Clinton not an easy sell to all women

As for the generation ahead of Clinton, "What you may be hearing is the commitment to pacifism that some women associate with feminism," Kaminer said. "It's what I think of as the 'feminine' strain of feminism that sees women as bringing something special to the table because they are not militaristic, work by consensus and don't play the boys' game. And Hillary is someone who has played the boys' game exceedingly well."

Too far to the center?

Some feminists are deeply conflicted about their choice. Jean Lloyd-Jones, a 78-year-old former Iowa legislator courted by Democratic contenders, didn't want to talk about it. "I didn't call you back because I really didn't want to have this conversation," Lloyd-Jones said. "I would be pleased to have a woman in the oval office. But Hillary Clinton is not my first choice."

Lloyd-Jones, who feels that Clinton has moved too far to the center, is beholden to corporate interests and inspires such negative feeling she may have trouble winning a general election, has endorsed Obama.

If Clinton becomes the Democratic nominee, the Hillary holdouts said their objections would melt away. Keeping a Republican out of the White House will become the paramount concern for Democrats, Hillary-resistant or otherwise.

As 83-year-old Mori Costantino of Iowa City put it, "If Hillary is nominated, I will hold my nose as I do with everybody else and support her. I've been doing that for years."

robin.abcarian@latimes.com