Al Franken Chokes Up Honoring 'Loyal' Wife of 42 Years as He Prepares to Step Down from Senate

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12. If either of the two of them . . .

. . .end up becoming the first woman President, it won't really mean as much as they might think. Instead, it will be one more politician winning an election, not a moment when a marginalized person worked twice as hard to gain ground and stood twice as tall for the accomplishment.

That's how I feel about Obama, and it's mostly how I feel about Secretary Clinton. These two gave of their best to show the world that a black person or a woman can rise not only to a position of leadership but also to the challenge of leadership.

Gillibrand has worked hard to serve her own ends, and she may be able to do some good if she acquires the role of President. But "doing some good" is not the same thing as embodying the higher standards that underscore a democracy.