Woman presidential candidate

Woman presidential candidate

From Rakyat Merdeka

While people continuously debate about the possibility of
electing a woman as the fourth president in Indonesia, Elizabeth
Dole is in the running as the first woman presidential candidate
in the United States of America. Unlike Indonesia, America is a
country which has for a long time implemented democracy in the
true sense of the word and does not make any fuss about having a
female president candidate. Gender is no issue in Uncle Sam's
country.

Elizabeth, wife of former Republican candidate Bob Dole, is
trying to gain most of her support from female gender groups and
religious circles for a presidential candidacy in the year 2000.
Indeed, she has a good chance to win the presidential election
apart from the other candidate, namely George W. Bush Jr., the
son of former U.S. president George Bush.

Although Megawati and Elizabeth Dole have different kinds of
obstacles along the uphill journey to presidency, as women, the
two candidates must share the same sense of female instinct. For
example, maternal instinct and timidness, two qualities which are
predominant among women rather than men. So during this time of
crisis, Indonesia would be better off to be governed by a woman.

Since Megawati and Elizabeth Dole were picked up as
presidential candidates in their respective countries is not a
matter which happened by chance, but right from the outset they
struggled hard to gain people's support and popularity. Thus,
Megawati utilized her full capacity to lead her party, engaging
in a long struggle to overcome all sorts of obstacles that came
her way.

We can only predict that the two would-be top leaders will
have their dreams come true. It all depends on the voice and
attitude of the respective people. If they are successful,
history will write in golden ink that they were the first women
presidents in their respective countries in the 21st century or
third millennium.

IRENE KANDOUW

Jakarta