Yes, they do.

The Democratic primary race between Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., forges onward with no decisive end in sight. Candidates grapple with more and more buffoonish mudslinging as the April 22 Pennsylvania primary looms, waiting to clarify the direction of one of the most groundbreaking elections in U.S. history.

Unlike past presidential primaries, two candidates practically identical in ideology stand at the pulpit. Also unlike past presidential primaries, the election boils down to two core issues: race and gender.

This fact infuriates the electorate beyond visible comprehension specifically because neither issue has any weight whatsoever on a candidate’s qualifications. Determining whom you’re voting for based on uncontrollable and inconsequential factors in the candidates’ genetic makeup is not only ignorant; it’s wholly demonstrative of the social decay of modern American society.

Yet, I’ve heard “Hillary’s a heinous bitch” as justification for supporting Obama more times than I can stomach.

The conversation goes something like this: “So who do you support in the primary?”

“Obama.”

“Oh, OK. Why?”

“You know, he’s like, got good ideas and stuff. He actually has a plan. He isn’t a flip-flopper, you know, on bills and whatever.”

“Oh, like which bills?”

“Well … the war one … he’s just really smart.”

“Which war one?”

“Uh … Hillary’s just a bitch and Obama will do a lot better.”

The truth eventually surfaces. Forget illegal immigration and fiscal responsibility. Hillary is a bitch. That’s enough.

Not to mention, she’s “shrill,” “controlling,” “emotional” and “overly ambitious.” I for one would prefer a not-so-ambitious president. She cries, too, because ZOMG TEARS automatically nullifies her credibility. Oh, and she’s just going to get her period and hit the “NUKE ‘EM” button. I know I would.

Sexism at its finest.

Intelligent, powerful women are always labeled the same: bitchy, cold, bra-burners — take your pick. Women are exponentially devalued as they age — all of these traits are strikes against Clinton, making her the perfect target for uncorroborated slander.

Women are objectified and subjugated, and women in leadership positions suffer far worse. Men and other women alike view powerhouses such as Clinton as threats. Someone with a baby-maker is telling you what to do!? You’re clearly a sissy-pants.

For every woman fighting for an equal role in society is a female playing up and capitalizing on her objectification. Jessica Alba has seen as many spreads in men’s magazines as there are characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. These women primarily use their bodies to make money and consequently perpetuate the myth that it’s OK to treat all women as commodities.

With this commodification comes a lucrative gender-specific power that, regardless of feminism strides, will always cast doubt over women having power in any other context — such as a presidential candidate.

Racism is equally deplorable; it has just received far more blatant forms of discrimination in which legal actions were eventually taken to remedy the situations (e.g. Jim Crow laws, etc.). Sexism is so institutionalized that it resides as the softer form of discrimination and is thus more widely accepted.

I can’t decide what’s more frustrating: that repressing women is still nationally embraced, or that it’s OK to form baseless opinions ultimately shaping the legal, economic and social makeup of the country.

It takes five minutes to look up anything about presidential candidates — their past governmental positions, the bills and legislation they support, their plans for office, social and economic viewpoints and so on. A quick Google search and you’re back to “World of Warcraft” in no time.

Regardless of whom you support, back it up with something not rooted in your inability to see beyond bigotry. If you hate Hillary, then hate Hillary, but for the love of everything, substantiate your opinion.

Do you really want to have something in common with KFC?

Catherine Fish is the State News production crew chief. Reach her at fishcath@msu.edu.