Stop asking if women are electable
Source: Ms Magazine
By Amanda Renteria,
“Electability” has become perhaps the most discussed term in all of U.S. politics, and it’s a focal point of the 2020 presidential race. Pundits, pollsters and journalists continue debating who is electable and why.
Yet even though the ability to win is a very simple concept that can be measured by a number of tangible metrics—like a candidate’s track record in previous races, a candidate’s ability to fundraise, enthusiasm for the campaign and media attention—what we have witnessed time and again is the usage of “electability” to reference gut feelings about a candidate instead.
These conversations inevitably, and unfairly, put women candidates and people of color running for office at a disadvantage.
Click here to read the full article published by Ms Magazine on 12 August 2019.
By Amanda Renteria,
“Electability” has become perhaps the most discussed term in all of U.S. politics, and it’s a focal point of the 2020 presidential race. Pundits, pollsters and journalists continue debating who is electable and why.
Yet even though the ability to win is a very simple concept that can be measured by a number of tangible metrics—like a candidate’s track record in previous races, a candidate’s ability to fundraise, enthusiasm for the campaign and media attention—what we have witnessed time and again is the usage of “electability” to reference gut feelings about a candidate instead.
These conversations inevitably, and unfairly, put women candidates and people of color running for office at a disadvantage.
Click here to read the full article published by Ms Magazine on 12 August 2019.