Women and Political Leadership
Global evolution has seen the number of women participating and competing for political positions and roles. Studies show that in the past decade, more women across the globe have been elected to political positions.[1] For example in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as President of Liberia in 2005. Moreover, in Australia, in 2011, four out of the nine heads of government were women. Australia at the time also had a female Governor-General. In the United States, women have previously contested for the Presidential position. For example, in 2008, Hillary Rodham Clinton contested the presidential election though she lost to the current President Barrack Obama for the Democrats Party ticket. She was absorbed in President Obama’s government where she served as Secretary of State. There are several other women political leaders including Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated following a campaign rally in 2007, Angela Merkel of Germany, Pratibha Patil of India, and Michelle Bachelet of Chile.[2] The success of the mentioned female political leaders has stimulated interest in other women to run for political positions.[3] The recent addition onto the long list of women interested in political affairs is Elizabeth Ann Warren. Currently, she is the Senator of Massachusetts, a political position she won on November 6, 2012 after trouncing Scott Brown, who was the incumbent at that time. With liberal Democrats hoping for her candidature, it seems clear that Elizabeth Ann Warren will join the race for the 2016 presidential elections in the United States. This is despite her public declaration that she is not in the race for the coveted position. The race between her and her political rival Hillary Clinton for the Democrats Party seems interesting. The latter has announced that she will be running for Presidency in 2016 elections, and this has prompted people to push Warren to join the race. There is a clear indication that if Warren joins the race, she will clinch the Democrats Party’s nomination and head for the elections.
The possibility of Elizabeth Warren becoming the first woman president of the US
If Elizabeth Warren decides to compete for the Democrats Party’s nomination in 2016 and wins, then there is the possibility of her becoming the first woman president of the United States. However, with Hillary Clinton’s declaration that she will be running for the top seat, Warren’s potential bid is threatened. Currently, as a senator, Warren’s industriousness has attracted the attention of many people who are pushing her to contest for the top seat.[4] Why is there a possibility that she could be the first woman president of the United States of America? Elizabeth Warren’s preparations are better off and are likely to give her an upper hand over her close political rivals such as Hillary Clinton. In 2014, there was an announcement that as the Senator of Massachusetts, Warren would visit Israel. This happened as she visited Israel at a time the country was holding its midterm elections. She was accompanied by a congressional delegation, who believed that she was well off in terms of her relationship with global leaders. Warren’s visit to Israel raised concern among people in the US, and most citizens, as well as political leaders, believed that her visit to Israel was an effort to strengthen her credibility in foreign affairs. This act could be significant in Warren’s bid for the 2016 presidential elections. There is a possibility of her gaining the support of foreign leaders and states, and this could increase her chances of becoming the first woman president of the United States.
When Warren declare that she would not join the race to White House, many of her fans and supporters were surprised. In fact, despite her statement, there is a group of her supporters who came up with a campaign named “Ready for Warren Super PAC”. The aim of this campaign group was to consolidate and raise funds that would play an integral role in supporting Warren’s campaigns come 2016. Many people were concerned with the campaign, and Warren came up to disown the campaign. Apparently, such indications should not be ignored owing to the fact that Warren seems a better choice for most people. The extent at which she is gaining popularity among American citizens could mean that there is a possibility of her becoming the first woman president of the United States of America, come 2016.
It should also be noted that the comments about Warren’s possible campaign could increase the possibility of her becoming the first woman president of the US. For instance, in 2013, Elizabeth Warren made an announcement that she was not in the race for the forthcoming presidential elections in 2013. Instead, she said that her commitment was directed towards serving out her term as the senator of Massachusetts. She said:
I am not running for president. I am working as hard as I can to be the best possible senator that I can be and to fight for the things that I promised during my campaign to fight for.
Warren’s comments were not received well by her supporters, and they prompted her to run for the top seat. This is a clear indication that if she were to contest for the seat, then there is a possibility of her becoming the first woman president of the country. Comments from leaders also indicate or rather show support for Warren’s presidential bid. For example, when former Rep. Barney was asked about Warren’s possible bid, he confirmed and was sure that she would contest the forthcoming presidential elections. Barney Frank confirmed his support for her and added that it was advisable that she rises to the top, because she had made a decision of getting into the profession when she contested and won the Massachusetts senatorial election in 2012. The comments by Barney Frank could have influenced and coerced a number of American citizens into supporting Warren’s presidential bid. Moreover, during Elizabeth Warren’s book tour in the US, she received numerous calls for her to run for the country’s top seat. In fact, during the book tour, one of her fans shouted “Run Liz, run!” Such comments hold water, and, therefore, there is a possibility that if Warren decides to join the race, then she could become the first woman president owing to the support she has from across the divide.
