This archive report was first published on 29 June 2019.
As of June 29, 2019, the Democratic primary has seen a surge in female candidates' performances, with Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris standing out in the recent debates. However, some women voters, like Sharon Hamill, a 59-year-old insurance agent from South Carolina, still express concerns about electing a female president, citing the potential for sexism and backlash.
Despite these concerns, the debates have demonstrated the strength and charisma of female candidates. Warren's well-developed ideas and clear vision for the presidency, as well as Harris's fierce and joyful demeanor, have made them standout performers. The question now is whether these victories can convince Democratic women to believe once again that a woman can beat Donald Trump in 2020.
Sexism and Electability ¶
The 2016 presidential election, which saw Hillary Clinton's defeat, still casts a shadow over the current primary. Many feminists, including the author, believe that sexism played a significant role in Clinton's loss. The proliferation of misogynistic imagery and chants during the 2016 campaign has led some to worry that another female candidate will face similar challenges.
However, as the author notes, every candidate has something to overcome. Bernie Sanders would need to address widespread fear of socialism, while Joe Biden has demonstrated his inability to justify his long record in public life. Sexism is a disadvantage, but it's not the only one, and it needn't be the same sort of disadvantage that it was in 2016.
A New Era for Female Candidates ¶
The 2018 midterms showed a widespread eagerness to put women in office, and the current debates have given reason to believe that a woman can lead the fight against Donald Trump. The author suggests that it's not riskier to back the women who won the debates than the men who lost them. With Warren and Harris's strong performances, the Democratic Party may have found its best hope for the 2020 election.
In 2007 and 2008, Barack Obama's campaign faced similar concerns about electability, particularly among African-American voters in South Carolina. However, after Obama's win in Iowa, black voters began to have hope. Similarly, the author argues that gender functions differently than race, but most women don't want Trump to be president, and the 2018 midterms have shown a desire to put women in office.
