Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) said former first lady Michelle Obama is “absolutely correct” that the United States is “not ready” for a female president, but argued the country is getting closer to achieving this.
Obama made her assessment last month in tamping down speculation she could seek the White House in 2028, pointing to the 2024 election results. President Donald Trump defeated then-Vice President Kamala Harris in that election, eight years after he won in 2016 against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“Well, history is prologue, and I understand exactly what Kamala Harris has said. I had a very pleasant conversation with her last week, and Michelle Obama is absolutely correct. If you look at the history, we demonstrated that we were not ready. These are incredible women who have run, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and I think that we are getting there,” Clyburn said on NBC News’s Meet the Press.
Clyburn concluded that while it seems the country isn’t ready to elect its first female president, people shouldn’t give up this “pursuit.” He added that he would like to see more women run for president would support their campaigns.
Harris has been promoting her book, 107 Days, over the last several months, during which she confirmed in late July that she will not be running for governor of California next year. However, she is leaving the door open for another presidential run, saying in October she is confident a woman will be elected president and will “possibly” be her.
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Besides Harris, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is another possible candidate, as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called her one of the front-runners for the Democratic Party’s nomination. There are rumblings, however, that she could challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for his seat, a possibility she has acknowledged but downplayed.
For Republicans, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is a possible candidate, as she previously ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary before endorsing Trump in 2024 and joining the Republican Party. Gabbard told journalist Megyn Kelly in May she would “never rule out any opportunity” to serve the U.S. when asked about potentially seeking the White House in 2028.