When you look at countries which have had women in the highest positions, what's striking is how we lag behind, even in a few countries which are supposedly less enlightened on gender issues than the US.  For example, India and Pakistan.  

But women have led in England, Germany, Israel and many other countries.  It's stunning that so few women have risen to the task or hit the glass ceiling.  

That is not to say I am suggesting we vote for a woman just because she's a woman.  As I have noted, I am one feminist who is not voting for Hilary.   I sincerely believe John Edwards will be a better candidate, one stronger on issues I care about, and with less baggage.  For some time, I waivered between Obama and Edwards.  But I am getting weary of Obama's generation baiting; (see Ellen Goodman's take on this here), his embrace of GOP talking points on domestic issues, such as Social Security; feel-good generalities; and wishy-washy stances in general.  I had thought I'd support him because he opposed going into Iraq when it wasn't easy to oppose it.   He put a lot on the line at the time.  He took more of a risk then than he is willing to do now.  

Now, I figure that those too tightly scripted want it too badly.  They won't put anything on the line, especially a courageous statement when many such statements are what is needed.  

So here's to pols of courage, be they men or women.