By Christopher M Peeks October 15th, 2024
I vaguely recall Walter Mondale's unpopular choice to join him on the 1984 Democratic ticket. At the time, I did not comprehend the reason why the electorate held so much disdain for New York Representative Geraldine Ferraro. I do, though, remember picking up the vibe that a female seeking the vice presidency was taboo, but at seven, a kid doesn't understand that. I have learned a lot since then.
Geraldine Ferraro is known as a trailblazer for female politicians. Let us not forget though that Shirley Chisholm is best remembered as not only the first female but, ironically, the first black female to seek either major party's nomination for president in 1972. Still, the one-time New York prosecutor was the first female to be a serious contender for the executive branch. Not until Hillary Clinton sought the Democratic nomination in 2008 did another come that close.
There is no arguing that what propelled her advancement from first lady to Senator is the Clinton name. However, her grit and determination are why she emerged as the party's leader. The Democratic bosses intended the 2008 primaries to be ceremonial, not a contest. Instead of the other candidates
coalescing around Clinton, the nominating process turned into a knife fight between her and Senator Obama. Instead of Madam President, she became Secretary Clinton.
In 2016, after four years as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was again destined to become the first female president. Yet she suffered a heart-wrenching upset defeat. When examining the exit polls, Clinton did poorly with white female voters, losing them to Donald Trump. Her numbers with black voters, both male and female, were down as well. Underperforming with these two key demographics prevented her from ascending to the presidency.
Secretary Clinton's voter apathy, as well as Representative Ferraro, is not why her share of the black but, more importantly, the female vote fell far below expectations. Females are already disadvantaged in society, and when they step into the arena seeking public office, not only is their battle with men challenging enough, but they must also deal with other females. Females differ from males in that while men side with the male candidate, that is not the case with females. Women do not like strong women. It is what it is.
The vice president faces an even more harrowing road to Pennsylvania Avenue because she is a woman of color. However, this is overcomable with a Barack Obama type candidate. But Harris is not, and if Hillary Clinton did not enthuse black and female voters then, they can't stand Kamala Harris.
I do not believe in identity politics, but not being born into a marginalized minority group, I do not know what it's like to feel discrimination. Therefore, I understand when one of these groups gets behind a candidate like Catholics did supporting John Kennedy in 1960 and, more recently, black voters turning out in more numbers for Barack Obama. He got 93% in 2008, about 3 to 5% better than a Democratic candidate usually does. The black voters that in other races went with the Republican candidate chose Senator Obama to vote for the first black president. I get that.
When analyzing polling numbers with black voters, the data screams out. Kamala Harris is only garnering 79% support overall, 11% below average, and what's worse is her numbers with black females. President Obama won this demographic by 91%, yet Vice President Harris only received 71% support.
One would think female voters, especially black females, would be mobilizing to elect the first black female as president. But the fact that Barack Obama has been dispatched as the liaison to convince black voters to support her speaks volumes about how disliked she is. In a move that reeks of desperation, she is promising to do away with student loans, tax credits for businesses, and decriminalizing marijuana after her draconian record as Attorney General in California on this matter.
Kamala Harris is underperforming across the board in every demographic except one: college-educated whites living in the suburbs. The message from the voters is overwhelmingly clear. The American people do not like Kamala Harris.
Christopher M Peeks
Reporter and Columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
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