Shirley Chisholm 1972 Presidential Campaign Thesis

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This can be clearly demonstrated by the fact that it took another 26 years for a black man to be elected president and we have yet to see a female head of state. Demographic representation in either major party has also come in waves of more or less over the years and both parties are still arguably challenged by special interest dominance and a more often then not wealthy constitution, with an even more wealthy pool of candidates to choose from, owing in great part to the not decreasing but increasing cost of running for national office at the congressional and presidential levels. (Magarian 1939)

Critics like Chisholm, though in the minority demanded changes such as an end to the Vietnam War and limitations or challenges to the seniority systems in the House and other arenas that dominate who and why voices are heard in various legislative debates and formulations and to some degree what makes it to ratification and what does not. ("Chisholm, Shirley Anita St. Hill") Chisholm also reflected most effectively the variation in demographic representation in the Democratic Party that was a result of the broader civil rights movement and all its challenges to traditional racist, sexist and conservative traditional values of the broader culture. Unfortunately, and in contrast to common public opinion being a reformer demanding change in traditional arenas is not usually the ticket to success in politics, as reformation demands many to look carefully at the benefits those in power gain from their political clout and fiercely covet and protect them. It is very likely that Chisholm, though likely hoping for success was clear about her role not as a legitimate candidate for the Democratic nomination but one that would challenge the status quo and possibly pave the way for change in the future.

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("Obituary: Shirley Chisholm" 13)

Polls conducted during the period stress that Chisholm, ranked very low in popularity among voters;

Average Ratings of Major 1972 Political Figures

Richard Nixon

Whites

Blacks

Ted Kennedy

Spiro Agnew

Hubert Humphrey

R. Sargent Shriver

Edmund Muskie

George Wallace

George McGovern

Henry Jackson

John Lindsay

Shirley Chisholm

Range of N's)

Miller & Miller 411)

Conclusion

It is not always clear why individuals seek to run for offices and nominations that they have little if any chance for success in, but it is clear that such situations force change. Though, as has been stressed before enduring change is much more difficult to come by and it is not uncommon for such "statements" to prove only temporary and anomalous as peers and the population chalk the situation up to the context of timely cultural challenges. Chisholm cared deeply about the changes that she wished to see occur in the Democratic party, the election system, the congress, the culture and most importantly the world and sought to challenge the status quo by putting her hat in a ring that was and continues to be dominated by men almost all of whom are white. Chisholm was clearly a pioneer who should be revered not only by other purveyors of change but by the general population of the nation, as we embrace the promised change associated with the long due election of the first black man to the presidency and look hopefully in the future toward the promises of a woman in the same office.

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