Why not here? What's holding us back from putting a woman in the White House - Velshi - MSNBC

[Rhiannon12866]

In the past three election cycles the United States has had two chances to elect a woman president. And both times, the least qualified candidate in modern history has beaten two objectively well qualified women for the job. President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign “did a full court press on the institutionalized misogyny that is very much a part of American life,” said Molly Jong-Fast.

But the United States could be doing more to normalize and encourage women in leadership. “Other countries have invested a lot more in closing some of these gender gaps in politics and outside of politics than the U.S.,” said Professor of Gender & Politics at Royal Holloway University of London Jennifer Piscopo. - Aired on 11/10/2024.

[yankee87]

1. After Gen X

Thought it might happen with the Boomer generation, but no. Gen X is even worse than boomer with their misogyny.
It will happen after all Gen X is gone.

[love_katz]

5. I know that we Boomers aren't perfect.

But, most of us faced off with the richest, most powerful government in the world, with the most powerful military and a hostile law enforcement as well.

The women's rights movement started up in the late 1960's, as women began to talk to each other about the misogyny we experienced everywhere, even in the various social justice and anti-war movements.

For lots of reasons, a great deal of what we were trying to accomplish was not finished, at least not in ways that would protect our gains from future attacks.

Women barely managed to climb out from the oppression brought on by discrimination. It wasn't enough. We never managed to get the ERA passed, which is what we really need.

The fright wing began working to undermine all social justice gains, and all regulations that keep businesses from raping the planet and establishing an oligarchy.

Gen X grew up in the Reagan era. Toxic faux patriotism and fanatical religious propaganda was everywhere, and anyone who spoke out against it was accused of being a communist and a traitor to America. After 911, all this horrible stuff got cranked up to 11, and anyone who tried to speak out was shouted down.
Those of us who are progressive have had little luck in getting results let alone getting those results to stick.

This old boomer is pretty tired. I don't know what to say. I wish that it all would have turned out like we hoped for, back in the 1960's.

[TwilightZone]

2. We'd already have one if Trump hadn't had 100 things go right in 2016.

Trump needed about 100 things to go exactly right to win in 2016, and every one did. He needed slim margins in a few states, he needed a third party to draw just enough votes in swing states, Comey influence, low turnout, 30 years of RW propaganda, apathy on the left, campaign missteps (WI, etc.), and on and on and on.

Everything went his way and he still barely won. The glass ceiling isn't as firm as it appears.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. And yet he still took office after receiving over three million fewer votes!

The outmoded Electoral College disenfranchises millions of American voters yet the Republicans still support it since they know that's their only hope of "winning" elections.

[TwilightZone]

4. We have to work with what we have.

It's frustrating, certainly, but we don't have much choice. It doesn't help that there's so much focus on national polls, which outside of influencing an opinion here or there and giving a vague summary of the race, are mostly useless, even when they're accurate.

[Mark.b2]

6. I'm hesitant to bring up this highly successful female leader, but if we can set aside her political leanings....

Last edited Mon Nov 11, 2024, 01:41 AM - Edit history (1)

for purposes of this discussion, I think valid points can be made. I stipulate I cant think of one issue of major importance with which I agree with her on. And the purpose of my post is NOT to debate her policies. I am, in good faith, trying to describe the type of woman I think would break through the glass ceiling here in the US.

I’m referring to Margaret Thatcher, long-time Prime Minister of the Uk from 1979-1990. Her nickname was”The Iron Lady.”

I became interested in her after the movie where she was played by Meryl Streep. I’ve read quotes from the liberal Ms. Streep where she expreses admiration and respect for Thatcher.

She came from a middle class upbringing, working in her dad’s grocery store. She came from well outside of London. She climbed the ladder within the Tory party to become the party leader and finally PM. She didnt have a “name” that opened doors. She wasnt part of the aristocracy. She married and raised kids, while tending to her political career. She didnt benefit from her husband’s name or his prior position. She had to earn each rung of the ladder as she climbed, and she wasnt particularly well-liked, because she was a woman, tough, serious, and intelligent (but not in a pedantic, elite, academic way). She wasnt a feminist, and she didnt consider her being a woman her most important trait. She just happened to be one.

She was someone who aspired to be a great leader of a once great nation in need of one, and being the first woman this or that wasnt a big deal to her. Reportedly, Queen Elizabeth, with whom she met nearly weekly, was a little intimidated by her early on, But, mutual respect grew over the years. The Queen eventually went to Thatcher’s funeral in 2013. The only other commoner PM funeral she attended? Winston Churchill.

By most measures, the two greatest British PMs in the last 150 years were Churchill and Thatcher. They arent celebrated as one male PM and one female. No, (again, politics aside) they were great because they were consequential, greatly respected, and constantly turned to by other world leaders

Here in America, a woman cant make it past dog catcher before her gender is her main identity. Then, we must know where she stands on abortion, because obviously women think about it after every breath. Then, we obsess over what other women think of her. And God forbid she hold a view on a womens’ issue counter to the ‘mainstream.’

I dont see voters at present supporting a candidate, who just happens to be a woman, without her being a women being central to who she is and thus central to the campaign. I dont think the vast majority of men voters are opposed to a woman president. They just dont want her gender to be all-consuming.

All that said, I dont know of an American female leader today who could fit the Thatcher mode. But, if she’s out there, absolutely she could be President someday.