Hillary Clinton Advocates for Kamala Harris as First Female President

At the Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton expressed her hope that Kamala Harris will shatter the “highest, hardest glass ceiling” by becoming the first female president of the United States. Clinton, who herself made history by being the first woman to secure a major party’s presidential nomination, drew parallels between her journey and Harris’s potential achievement.

“When a barrier falls for one of us, it clears the way for all of us,” Clinton stated, reflecting on her 2016 convention speech. Despite her historic bid for the presidency in 2016, which ended in defeat to Donald Trump, Clinton remains optimistic about Harris’s prospects. As the Democratic Party seeks to put a woman in the White House, Clinton emphasized the progress made and the future possibilities.

“Together, we’ve put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling,” Clinton said. “On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris raising her hand and taking the oath of office as our 47th President of the United States.”

Delegates and politicians at the 2024 DNC in Chicago observed that the political landscape has evolved since Clinton’s campaign. Unlike Clinton, Harris has chosen not to emphasize her gender prominently in her campaign. The effectiveness of this strategy and whether it is sufficient to propel her to the presidency remains uncertain.

Minyon Moore, chair of the Democratic National Convention Committee, acknowledged Clinton’s impact but noted the ongoing challenges. “Mrs Clinton shattered a lot of glass for many people,” Moore said. “But it’s not easy. We’re trying to shift the mindset of people.”

Women in politics continue to face obstacles both in running for office and while serving. Mallory McMorrow, a state senator from Michigan, recalled a comment made by a constituent during her 2018 campaign. The woman questioned McMorrow’s suitability for office because of her status as a mother, stating, “This is not a job for a mom.” Despite this, McMorrow became the second senator in Michigan history to give birth while in office.

Judy Mount, the first African-American female chair of the Florida Democrats, highlighted the slow progress for women in leadership roles. “People just do not want to see a woman in charge of anything,” she said. “They do not.”

During her 2016 presidential run, Clinton faced significant criticism related to her appearance, clothing, and even the sound of her voice. Deloris Hudson, an Ohio delegate at the DNC, noted that Clinton entered the race with more “baggage” compared to other candidates, including public scrutiny of her relationship with former President Bill Clinton. Hudson pointed out that many women judged Clinton harshly for staying with her husband after his affair with Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern.

Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016 was a pivotal moment that ignited widespread activism, including women’s marches and a surge in female candidates in 2018. As a result, women now make up 28.5% of the House of Representatives, up from 19.1% in 2017, according to Pew Research Center. Furthermore, the percentage of Americans who believe men are better suited for politics than women has steadily decreased over the past decade, as reported by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center.

Today, Kamala Harris faces a different environment than Clinton did. McMorrow observed that the increased number of women in politics has provided more freedom and flexibility for female candidates. “Since then, we’ve seen more women running and winning at every single level,” McMorrow said. “It allows us more freedom and flexibility to be ourselves.”

While Harris’s aides and supporters have highlighted the sexism she has encountered throughout her career, Harris has opted to focus on her achievements rather than her gender. Unlike Clinton, who built her campaign around the slogan “I’m with Her,” Harris has avoided emphasizing her gender identity. This shift reflects both an intentional strategy and a natural evolution in the political landscape, according to McMorrow. “There are so many more of us [women politicians] that I don’t think you have to mention it anymore,” she said.

Harris’s supporters, including women and voters of color, have been instrumental in her campaign, raising substantial funds and presenting her as a dynamic alternative to the 78-year-old Trump. Her candidacy has injected momentum into the Democratic ticket as the election approaches.

For some Democrats, like U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan, Harris’s potential victory represents significant progress for women in politics. However, Dingell emphasized that there is still work to be done to ensure inclusivity. “We need to make sure that we include everybody, that no demographic feels left behind because someone else succeeds,” Dingell said. “As a country, I think that’s something we’ve got to continue to work at.”