Back in 1969, Richard Nixon confidently predicted: “In the next 50 years, we shall see a woman president, perhaps sooner than you think.” Yet here we are, not too far off Nixon’s deadline, and although there are always rumors about a female up for the presidential nomination, America has proven that it is not ready for a female president.

Every time a potential woman candidate for president emerges, it’s the same debate — and it’s one that circles around the same stereotypes. Can Americans trust a woman to handle national security? Perhaps her natural compassion and skill at education and health policy would make up for it.

In a poll this month, 79 percent of Americans said they would be comfortable with the idea of a female president. Unfortunately, accepting the theoretical notion of a female leader is quite different from voting for an actual woman. While plenty of people say they would not discriminate against a woman, many of the same people would not actually cast their vote for one either.

“I would not vote for a woman running for president. God clearly made man and woman different. He also made it just as clear that we are of the same worth to him. Our differences are to benefit each other. For instance, bone and muscle have two distinct roles. In and of themselves, the two are useless, but together they are strong and productive. In the same way, men and women are of equal worth with different roles that benefit and compliment each other. With that said, I feel that the role of a woman does not extend to ruling in a governmental sense,” says Tyler Miller, a junior in marine geology, said.

Many people share this opinion. This is not an opinion that will change with time and more equality. Many people would not agree with a woman president based on religious views, and this is a large part of the nation to consider.

When Elizabeth Dole made an attempt to get the Republican party nomination in 1999, it presented the question to a whole new generation and caused much debate regarding the American public to finally, seriously consider a woman as president. Even though polls were showing that a large majority of people would not discriminate against a woman voter, Dole could only raise $5 million, compared to the $56 million that Bush has raised. So while some people may be ready for a woman on the ballot, not everyone is ready for one to actually win.

“I don’t feel that our society is ready for a woman president. The enemy we face in the war does not respect females the same way we have come to treat them as equals. If we were not in this war, I would fully support a woman president,” says Chris Dildy, a senior in computer engineering.

The war will have to be a factor in the next presidential election. We have to consider that our president will need to be able to communicate with and be respected by the new government in Iraq. The question is not whether a woman is capable of doing the job, but whether the Middle East and the rest of society will be able to accept it.

One of the most powerful forces in America, the media, has proven that it is certainly not ready for a woman president. It’s the media framing the candidates, the debate and often the election. I can recall several times where coverage of a woman politician has been very biased.

I can wish appearance never mattered in politics, that each candidate could campaign with a bag over their head and the results would be the same. But appearance does matter, and gender completely changes the framework by which we judge. An attractive, young male candidate? No problem, adds to charisma. Make that an attractive, young female candidate? Unelectable. She’s too hot, she won’t command authority, she isn’t masculine enough — and other stereotypes that will come to mind.

Women have gained a lot of ground in the past hundred years, and I’m sure there are many women out there who would be capable of leading the nation. But while I may be ready for a woman president, while even the campus might be ready for a woman president, America is not ready for a female president.

E-mail Amy at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.