Whose afraid of Hilary Clinton?

By now everyone knows there is a presidential election coming up. I'm a bit perplexed though. I hear every side complain and moan about the other. However, never do I hear people proclaim the end is nigh so much as when they talk about the chance Hillary Clinton may be elected.
Why?
I mean she has negatives as well as positives. She, as far as I can tell is better than some running and worse than others. Pretty much no more awful than any politician. So why all the world war three dramatics?
I mean, really. You may not realize how much people (many in the media, and many politicians) hate Hillary Clinton. Not just hate, but HATE her.
For example;
A local radio talk show host (to be fair I really enjoy this show and listen regularly) spoke about how Hillary will not answer any questions posed to her. The radio show host went on to say a person who will not answer questions cannot be trusted.
At this very moment I am watching the BBC and they have just shown a reporter yelling questions at Hillary Clinton as she was walking from one venue to another. Guess what? She answered the questions yelled at her.
The media that leans right (conservative) speaks about Clinton as though she were the devil incarnate. Don't get me wrong, the conservatives do not like any of the Democrats, but they don't talk anything near as hateful about Obama or Edwards as they do Clinton.
Why?
My roommate, whom I trust to a great extent believes it's because Hilary Clinton is a woman.
I immediately started to argue with her on that. Then, I realized. She's right. For whatever reason many conservatives, and some liberals, are petrified by the idea a woman could become president.
Now that is bizarre. A country that has always pretended to be one of the most forward thinking is scared of what may happen should a woman (something never elected before) become president?
I feel as though I am actually witnessing history. I know it is historic already that a woman, an African American and Hispanic all have a legitimate claim to the presidency. It just didn't feel that way until now.
The fear and hate (something that goes hand and hand in the U.S.) of this possible REAL change where a woman could be president has solidified in me the fact that this IS historic. I can feel this history in the making. Wow. That's heavy.
So is that why people seem to hate her so much? Because she is something that has never been before? Because she is a real change?
If so, then I have only one thing to say to those who are afraid;

Grow the fu#% up!