Welcome back to Totally Motivated your weekly source for motivation, inspiration and power information. I was in Des Moines, Iowa over the weekend and had an opportunity to meet Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton. The security surrounding her was tight, but due to my knowing a couple of the key players, I was allowed to exchange a few words with the Former First Lady.

I found Hilary warm and charming (Unlike her stoic appearance on television). Her handshake was firm, but her hand was soft – the type of hand that hadn’t seen much manual labor – well kept and conditioned. Her eyes spoke to her determination, piercing, and examining, and at the same time, open and approachable.

She seemed to have a good height for a woman, the height of a mother. Her mannerisms were polished, professional and, one could tell, aged in privilege. I went out on a limb and asked permission to give her a copy of my new book, “You Are the Money!” She accepted, looked at the cover of the book, and to my surprise said, “Thank you Wes.”

With perfect timing her aid retrieved the book, and Hilary was ushered through a side door, surrounded by Secret Service personnel. I watched as she gracefully waved farewell to the crowd, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, baring witness to age, beauty, strength, and ambition.

I thought about Hilary-the person, after that encounter. I wondered about the spirit behind the eyes. As public people we learn how to put on a mask and distance ourselves from the stares (and glares) of the always “Probing” fans and foes. I noticed she has learned the art of letting people in to her, without losing her much-needed personal privacy.

Another thought came to mind, one that has made headlines throughout the world, “Can Hilary really win?” I immediately recognized the subtle sexism the question implied. There was no question this person was proficient in her knowledge of politics (Her husband is the former leader of the free world). Her ability to govern is unchallenged. She fought for, won, and serves as the Senator in the largest city in the United States (New York City). And to top it all off, she possesses an independence that, unmistakably, lets anyone know she calls her own shots.

So then, with all the superlatives associated with this great lady why does the question of, can she win, persist? The answer represents one of the lingering stains on the American consciousness. Other countries have had women in charge of the highest post in the land (Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, comes to mind), so why is it such a stretch of the imagination, to think America’s future, would be well looked-after, in the hands of a woman?

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