All hail Mrs. President

Every Tuesday night, Americans get to witness the first female president taking over the Oval Office. \nWith lines like, "If Moses had been a woman leading Jews in the desert, she would have stopped and asked for directions and been in Israel in a week," ABC's new series "Commander in Chief" makes the concept of a female president seem a little less far-fetched.\nBut before you get too excited, perhaps the most problematic divide within U.S. politics is not between blue and red, but between blue and pink. No-nonsense Vice President Mackenzie Allen (played by Geena Davis) experiences her share of tensions before and after taking oath as president (the male president dies in the first episode). Not only does the dying president want Mackenzie to resign as vice president, but the entire party that elected her in the first place is against her promotion. \nMackenzie ultimately trusts her intuition and accepts the most powerful job in America. If only this were reality television.\nAlthough "Commander" is a fictional series, it has made for a real-life buzz. At the same time the show is being aired, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are being mentioned as 2008 presidential prospects. \nIt seems rather archaic that in this country, the "land of freedom and equality," we have never witnessed a female president or vice president. Even Third World countries have had female leaders. Outside the United States, there are six female presidents and four female prime ministers.\nConsidering more than 38 women have been U.S. presidential candidates (according to www.womensissues.about.com), one must wonder: What exactly is stopping them from achieving their dreams? Is breaking into the "old boy's club" of politics really that challenging? President Bush would probably answer no. After all, he already broke one glass ceiling by hiring the first woman executive chef, Cristeta Comerford. If Bush can't put more women in the Oval Office, why not put them where they belong -- in the kitchen?\nEighty-one percent of Americans are ready for a female president, according to a recent Sienna Research poll. Yet our nation continues to hold Neanderthal beliefs on the capabilities of female leaders. \nLook at famed writer Norman Mailer. He said he could envision a woman becoming president. \nThat is, only if she was "more impressive than any man around."\nMaybe the problem stems from the fact that America holds powerful, intelligent women to impossible standards. As Davis said, "People want you to satisfy every possible dream or expectation they would have for a woman president."\nWhether President Allen is too tall, too glamorous or too smart, "Commander" insinuates that when a woman finally is elected to the Oval Office, nothing but perfection will be expected. She will be picked on and prodded for her every weakness. In other words, the next female president will have to show that she is "man enough" for the job. \nI look forward to a presidential candidate who, like Mackenzie, wears high heels, shiny lipstick and a bright red peacoat, but also has the character and ability for leadership and moral integrity. \nWhen that day comes, she will most certainly have my vote (that is, if I agree with her politics).