Another election, another
glass ceiling unbroken. Once again, a female Democratic candidate—Kamala Harris
this time—lost in her bid for the presidency, leaving many to question: Why is
America still reluctant to elect a woman to the highest office? For some, this
is a harsh reminder of Hillary Clinton’s defeat in 2016. Both Clinton and
Harris faced Donald Trump, and both struggled against sexism and complex
political headwinds. Are we really not ready for a woman president, or is
something more nuanced at play?
Harris’s and Clinton’s Campaigns: Same Result, Different Paths
Kamala Harris and Hillary
Clinton each ran unique campaigns, shaped by lessons from their predecessors.
Clinton embraced her identity as a potential “first” and highlighted her gender
with pride, donning her iconic white pantsuit under a literal glass ceiling.
Harris, however, took a more subdued approach, focusing on her policies rather
than the history-making nature of her candidacy.
Did either strategy stand
a chance? According to many Democratic insiders, the results suggest the
country’s hesitation goes beyond campaign choices. Harris and Clinton’s
opponents leveraged deeply ingrained biases, using language and tactics
designed to remind Americans of perceived “weaknesses” tied to gender. Trump,
who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct and repeatedly used demeaning
language toward women, even gained support among key demographic groups in
2024.
Is Gender Still the Issue?
For some, the outcome
suggests America’s reluctance to place a woman in the Oval Office. “The country
is still sexist and not ready for a woman president,” said Patti Solis Doyle, a
veteran Democratic strategist. This sentiment resonates with those who watched
Harris face not only the general challenges of running for office but also the
additional hurdle of overt misogyny, as Trump and his supporters frequently
undermined her with gendered insults.
However, others see the
outcome differently. Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow believes any
Democratic candidate would’ve struggled, given the political landscape.
McMorrow argues that “it’s about something much bigger” than just gender.
The Role of Public Perception and Cultural Bias
Since Clinton’s campaign,
the U.S. has seen a marked rise in female leaders across state and local
levels. In 2023, for instance, a record twelve women served as governors. Yet
some argue that a woman president faces unique obstacles not encountered at lower
levels of government. National security, military issues, and perceived
strength on foreign policy continue to impact how female leaders are viewed on
a national scale. Harris’s opponents often used this stereotype against her,
with Trump supporters labeling her “weak” and “inexperienced” on issues that
many associate with traditional masculinity.
In a nation where
cultural shifts like the #MeToo movement and the Women’s March have heightened
awareness of gender equality, one might expect these biases to be shrinking.
Yet exit polls tell another story: Trump’s lead among men widened, and Harris’s
performance among women dropped compared to previous Democratic candidates.
A Hard Question for Women Voters
The reality remains
particularly difficult for Democratic women who saw Trump’s victory as a blow
to progress on gender issues. Some, like North Carolina state Sen. Sydney
Batch, call for an introspective look into why many white women, despite
Trump’s track record on women’s issues, still voted for him. “I need white
women to dig deep and figure out why they, to this day, given all Donald
Trump’s sexism, all of his racism, still voted for him,” she said.
This trend, combined with
setbacks like the rollback of Roe v. Wade and ongoing cultural battles over
gender roles, adds weight to the argument that America is still grappling with
outdated views of female leadership.
The Way Forward: Building Resilience Amid Setbacks
In her concession speech,
Harris didn’t focus on the symbolic nature of her candidacy. Instead, she urged
her supporters to “never give up.” It’s a reminder of the endurance required to
pursue change—especially in a system that can feel resistant to it. For those
still hoping to see a woman president, the message is clear: more work remains.
Whether that work is in changing minds or addressing cultural biases,
Democratic women are committed to moving forward, even if progress seems
painfully slow.
What Do You Think?
Is America truly ready
for a woman in the Oval Office, or do lingering biases still hold us back?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep this conversation going.