Apart from the comments and support from the general public, Elizabeth Warren has the support of some of the members of her Senate Campaign team. The fact that the campaign team did a good work and led to her winning the Senate seat of Massachusetts cannot be ignored. The members of the campaign team may have a lot to offer in Warren’s presidential bid. Sources indicate that some of her Senate Campaign Team members would like to participate in planning for her presidential campaign in 2016. Some of the members who have confirmed their support for Warren’s presidential bid include Doug Rubin, who was recommended by David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, to run Elizabeth Warren’s Senate Campaign in 2012. Another member of Warren’s team is Mandy Grunwald, Warren’s adviser during the election in 2012. Mindy Myers, who also played an integral role in President Obama’s success in 2008 and Warren’s in 2012, has also confirmed her support for Warren’s possible presidential campaign in 2016. With such a team and staff by her side, the possibility of Elizabeth Warren becoming the first woman president of the United States cannot be doubted. In fact, the decision of her former staff to support her presidential bid seems to threaten her rivals such as Hillary Clinton.
Warren’s commitment to the economic development of the US could also boost her chances of winning the presidential race. In 2014, Warren sponsored an act that gave a proposal that business taxpayers should be granted a tax credit for up to 20 percent, and this would be aimed at in-sourcing expenses that the taxpayers incurred while locating their businesses from the US to other countries, as well as relocating them within the United States. The act sponsored by Warren at the time also gave a proposal that taxation should be reduced for people who are interested in relocating their businesses outside the United States. As a senator, Warren also gave her support for the campaign that focused on ending the Bush tax cuts that were in place for people who earned more than $250,000. These are clear indications of Warren’s dedication and commitment to see the growth of the economy of the United States, and they could have an influence on her presidential bid in 2016.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Elizabeth Warren as a presidential candidate
In 2008, President Obama’s strengths saw him clinch the presidential seat. American citizens saw him as a visionary leader, which aimed at achieving economic growth for the United States. He was also seen as a leader who would enhance US’s relations with other foreign countries, especially the Asian countries.[5] A similar situation faces Elizabeth Warren, and her strengths could see her become the first woman president of the US. Warren is considered by many to have a compelling personality, and this makes her deeply concerned with middle-class people. With most of the American voters from the middle-class, this is one of her strengths that could see her clinch the seat. Warren has also been seen to have sparing sessions with Wall St. oligarchy, an aspect that President Obama has consistently avoided; hence, this could give her an upper hand in the elections. The other strength of Warren is her financial stability and ability. In order to win any political position, campaign strategies must be put in place, and these require financial support. This is an advantage that Warren has because in 2012, raised a lot of funds that surpassed that of her rival Brown, and this led to her winning the elections. A replication of this could be seen in 2016, with several groups of supports already making contributions to fund her presidential bid in the forthcoming elections.[6] Warren’s supporters have the belief that she can raise the money needed for the elections, and possibly, this could boost her chances of winning the election. The other strength that Elizabeth Warren has is that she is a woman, and the fact that no woman has ever been elected as the president of the United States could give her an upper hand over her male rivals in the 2016 presidential elections. The fact that the Republican Party and Wall St bullied her at one time when she was the best candidate to head the Consumer Financial Protection Board gives her an added advantage. It would be hard for a Republican Party to compete against Elizabeth Warren is she wins the Democrats Party’s nomination. A good number of American voters would rather vote for her than vote for the Republican Party candidate. She is believed to be a victim of evil actions in American politics. Apparently, her courage to withstand and overcome the bullying by other leaders is commendable. In fact, several voters argue that her courage would see her rule the United States effectively and authoritatively. Courage and ability to withstand pressure are a characteristic that is not evident in other candidates such as Hillary Clinton, and this would give Warren an upper hand. It argued that in case everything goes on well for Elizabeth Warren, the positive traits she possesses would see her win the presidential election in 2016, thus becoming the first woman president in American history. The other strength that Warren has at the moment is that she fits the national mood presently. Americans are not happy with the current regime and are campaigning for real change. Change in the country can only be brought by the Democrats Party, and no Democrat aspirant currently matches the standards set by Elizabeth Warren. It is argued that she is so passionate and effective about the issues such as income inequality, lack of functional governance, the rapid decline in America’s middle-class economy. Her stand on such issues has got the attention of the voters, and there is a possibility that she could win the forthcoming presidential elections.
