Not so fast, writes the author of Notes from the Cracked
Ceiling, a book released this week that explores why Clinton and
Palin lost, what role gender played in their candidacies and
what it would take for a woman to win the U.S. presidency.
Author Anne Kornblut argues that Clinton and Palin were at a
particular disadvantage because they were women and that a
number of hurdles will need to be cleared before a woman
succeeds in winning the White House. I don't think it's
automatically right around the corner, Kornblut, who covers
politics and the White House for the Washington Post, said in an
interview. Some people do and think, 'Well we elected an
African-American. We're obviously able to do it.' I don't think
that. I'm definitely in the sceptical camp, she said. Women
candidates are faced with undue emphasis on their looks and
family life and dogged by concerns over whether they are tough
enough. They face stereotypes that would not trouble male
candidates and dismissive attitudes about their qualifications