Conversation with a 9-Year-Old

"Mommy, why hasn't a girl ever run for president?"

"What do you mean, sweetheart? Hillary Clinton ran for president this year."

"Never heard of her."

"She ran against Barack Obama in the primaries. Your teachers should have told you about the historic candidacy of both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin."

"She didn't. Mommy, are girls not allowed to be president?"

"No, honey. Girls can be president just like boys can."

"But we've only picked boys, right?"

"Well...yeah."

"Why is that?"

"Well, you remember the reasons given for why we haven't elected a black person?"

"Yeah."

"Well, those also apply to women. Some people just don't think women can do the job. But they're wrong."

*silence* Then...

"Mommy?"

"Yes, honey."

"Maybe if a girl dressed up like a boy, she could get elected."

"Only in the movies, dear."