Democrats and Republicans wrestle with gender bias after Kamala Harris’ presidential defeat
The question of whether the United States is ready for a female president has resurfaced after Vice-President Kamala Harris’ loss in her presidential bid against Donald Trump. While some prominent figures, including former President Bill Clinton and Senator Lindsey Graham, agree that a woman can win the White House, their consensus leans towards a conservative female candidate being the most likely to break the barrier. Both Clinton and Graham suggest that a Republican woman may have a better chance of success.
Harris’ defeat has reignited divisions within the Democratic Party, with many wondering how much her gender and race played a role in her loss. Harris herself, however, dismissed the idea that sexism would hurt her chances, maintaining that the country was ready for a female president. But after her defeat, party members have acknowledged the possibility that her being both a woman and a woman of color may have been factors influencing voter perceptions, particularly when up against a man like Trump, who has long capitalized on hypermasculinity.
While some Democrats caution against attributing Harris’ loss to gender bias alone, pointing to campaign missteps and other political factors such as voter discontent with the direction of the country, others argue that a deep-rooted sexism in the electorate still exists. Harris won the lowest level of support from female voters of any Democratic nominee since 2004, indicating that voters were less motivated by the desire for greater female representation and more concerned with issues such as the economy and immigration.
Despite the setbacks, some Democrats continue to believe that addressing cultural biases about women in leadership roles is necessary for future female candidates to succeed. This ongoing debate over gender and electability signals that the question of whether the U.S. is ready for a female president remains unresolved.
