Recent survey research shows that Americans believe that while women have the better traits to be leaders, men are better political leaders.
Why is this?
What the national poll shows is that women are viewed as being more compassionate, work out compromises better and keeping government honest. But it also shows that many people believe men are better at handling national security issues and crime.
Twenty one percent of Americans blieve men mak better political leaders while only six percent say women do. Sixty nine percent say it does not matter.
Another interesting number is that both men and women polled in the survey overwhelmingly say that women are more honest and intelligent than men in concern to traits that are important to them when choosing a leader. However men are overwhelmingly seen as more decisive in their decision making process.
The results of this survey are very interesting and may explain some of the reasons Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic Primary to Barack Obama. While the economy is seen as the most important issue among Americans, people are still fearful of more terrorist attacks, and while women are viewed as having better traits to lead among Americans, according to the survey they still have a ways to go on national security issues.
National security will once again play a major role in the upcoming Presidential race. It will be interesting to see America’s response to Sarah Palin in the coming weeks. Will America continue its “good ole boys club” of electing only men to high office, or is 2008 the year America makes history and puts a woman in high, elected office for the first time.
Time will tell.
