2000 election could bring 1st woman president

by Julie Shallis news editor

A master's degree in education and government from Harvard, service under five United States presidents, cabinet positions, a position as secretary of transportation and an appointment as the 20th secretary of labor.

These are all qualities of a United States president. The only difference about this possible candidate is she is a woman.

Elizabeth Dole has been contemplating a run for president; at least that is what many are saying.

Dole is from Salisbury, N.C. and is a 1965 graduate of Harvard Law School. After serving eight years as the president of the American Red Cross, she stepped down, according to many, to run for the presidency.

Dole would have to go up against other possible candidates, such as Pat Buchanan, George W. Bush, Bob Doman, John Kasich, Alan Keyes, Al Gore and Bill Bradley.

If Dole runs for president, it would signify a tremendous opening or opportunity in politics, according to Dr.

James Hedtke, professor of history and political science.

"It changes the whole scene," Hedtke said. "It signifies women have reached a pinnacle in politics."

This would break the line of alJ-male presidents and would be open forever. The first is important in any line, according to Hedtke.

Although Dole has the credentials, it would take a lot for the public to recognize the presidential position with a woman, according to Janet Lohmann of the department of sociology.

Lohmann feels that a female vice president would be easier to accept.

Hedtke feels that a female vice president will happen first.

Before a woman was able to get to state government, they had to reach local government. It is a necessary step, according to Hedtke.

But would Dole be able to do the job as well as any man?

"Nothing would be different because she is a woman. It would be different because of who she is politically," Hedtke said. "Nothing would drastically change in our military. We would still have the strongest."

When any person reaches the presidency, they have to uphold certain standards, according to Lohmann.

"They would have to accept war as a part of the position," Lohmann said.

If our country was to put a woman in office, it would not be anything new to our world.

"There are plenty of countries photo obtained from Internet that have had female leaders, including Margaret Thatcher," Hedtke said. "Other countries would expect it to happen. They wouldn't say, 'boy they got there quickly.' They would be saying, 'what took them so long?"'

Elizabeth Dole is a possible candidate tor the presidential election of 2000.

Lohmann also says that there have been a number of women who have held office globally.

"Gender is our issue in the United States, except for maybe in the Middle East," Lohmann said.