In a recent shift in public sentiment, the enthusiasm for electing a female president in the United States has experienced a notable decline. A Times/SAY24 poll conducted by YouGov reveals that since 2015, there has been a nine-point drop in the number of Americans expressing readiness for a woman to lead the nation. This survey, which came in the wake of President Biden's decision not to seek re-election, aimed to delve into perceptions of gender bias and evaluate Vice President Harris's prospects for the upcoming November elections.
Interestingly, while nearly half of those surveyed (49%) believe that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris possess equal qualifications for the presidency, there remains considerable hesitation about transitioning to female leadership. Only 54% of Americans now say they are prepared for a woman president, a decrease from 63% who shared this sentiment back in 2015. This earlier poll was conducted around the time Hillary Clinton announced her presidential bid and shortly before she became the first woman nominated by a major party for presidency.
As Vice President Harris vies to become the second woman nominated for this high office, it appears gender biases could pose significant obstacles. A substantial portion of Americans (41%) perceive that over half of their compatriots would prefer a male candidate over an equally qualified female counterpart. This skepticism is not confined to one political spectrum; within the Democratic Party itself, although 77% affirm the nation's readiness for female leadership, 37% doubt their fellow citizens would actually support a woman candidate under equal conditions.
This underlying gender bias has influenced some Democrats' strategic considerations; 35% suggest Harris should opt for a male vice-presidential running mate, with only 6% advocating for another woman in that role. Among potential Democratic running mates, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer emerged as most favorable with 27%, despite removing herself from contention and instead serving as co-chair on Harris’s campaign. Other notable figures such as Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Governor Josh Shapiro (D) were also popular choices among respondents, each garnering favorability ratings of 22%.
Conducted with 1,170 registered U.S voters on Tuesday and Wednesday, this YouGov Poll highlights shifting attitudes towards gender roles within American politics. With a margin of error at plus or minus 3 percent, these findings underscore growing apprehensions about electoral gender biases that may influence future political landscapes and candidacies.
Interestingly, while nearly half of those surveyed (49%) believe that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris possess equal qualifications for the presidency, there remains considerable hesitation about transitioning to female leadership. Only 54% of Americans now say they are prepared for a woman president, a decrease from 63% who shared this sentiment back in 2015. This earlier poll was conducted around the time Hillary Clinton announced her presidential bid and shortly before she became the first woman nominated by a major party for presidency.
As Vice President Harris vies to become the second woman nominated for this high office, it appears gender biases could pose significant obstacles. A substantial portion of Americans (41%) perceive that over half of their compatriots would prefer a male candidate over an equally qualified female counterpart. This skepticism is not confined to one political spectrum; within the Democratic Party itself, although 77% affirm the nation's readiness for female leadership, 37% doubt their fellow citizens would actually support a woman candidate under equal conditions.
This underlying gender bias has influenced some Democrats' strategic considerations; 35% suggest Harris should opt for a male vice-presidential running mate, with only 6% advocating for another woman in that role. Among potential Democratic running mates, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer emerged as most favorable with 27%, despite removing herself from contention and instead serving as co-chair on Harris’s campaign. Other notable figures such as Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Governor Josh Shapiro (D) were also popular choices among respondents, each garnering favorability ratings of 22%.
Conducted with 1,170 registered U.S voters on Tuesday and Wednesday, this YouGov Poll highlights shifting attitudes towards gender roles within American politics. With a margin of error at plus or minus 3 percent, these findings underscore growing apprehensions about electoral gender biases that may influence future political landscapes and candidacies.
