The withdrawal of Elizabeth Warren from the Presidential race has left many wondering whether a woman will be President in their lifetime. Of course, sexism played a role in undermining her candidacy. Some of it was overt. The Wall Street Journal said on Thursday that her take down of Mayor Bloomberg regarding his vulgar comments directed at women was an exercise in “identity politics.” Since when is it ultra-sensitive to complain that women are singled out by the boss for vulgar comments based on their appearance?
Many drew the lesson that Hillary Clinton’s defeat showed that the nomination of a woman was risky business. Yet, she won the popular vote by 3 million votes. Of course, there was sexism which helped fuel the dislike that so many millions had for her. 52% of men voted for Trump; 41% for Clinton. 54% of women voted for Clinton; 39% for Trump.
Beyond this Clinton suffered from the intervention of the Russians, the shenanigans of James Comey, the candidacy of Jill Stein, the failure to go to important swing states late in the race, and the large number of voters who stayed home because they were sure that Trump could not win. To conclude from this that a woman cannot win the Presidency is entirely unwarranted.
Indeed, the prospect of a woman President is growing quite large. It is likely that Biden or Sanders both approaching 80 years old will pick a woman Vice President, and the stresses of the Presidency are unlikely to increase life expectancy.
It is also possible that Trump (whose age, waist line, stress level, and his suspicious trip for the “first installment” of his physical suggests that his health is risky) will dispense with Pence and pick a woman Vice Presidential candidate for 2020.
Many doubt that they will see a woman President in their lifetime. But it may be sooner than you think.
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