race for the Democratic nominee in terms of race and gender. For the first time in the history of the United States, the Democratic Party--any party for that matter--is choosing between a woman and an African-American on the ballot. The contest can reveal a lot about America's national character, notes Dowd. One of the lessons learned from the race might be how ingrained both sexism and racism are in the national consciousness, and which of the two beasts will be easier to overcome. American voters seem to be torn along the thorny issues of race and gender in the current Democratic race for the 2008 nominee. Yet Dowd claims in an opinion piece for The New York Times entitled "A Flawed Feminist Test" that the Democratic nominee will be chosen more for character and integrity than on either race or gender.
             Dowd claims that Hillary Clinton faces a tough battle between appearing stereotypically feminine and surviving in what can only be rightfully called a man's world. Politics is clearly dominated by males, no matter what their ethnic or racial heritage. Because of her gender and Hillary Clinton faces innumerable obstacles to success that are not experienced by Barak Obama. In many ways, Clinton's persona challenges established gender norms. She is also scrutinized in ways male candidates would never be: on her looks, on the timbre of her laugh, on her emotional expressions, and on the clothes she wears. As a strong, assertive woman, Hillary Clinton is labeled with unseemly monikers such as "white bitch." Ironically, Dowd claims that the negative press Hillary Clinton receives might end up working in her favor because of the enormous sympathy she receives from some voters.
             Clinton's greatest threat seems to be Obama's charm. However, Dowd states that Hillary is "not the best test case for women," largely because of her entanglement in the Clinton dynasty and the political fiascos that go with it (p. 1...