The ten most recent threads posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums.

The ten most recommended threads posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums in the last 24 hours.

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An earlier post looked at politicans as either Transformational or Transactional (for that discussion, see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu... )

Another source views two types of pols as Architects & Engineers.

The Architects are those with the dreams and visions who have the capapcity to be inspirational leaders and transact transformation. They are more reliant on their staff (their engineers) to immplement their visions. Obama fits this type, as we can clearly see through his speeches which some have criticized as being inspiration but non-specific and short on detail.

Then there are Engineers. These are the ones who are detail-oriented, can-do, get it done type of pol. They are technicians who can plan and implement the plans. They are not as strong on the inspiration and leadership fronts but are terrific at implementing a leader's vision. Hillary fits this type, as we can see by the specifics and details she outlines in her speeches.

The dilema we face is that we need both inspiration/leadership and engineers/technicians in order to promote a progressive agenda, and we're not going to get both in a single candidate.

Personally, I think what we need right now is a president who can inspire and lead, get the country on together and on board with the major changes that need to be made. That president needs to have a terrific staff of engineers who can get the job done through the necessary legislation. An Architect/Engineer ticket would be optimal. I worry about an Engineer/Architect ticket.

Those of us in our 50's and 60's Since women first got the vote in 1920, women are looking at their 22nd election. The first woman who ran for president was an African-American, Rep. Shirley Chilsom of California in 1972. Since a woman first ran for president in 1972 until now, only 7 elections have occurred. Women today who are in their 50's and 60's have a life expectency way into their 80's. That means we have probably 6 - 8 more elections to face in our lifetimes. 6 - 8 more opportunities to elect a woman president. Younger women have more opportunities to come. From 1972 to 2008, 7 elections down, 6 - 8 to come. We're at the half-way point.

The odds are very good that before long, another woman will come on the scene who taps naturally into the positive feelings that people have towards the powerful and influential women in their lives. This woman will be able to call forth the support of a majority of voters who will defend her when she's attacted and who will be honored to allow her to be their leader. She'll be able to call people to unify and bring out the best of their natures. She'll have the wind at her back, propelling her forward rather than being required to fight uphill against the wind.

I look forward to that day.

But it's not this year. And that woman's name is not Hillary Clinton, sorry to say. But she'll have Hillary as a trail-blazer, a pioneer woman who has forged a new way for others yet to come. And that, in itself, is holy and sacred work to contribute.

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