Category: News, observances, history

When will the U.S. have a woman president?

The United States Presidential campaign remains unexpected and contentious as in 2016 and 2020. The current frontrunner for the Republicans is Donald Trump, while Joe Biden leads the Democrats. Three women have been contenders for 2024 – Marianne Williamson, Jill Stein, and Nikki Haley. Constitutional principles may be challenged but will ultimately prevail.

updated March 7, 2024

Seven years ago I wrote in a post-

“Anyone following the United States Presidential campaign knows it has become one of the most unexpected, unpredictable, and contentious races in history. And so far the candidates are only vying for their parties’ nominations.”

Now, in 2023, I could write the same thing!

(Remember: when I write about politics, my remarks are strictly non-partisan. My blog offers “information and inspiration” to encourage your own thoughts and opinions. I have my own political opinions, but that’s not what this blog is about. And, this information is correct as of the published date. )

Republicans for President

The frontrunner is former President Donald Trump, who is facing at least four indictments, including one for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

After almost all contenders for the Republican nomination dropped out -Tim Scott, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Vivek Ramaswamy-Nikki Haley continued her quest for the nomination.

update

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley suspended her bid for the GOP presidential nomination, a day after losing 14 of 15 state primary contests to former President Donald Trump on Super Tuesday. Haley, the last major Republican challenger to Trump’s reelection bid (and his former ambassador to the United Nations), declined to endorse Trump during her announcement.

Democrats for President

Current Democratic President Joe Biden is running for reelection, along with his Vice President, Kamala Harris, the first woman to be VP.

Spiritual author Marianne Williamson, who ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020, has again declared as a candidate, challenging Biden. She dropped out but then “unsuspended” her campaign as of February 28, 2024.

Long-time Democrat Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. changed to run as an Independent. (His uncle was Democratic President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated 60 years ago, on November 22, 1963.)

 How the United States elects a President

How to become President inforgraphic
The Presidential pathway from USA.gov

Physician Presidential candidates

In 2016 I wrote posts about the three physicians who were running for President-yes, physicians. Two of them were men and Republicans.

Dr. Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist, and Dr. Benjamin Carson, a neurosurgeon, ran for the Republican nomination but eventually suspended their campaigns. Dr. Carson became the Secretary of HUD under President Trump and Dr. Paul is still serving in the Senate. You can read about them at this link

From the O.R. to the Oval Office

The third doctor candidate in 2016 was neither a man nor a Republican. It was a woman, Dr. Jill Stein, an internal medicine physician, running as the Green Party candidate. It was not her first presidential campaign, nor her last-she is running again.

“Two-time Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein announced Thursday she plans to seek the party’s nomination for the White House in 2024.” (CNN.com)

“The Democrats have betrayed their promises for working people, youth and the climate again and again, while Republicans don’t even make such promises in the first place,”

Dr. Jill Stein, per CNN.com

Jill Stein, M.D.- Green Party candidate 

  1. Dr. Stein graduated from Harvard Medical School.
  2. Her hobbies include writing and performing music.
  3. She ran for President in 2012, also on the Green Party ticket.
  4. She is a physician’s wife, mother, internal medicine physician/teacher, and “environmental health advocate.”
  5. She developed the “Healthy People, Healthy Planet” teaching program.
  6. She has been interviewed on the Today Show, 20/20, and Fox News network.
  7. In Massachusetts, she ran for Governor, State Representative, and Secretary of State.
  8. She co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities, a non-profit organization.
  9. She likes to walk with her Great Dane Bandita.
  10. She has advocated for several environmental issues in her home state-
  • Mercury contamination of fish
  • The “Filthy Five” coal plants clean up
  • Mercury and dioxin contamination from burning trash
The Presidential Oval Office at the Reagan Library
a replica of the White House Oval Office at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library-photo by Dr. Aletha

What woman could become President?

Nancy Patricia Pelosi served as the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. As Speaker, she was third in line to become President in case of presidential disability or death.

In 2008, then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was the Republican vice presidential nominee, and in 1984, then-Rep. Geraldine Ferraro of New York, a Democrat, was the first woman on a major party ticket.

Current Vice President Kamala Harris is the third woman nominated for VP on a major party ticket. As Vice President, she would assume the office of President if Biden becomes disabled or dies.

