In historic role, Clinton brings a new look to leadership

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With her jewel-toned jackets, supportive first gentleman and campaign trail chitchat about grandkids and yoga, Hillary Clinton gives leadership a different look.

Since entering the race, she has put policies affecting women and families at the center of her campaign.

Women can do this and we can have a presidential candidate whose hobbies are gardening, yoga and reading novels.

Other countries have long accepted women in top jobs — Margaret Thatcher served as the United Kingdom's prime minister in the 1980s, Golda Meir was elected prime minister of Israel in 1969 and Angela Merkel has been chancellor of Germany for over a decade.

[...] while women have served as governors and senators in the United States, seeing a woman reach the final stage of the race for the White House is something new.

The fact that a woman topped the Democratic ticket was abundantly evident at last week's convention, where female speakers packed the program each night and former President Bill Clinton played a supporting role, giving a traditional spouse speech about his wife.

Obama has turned to golf or basketball to blow off steam, Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed big-game hunting, John F. Kennedy loved sailing and Lyndon Johnson collected cars.