The short answer is: Yes. In fact, we’ve learned from Donald Trump’s election that anything is possible. So, why not a woman U.S. president for the first time in history? And I don’t mean to be facetious. Sexism is a serious issue, especially from Donald Trump should he run against a woman. The outcome of such an election, however, will largely depend on who shows up to vote, how enlightened they are about the issues that matter most, and whether hacking will once again play a significant role.
We’ve learned that there is a greater likability burden on female candidates and that their flaws and mistakes are fodder for many in the press who can’t seem to help themselves. As we read and hear such criticisms, we should remember that leadership is not the purview of males alone, though it has certainly been largely their prerogative.
After Donald Trump won the election in 2016, I posted this blog on Huffington Post about the gender issues that Hillary Clinton faced: This Should Be A Sexism Wake-up Call To Young Women. Hopefully, the 2016 election was a sufficient wake-up call for Americans to recognize that gender stereotypes can blind voters to what really matters.
After Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders deal with who said what to whom and in what manner about whether a woman candidate can win in 2020, our energy should be focused on making sure the task of choosing the best candidate to face Donald Trump is not side-tracked.