In 2016, former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the first woman on a major party ticket to run for President. She won the popular vote with 66 million votes, but Donald Trump, with 63 million votes, received more electoral votes, so Clinton did not become President.

For the election in 2024, the three potential contenders are Marianne Williamson, Jill Stein, and Nikki Haley. In my opinion, all three are long shots, but Haley had the best chance, considering how our voting system works. (That is, third-party or independent candidates are unlikely to win, although votes cast for them can help or hurt the major party candidates.)

But who knows? As our last election proved, anything can happen, but more important is that the nation wins- because the Constitution works, even when it is severely challenged. And here’s a link to the document

Constitution of the United States

The Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

exploring the HEART of health

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Dr. Aletha

My husband took this photo of me “visiting” the White House in 2022

 

Noteworthy in November

In November, the United States not only celebrates Thanksgiving, but also observes the end of Daylight Saving Time, Armistice Day (Veterans’ Day), and Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Hans Duvefelt shares his experiences of his first Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Tradition of Giving Tuesday encourages acts of generosity and shared humanity, aiming to bridge societal gaps in wealth.

There is a new version of this post at November Dates and Days.

Say “November”, and we in the United States think of Thanksgiving. Yes, for the abundant and delicious food we consume, but mostly because it’s a time spent with family, often ones we don’t see every day.

But for some, it’s a new experience in a new country. Or it’s a lonely day, or a day to grieve for what’s lost.

Dr. Hans Duvevelt immigrated to the United States from Sweden and writes a blog, “A Country Doctor Writes”. One year he wrote about his first Thanksgiving in Maine and I invite you to read it, just click on the title.

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

Daylight Saving Time ends

If you don’t like changing from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring, you will welcome the change back in the fall. We used to change in October but a few years ago it was extended to the first Sunday in November, which in 2023 is November 5.

Will we ever quit changing to DLST? Or will we ever change and just leave it that way? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, if the change messes with your sleep, this post offers help to adjust quickly.

Sleep Practices for Restful Nights

In this post I review options to improve our sleep. Daylight Saving Time can disrupt sleep, akin to jet lag. Chronic insomnia involves difficulty sleeping regularly, potentially linked to medical conditions. Treatment begins with addressing underlying issues and adopting sleep hygiene practices, such as exercise and routine. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is effective…

Keep reading

Armistice Day

Maybe you’ve never heard of this day. It’s become more of a historical term for the end of World War I, said to have ended “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918. Many countries observe it in various ways. In the United Kingdom it’s called Remembrance Day. In the United States, we mark it as Veterans’ Day, where we honor those who have served in the military in all wars and peacetime.

Honoring Our Veterans 

Veterans Day on November 11 honors those who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration supports veterans through health care, education, and research. Personal stories highlight the ongoing impact of veterans, including therapeutic relationships with pets and reflections from veterans of past conflicts, emphasizing resilience and community connection.

Keep reading

Native American Heritage Month

The Thanksgiving holiday mostly celebrates the immigration of Europeans to the North American continent. Native American Heritage Month, and day, November 24, recognizes the people who were already here.

It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation….we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.

U.S. Department of the InteriorIndian Affairs

The Rich History of Watercress in Native American Culture

In 1889, the Locvpokv Muscogee Creeks established the village of Talasi near the Arkansas River, later called Tulsa. The Council Oak remains a cultural landmark, where Native Americans hold ceremonies. This article explores watercress and its culinary uses, highlighting its significance to local indigenous communities and the environment.

Keep reading

Giving Tuesday

It started with Black Friday. Then Small Business Saturday was added, as well as Cyber Monday. All for the purpose of consumers spending money so retailers can be profitable.

And that’s good, we need a strong economy. But some parts of our society can fall through the cracks of that economy. While some of us may be doing well financially, not everyone is. And that’s where Giving Tuesday bridges the gap.

Everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts.

Join the GivingTuesday movement and reimagine a world built upon shared humanity and radical generosity.

GIVING TUESDAY

In 2023, Giving Tuesday is November 28, but you don’t have to wait or limit giving to that day. Generosity is a habit worth cultivating year-round.

Exploring the HEART of health in November

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

a world globe with two crossed bandaids

Doctor Aletha