Former US President Bill Clinton expressed doubts about America’s readiness for a female president following Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat by President-elect Donald Trump. However, he suggested that a conservative female candidate might find it easier to secure the presidency.
When asked by Tracy Smith about the nation’s preparedness for a woman president, Clinton responded, “Maybe,” and added, “I think in some ways we’ve moved to the right as a reaction to all the turmoil. And I think if Hillary had been nominated in 2008, she would’ve walked in, just like Obama did.”
During the discussion about his new book, “Citizen,” Clinton addressed the country’s transformation after Harris’ defeat. The publication also explores his thoughts regarding the Monica Lewinsky affair.
Regarding female leadership, Clinton said, “Well, I think all these cultural battles that we’re fighting make it harder in some ways for a woman to run.” When Smith probed whether party affiliation outweighed gender, Clinton disagreed but noted that “it would probably be easier for a conservative Republican woman to win.”
Drawing parallels with Margaret Thatcher’s success, the former Democratic president remained optimistic about seeing a female US president in the near future.
Addressing the Lewinsky affair’s inclusion in his book, Clinton explained his intention to help her move forward. “Because I thought I needed to say something about it, and I wanted to be as helpful as I could to let her turn the page. I think she should be given a chance to build a life that is about her and the future, and not, you know, being whiplashed into an old story,” he said.
According to reports, Clinton wrote in “Citizens”, “I live with it all the time,” regarding the Lewinsky scandal, whilst acknowledging her anti-bullying work. “I wish her nothing but the best,” he added.
The former president supported Harris’ campaign and appeared with President Biden during the election period. He expressed strong opposition to Trump’s potential return to office, describing such a scenario as a “travesty.”
