URGENT UPDATE: A heated debate on The View today has spotlighted the potential for a female, particularly a conservative, candidate to win the U.S. presidency. Co-hosts Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin engaged in a provocative discussion that explored the challenges women face in political leadership, especially regarding race and sexism.
During the episode, Behar asserted that “a conservative woman would win” the presidency “faster than a liberal” candidate, igniting a discussion about the political landscape. Producer Brian Teta asked if the nation is becoming more comfortable with women in leadership, prompting Hostin to respond, “Maybe a woman, but not a black woman, ever. Not in my lifetime.”
Behar suggested that someone like Liz Cheney could make a viable candidate, despite her current standing within the Republican Party. “I think maybe a conservative woman would win faster than a liberal,” she emphasized. Teta concurred, stating, “A lot of people think that.”
Hostin, however, pointedly highlighted racial barriers in her response. “A white conservative woman, yes,” she clarified, underscoring the pervasive misogyny and racism that she believes hinder the election of a female president. “There’s a lot of misogyny in this country,” she added, referencing the systemic issues rooted in America’s history.
The discussion included a reference to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s recent assertion that the United States is “not ready for a woman” to take the presidency. Behar noted that countries like Italy, Iceland, and Mexico have successfully elected female leaders, questioning why the U.S. has not followed suit. “I don’t think that we’re not ready,” she argued, pointing to the flawed candidacies of Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris as reflective of broader societal issues.
Hostin, drawing from her personal experience as an Afro Latina, emphasized the deeply entrenched racism and misogyny that she believes would impede a black woman’s ascent to the presidency. “This is a country based on racism and slavery, and founded in it,” she stated emphatically.
The conversation on The View has sparked significant discussion across social media platforms, as viewers react to the stark realities of gender and race in American politics. As the debate continues, it remains clear that the path to a female presidential candidate is fraught with challenges that extend beyond gender alone.
As this dialogue unfolds, many are left asking: What will it take for the U.S. to elect a female president? Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
