A recent MSNBC article goes into great detail to point out that Senator Hillary Clinton still has very high negative ratings in many key red state areas of the country.

But if you read the entirety of this news article along with hundreds others that have been written about Senator Clinton’s negative ratings, very little if anything is ever said as to why Hillary is despised in certain regions of the country.

Apparently we live in a country where we dislike if not hate another person for no apparent reason other than for who they are.  I strongly believe that if you asked someone exactly why thy despise Hillary Clinton they probably couldn’t give you a coherent reason(s).

One could suggest her failed healthcare plan from the 90’s as reason for their disdain. Others might state that there is an assumption that she’s too power hungry attempting to hold on to presidential prestige long after her days as first lady. 

A third reason might be because people do not want to see former Pres. Bill Clinton back in the white house somehow pulling stings from behind closed doors.  But do any of these reasons warrant such high-level right wing attacks and negative ratings in certain corridors of the country?

Of course not! Sadly, the core reason that red state America and some of their blue state cousins have such disdain for Senator Hillary Clinton is simply because she is a woman. Yep, I said it.  Entire regions of America are intimidated if not frightened over the possibility of a woman becoming president of the United States.

Despite her clear solid political experience and knowledge, the thought of putting authority of the nation’s military, foreign relations, and domestic policy in the hands of a woman is still out of reach, beyond the mental fathoms and limitations of many citizens.

There’s a desperate need for this country to cling to what it knows best, which has been the iconic imagery of a slightly to well privileged white man as commander and chief of America. Even some women are skittish over the notion of a woman president.

Sen. Clinton has often been unfairly vilified as a power-hungry vamp or b***.  But I ask what makes her desire to become president any different from Mitt Romney or Sen. Obama’s? No other male candidate running for the office of president is penalized for their ambition, so what gives with Hillary?

Admittedly I have criticized Sen. Clinton in the past and will continue to critique all of the candidates on the issues as well as their persona.  But this time, I believe America has it wrong.  This time I believe that the Sen. Clinton’s polarizing numbers have nothing to do with her policy, her ambition, her husband or anything she has done to date.

Her polarization has everything to do with her gender.  She is a woman.  She is a highly qualified woman running for the highest office in the land.  This fact scares people and it is resulting in an unfair characterization of Sen. Clinton.

This time, America must finally grow up admit its fear and move forward with progressiveness as one day soon we could potentially wake up to a Madame President.   

Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV Host.  He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com