Feminists weigh vote for Clinton

By Ellen Wulfhorst

WELLESLEY, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Many American women are excited about Democrat Hillary Clinton's ground-breaking bid for the White House, but feminists warn she can't count on them just because she's a woman.

They said tens of millions of women are more concerned about selecting a candidate who best addresses their top issues and are scrutinizing the former first lady in this light.

"Being a woman in and of itself is not sufficient to gain broad-based support," Faye Wattleton, head of the Center for the Advancement of Women, said. "We're not doing affirmative action in terms of the presidency."

While Hillary's gender is "an added attraction," it is not enough reason alone, added Letty Cottin Pogrebin, a co-founder of Ms. Magazine.

The New York senator seeking the Democratic nomination for the November 2008 election won support from women last week at her alma mater, Wellesley College, where she spoke of facing "the all-boys club of presidential politics" days after Democratic rivals took aim at her at a debate.

Wellesley student Edlyn Yuen, 20, said she found Clinton inspiring. "It definitely boosts your confidence, especially when you see her holding her own in the debates."

But some feminists object to Clinton's decision to stay with her unfaithful husband, former President Bill Clinton, and others argue she fails as a role model by riding his coattails. And while Clinton supports women's issues such as equal pay, abortion rights and family leave, some don't think her stance is strong enough.

LARGER FEMALE FIELD