Elections in Argentina: Both a Prediction and Lesson for the United States

This weekend, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (shown below) became Argentina’s first elected female president, a defining moment in political history praised by many in the country as a signal of its progression towards gender equality. With the U.S. elections less than a year away, Fernandez’ success in Argentina has encouraged the media to compare her campaign strategy with that of the first female U.S. presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. Both are seen as strong, independent leaders in a world mostly dominated by men; in their political and social backgrounds, moreover, there are a plethora of similarities that seem to outweigh their differences. Yet, while a comparison of the two may be interesting, the presidential election in Argentina should be viewed more as a lesson rather than an inspiration: voters should pay more attention to the issues that the candidates represent rather than their gender and personal background.

Perhaps the most significant similarity between Fernandez and Clinton is that both of their husbands are former presidents who were very influential while in office. In 2001, Fernandez’s husband Nestor Kirchner shepherded Argentina through a major economic crisis. Argentine political consultant Sergio Berensztein states, “She [Fernandez] comes to power thanks to her husband's time in office, which saw a return to economic growth, higher employment, and a recovery of presidential authority.” Bill Clinton’s political fame, both presently and while in office, has also influenced many voters’ opinions of presidential candidate and wife, Hillary Clinton. Ironically, the Lewinsky scandal notwithstanding, Bill Clinton had one of the highest public approval ratings of any president in office since WWII and has a current approval rating of 66 percent. Despite predictions that her husband’s risqué behavior would negatively influence Hillary’s run for office, she has gone on to become the Democratic frontrunner. However, for Senator Clinton, this optimistic turn of events may raise false hopes. The past has not yet harmed her, but the 2008 elections are just beginning; skeletons in the family closet have the potential to negatively impact even the strongest candidate’s image.

While their marriages provide an interesting political dynamic, Fernandez’ and Clinton’s family ties both help and hinder their respective political images. For Fernandez, her husband’s success undoubtedly helped her be the dominant candidate in pre-election polls: Voice of America’s Michael Bowman reports Fernandez as “nearly 30 points over her nearest rival in a field of more than a dozen presidential contenders.” However, she was criticized by the media for not publicly stating her own economic and social plans for Argentina’s future. She was elected to office despite this criticism, perhaps because she promised the continuation of her husband’s economic policies. This trend is not unique to Fernandez, as politicians often position their campaigns in line with a successful predecessor, but with her win, the issue Argentines face today is: was Fernandez elected because of her husband and will she be a successful president in her own right?

A similar question can be asked of Hillary Clinton. As Democratic frontrunner by a considerable margin, Clinton experiences the same advantages as Fernandez did in the early stages of elections. If what happened in Argentina is any prediction of America’s future, Clinton may well be on her way to becoming the first female president in the United States. Many voters have admitted supporting her based upon the premise of bringing the ex-president back into the White House (stated simply in one recent Fox News interview, “Democrats adore Bill Clinton”). This begs the question: do the voters want Hillary, or do they want Bill? Further, Senator Clinton, like Fernandez, also faces allegations from the media that she attempts to over-manage her public persona. Clinton’s campaign team, nicknamed the “control freaks,” has been blamed for manipulating the politician’s image to the extent that many voters are unable to understand Clinton’s position on key issues (listen to an interesting report on Clinton’s media strategy here).

The bigger picture here is not that Fernandez’s election is a mistake. On the contrary, the growth of female political leadership is a healthy sign of progress towards worldwide gender equality. Clinton’s win would be a radical moment in American history that is long overdue. Both women’s history as first ladies provides them with unique political backgrounds that may be beneficial for them once elected into office. Nonetheless, nominations and elections should not be made solely on the basis of gender or family connection. The road to victory should be based only upon individual merit. Support for Clinton, like that for her competitors, should be predicated on her values and what she stands for. Failing that, Americans risk electing a president who is more image than substance.