Key Takeaways
- A Politico poll reveals younger Americans are less likely than older generations to support electing a female president.
- Female presidential candidates face a 'double bind,' penalized for appearing both too strong and not strong enough.
- Research indicates a systemic bias, penalizing female presidential candidates by 2.4 percentage points.
- Voters evaluate female candidates for president differently than those running for other high offices.
- The first female U.S. president may be a Republican with a traditionally masculine leadership style, similar to Margaret Thatcher.
Deep Dive
- Michael Smerconish introduces a Politico poll revealing Americans under 50 are less likely than older demographics to support electing a female president, a finding described as surprising.
- The Atlantic's Olga Khazan links this data to a perceived 'regression from feminism' and questions about gender equality, contrasting it with older generations shaped by earlier feminist movements.
- The poll, commissioned by American University, indicates four in 10 Americans know someone who would not vote for a female president.
- The discussion highlights that voters often perceive the president as a unique figure, frequently expected to embody a 'fatherly representation' of America.
- The host posits the first female U.S. president will likely be a Republican, suggesting a figure with a more traditionally masculine leadership style, potentially like Margaret Thatcher.
- The guest agrees, noting a female candidate would need significant 'environmental tailwinds,' such as a strong economy, to minimize the impact of her gender on voter perception.
- Female candidates face a 'double bind,' penalized for not appearing strong enough but also for exhibiting traditionally masculine traits, creating a tightrope walk.
- Hillary Clinton was criticized for not being feminine enough, even when engaging in activities like baking.
- Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found in a hypothetical experiment that voters penalize female presidential candidates by 2.4 percentage points, potentially impacting close elections.
- Pollster Robert Cahaly, known for his 'southern charm' and unique in-person polling methodology, is referenced.
- Politico reports that nearly one in five voters would not back a qualified female presidential candidate.
- This reluctance is more pronounced in younger demographics, with 25% of women under 50 and 20% of men under 50 expressing this view, compared to 13% of those over 50.
- The poll's findings specifically note that voters under 50 are the least open to electing a female president, with 46% of this age group knowing someone who would not vote for a woman.
- Republicans and younger voters are cited as key demographics contributing to this sentiment.
- A caller from New York expresses willingness to vote for a female president based on values, suggesting Tulsi Gabbard as a candidate they would have supported.
- A caller, Andy, states that a candidate's perceived morality and policy platforms, such as those of Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, can be more significant than gender.
- Andy suggests Condoleezza Rice could be a viable presidential candidate due to her strong presentation and foreign policy experience, balancing perceived femininity with strength.
- Caller Bill believes Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris lost due to their platforms, not their gender, suggesting a female candidate with a strong 'country first' platform could win.
- Caller Fred attributes Hillary Clinton's losses to the 'aftermath' and public perception of dishonesty, characterizing Kamala Harris as the weakest candidate he had seen.
- A caller challenges the idea of an economic tailwind for candidates and questions the strength of Republican women candidates.
- The caller suggests Republican women may be too tied to the Trump base, making it difficult for them to establish independent brands.