Elizabeth Warren – between Trump’s influence and Hillary’s failure. What awaits the only female candidate left in the US Election race.
What seemed to be a sure victory for Hillary Clinton turned into bitter defeat, anguish and caused division amongst democratic ideologies. In the months that followed, many blamed the loss on sexism. Clinton herself reiterated this idea and mentioned the “double standards” women are held to in public life during a promotional tour for her latest memoir.
Many wondered if, in the “Me too” era, pushing the idea that women are discriminated against and are not judged solely on their merits, would be enough to insure the democratic party that, if a female candidate succeeds in gaining traction, the voters will, this time, back her up.
Ever since announcing her campaign is early January, Elizabeth Warren appeared to stay as far away from this topic as possible and has repeatedly shut down questions from reporters implying any notion of gender, discrimination or sexism.
In Sioux City, while delivering her pitch, a reporter described voters who are frustrated that female political candidates get treated differently than male candidates, and wanted to know: “How will you deal with that?”
“I’m just going to keep talking about the things that pull me into this race. And it’s about everybody getting a fighting chance,” Warren said.
Now, nearly 12 months later, Warren remains as the sole female Democratic competitor with any realistic chance in the run for the White House and she is keen on reminding voters how extraordinary this is. The 70-year-old senator is constantly polling in the double digits nation wide along with former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
But, with Clinton’s defeat still lingering amongst voters and party members alike, can Elizabeth Warren convince the democratic caucuses that she is the right choice, despite her gender? Biden described Warren’s approach to politics as “angry“ or “condescending” and male colleagues – as reported by Warren- have advised her to “smile more” and discouraged her from running for Senate in 2012 because it would be “too hard for a woman to win”. A New York Times poll released last month captured how sexism likely presents a real obstacle for female candidates like Warren. Four in 10 of the voters who support Biden but not Warren said they agree with the statement that most women who run for president “just aren’t likable.”
More so, with growing tensions in the White House, an impeachment inquiry that could swing voters in any direction and the Democratic Primaries coming up in 2020, this is the moment for Warren to choose what defines her campaign. Her support among women is swindling and Biden and Sanders are leading the polls comfortably with a +10 and +13 points ahead Warren. Next week’s debate stage will offer us a better visual of the Democratic field. Seven candidates have qualified to participate in the Los Angeles debate, and only two of them are women: Warren and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. This debate will also be Warren’s chance to either detach herself from any gender related topics or fully embrace a life long dream of many who are too scared to even say it out loud: becoming the first female US President of the United States.
By: J. Costa
