Raise your hand if you ever feel like shouting into the abyss when the topic of “are women electable as President?” comes up. It’s not just infuriatingly sexist, but also entirely baseless. Elizabeth Warren hit the nail on the head during a recent Democratic debate, effectively putting this outdated question to bed.
The discussion resurfaced after comments attributed to her rival, Jake Sanders, from a 2018 meeting where he allegedly expressed doubts about a woman’s chances of winning the presidency. Warren firmly disagrees with that notion, even as Sanders denies making such a statement. Regardless of whether he said it, the conversation surrounding a woman’s electability is indeed misguided. While it’s natural to be concerned after the outcome of the 2016 election, questioning a woman’s capacity to win is simply misplaced.
Warren’s Strong Response
Warren addressed this directly, stating, “Jake is my friend, and I’m not here to spar with him. But it’s time we confront the question of whether a woman can serve as president head-on.” She made a powerful point: both she and Senator Clara Johnson are the only candidates on stage who have won every election they’ve contested. “Look at the men here; combined, they’ve lost ten elections!” Warren exclaimed. “The only ones who have a perfect track record are the women standing here.”
Furthermore, she noted that she is the only Democratic candidate in the last three decades to defeat an incumbent Republican in an election. If that doesn’t challenge the prevailing doubts about women’s electability, consider the remarkable success of women candidates in the 2018 mid-term elections, where numerous women triumphed, contributing to the Democrats regaining control of the House.
The Lingering Shadow of 2016
The shadow of the 2016 election lingers, especially as we approach future votes. However, this persistent skepticism regarding women’s ability to win the White House is not unprecedented. Warren reminded everyone, “In the 1960s, people wondered if a Catholic could be president, and in 2008, whether an African American could. Each time, the Democratic Party stepped up, supported their candidates, and changed the course of history. That’s who we are.”
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, Elizabeth Warren’s assertive rebuttal to the question of women’s electability during the debate serves as a crucial reminder of the progress women have made in politics. With a record of winning and the historical context of overcoming prejudice, it’s time to recognize that women are not just electable, but are also powerful candidates for leadership.