Despite the strengths, Warren has various weaknesses that if not addressed, will see her lose the election to her political rivals. Warren’s ability to connect with average voters is questionable. Many people believe that the fact that she has a blue-collar background makes her connection with average voters questionable, and this could be a spot in her bid for the 2016 presidential elections if she does not address the issue. The other weakness is that she does not have money in its sufficiency, in order to successfully finance her campaign. In the world of politics, money is almost everything, as it can determine whether a candidate will succeed or fail. In her senatorial bid in 2012, although Brown has more finances than her, Warren went ahead to win the elections. Therefore, this should not be an issue of concern to her, although she needs to be financially prepared.[7] The other weakness that could work against Warren is the fact that she is a woman, and with the US at the helm of global politics and economy, the citizens would not want a woman president in control of the global economic and political affairs. Apparently, this would give the male candidates in the race an upper hand.
Warren’s Chances in the General Election
If the current mood and situation in the US is to go by, then Elizabeth Warren stands a better chance in the 2016 presidential elections. She has not only attracted the attention of the political class but also that of the average class. The support that Warren has garnered since she showed interest in America’s politics was amazing. Average voters are pushing her to run for the coveted seat, and despite her recent statements recently, there is a great possibility that she will contest and win the presidential election. The support of former political leaders such as Barney Frank has boosted her chances of winning the presidential election. Moreover, the support of her Senate Campaign team members that saw her become the first woman senator in Massachusetts has also enhanced her chances in the forthcoming general elections. What Warren needs to do is to confirm her candidature, and then she will be ready to go. Her only barrier is Democrats Party’s nomination, where she is set to battle it out with the former US Secretary of State and First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. However, with the fear that Clinton’s current standing in the polls will not last, Elizabeth Warren stands a better chance of winning the presidential elections.[8] It is should be noted that if Warren is elected as the president of the United States, then the economic and political situation will change drastically. Currently, she is a senator, and her efforts to see the American economy grow cannot be ignored. She might be one of the presidents America has been waiting for over the years. Her ability to connect and relate well with other global political leaders might also make her an effective president. This is evident when she recently visited Israel and was received well and appreciated by the Israeli leaders.
Why she is a good candidate for the campaign
Among the several candidates preparing for the presidential elections in 2016, Elizabeth Warren comes out as the best candidate. First, as shown by recent survey and research in the US, Warren fits the national mood in the country. American citizens and other political leaders have greatly criticized Obama’s regime, and many have considered it a failure. This is owed to the fact that in the recent years, the country has been on the wrong track. In fact, several citizens have the expectation that life will get worse in the next American generation. There are also arguments that the economic situation in the US currently favors the wealthy and ignores the poor.[9] It is seen that Warren is the perfect candidate to bring all these to an end. People see her as a leader who speaks passionately about issues that concern every person such as income inequality, poor governance, the decline in the American economy, as well as America’s relationship with other countries. Warren has also been seen to support and sponsor acts that are aimed at seeing the country head towards economic growth. Arguably, people see Warren as a serious candidate who would lead the US to a greater and successful future.
Bibliography
Crawford, Robert M. A. International relations – still an American social science?: Toward diversity in international thought, 21-30. Albany, NY: State Univ. of New York Press, 2001.
Grey, Madeline. “The Nature of Women’s Political Leadership: Women MPs in the Parliament of Victoria.” P Grimshaw, R Francis and A Standish, Seizing the initiative: Australian women leaders in politics, workplaces and communities, eScholarship Research Centre, 233-47. The University of Melbourne, 2012.
Jalalzai, Farida, and Mona Lena Krook. “Beyond Hillary and Benazir: women’s political leadership worldwide.” 5-21. International Political Science Review 31, no. 1, 2010.
Schier, Steven E. Transforming America: Barack Obama in the White House, 10-23. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield, 2011.
Warren, Elizabeth, and Amelia Warren Tyagi. The two-income trap why middle-class mothers and fathers are going broke. New York: Basic Books, 2003.
[1] Madeline Grey, “The Nature of Women’s Political Leadership: Women MPs in the Parliament of Victoria.” P Grimshaw, R Francis and A Standish, Seizing the initiative: Australian women leaders in politics, workplaces and communities, eScholarship Research Centre (The University of Melbourne 2012), 235
[2] Farida Jalalzai and Krook Mona Lena, “Beyond Hillary and Benazir: women’s political leadership worldwide.” International Political Science Review 31, no. 1 (2010), 7
[3] Ibid, 8
[4] Elizabeth Warren and Tyagi Amelia Warren, The two-income trap why middle-class mothers and fathers are going broke ( New York: Basic Books, 2003)
[5] Robert Crawford, International relations – still an American social science?: Toward diversity in international thought. (Albany, NY: State Univ. of New York Press, 2001), 25
[6] Ibid, 2
[7] Ibid, 9
[8] Ibid, 27
[9] Steven Schier, Transforming America: Barack Obama in the White House (Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield, 2011), 12