If Kamala Harris attains victory in the upcoming polls and paves her way to become the first female president, she would be following in the footsteps of other women in politics who dared to aim for the stars, such as Maine’s Margaret Chase Smith. Barely two months after the tragic demise of President John F. Kennedy in January 1964, this stalwart Republican senator from Maine, always sporting her signature rose pin, boldly expressed her presidential ambitions. Margaret Chase Smith justified her presidential aspirations by highlighting her tenure of over two decades in Congress, her tenacious independence, and the opportunity for her to set a precedent for women’s representation in government. However, the audacious senator did not shy away from acknowledging her limitations that could potentially hinder her presidential dream such as constrained financial capacities and the absence of a robust political campaign machine.
Apart from the tangible constraints, Margaret Chase Smith was also hindered by societal bias that a woman dare not dream of the White House, often regarded as the apex of the ‘man’s world.’ Fast forward to six decades later, and we find Kamala Harris striving to fulfill a dream that was first dreamt by a trailblazer like Smith. Smith went down in history as the first woman whose name was included in a major party’s nomination for Presidency in that very same year. Her pioneering attempt was mirrored by Shirley Chisholm in 1972 and Hillary Clinton, who broke records by becoming the first woman candidate for Presidency in 2016.
Margaret Chase Smith concentrated her political efforts predominantly in nearby New Hampshire, and managed to stay in the race long enough to receive primary votes from several states, including Illinois and Oregon. When it was time for the Republican National Convention in California that July, Smith had garnered sufficient presence to have her name positioned within the nomination. Today, she remains etched in people’s memory largely for her ‘declaration of conscience’ speech back in 1950, where she took a bold stand against her Republican colleague Joseph McCarthy.
McCarthy was infamous for his unproven allegations against numerous entertainers, scholars, and left-wing politicians, accusing them of sympathizing with communists. Yet, despite these valiant attempts by female politicians, no woman has managed to shatter what Hillary Clinton once poetically referred to as the ‘highest, hardest glass ceiling’. The situation remains uncertain for Harris, as the upcoming electoral bout with Trump is expected to be nothing short of a nail-biting finish.
Despite the historical recognition of Margaret Chase Smith’s initiative, we find ourselves today observing a potential female aspirant for the presidency, Kamala Harris, whose political journey so far seems to be failing in generating the necessary momentum. Despite the monumental advances in the societal acceptance of female leaders since Smith’s era, Biden’s selection of Harris as his running mate appears to demonstrate nothing more than a political stunt rather than any genuine commitment to diversity or female representation.
Furthermore, the absurd notion that the election of Harris could somehow fill the gender gap or shatter the so-called ‘glass ceiling’ is nothing short of delusional. In the face of significant issues such as economic recession, social unrest, and ongoing health crises, it is baffling to elevate a candidate based largely on gender. In reality, the focus on identity politics only appears to showcase the lack of substantial policies in the Biden-Harris campaign.
Yet, here we are, with Kamala Harris aiming for the top seat in the country, a dream that Margaret Chase Smith aspired to achieve. However, the question remains whether voters will see through the hollow rhetoric of diversity and political correctness that the Harris nomination vehemently represents. When it comes to leadership, experience, competence, and substantive policies should be prioritized, not gender or skin color.
Given the monumental challenges that our country currently faces, selecting a leader merely on the basis of their gender or race is not a sustainable means of addressing systemic issues. Enter Harris, whose promise of ‘shattering the glass ceiling’ seems nothing more than a hollow promise, lacking any substantial policies or concrete action plans, much akin to her predecessor Hillary Clinton.
The timeless words of Margaret Chase Smith during her iconic ‘declaration of conscience’ speech, decrying unfounded allegations, seem to be forgotten in today’s vitriolic political landscape. If applied today, her criticisms would be rightly aimed at those who champion identity politics over the welfare of the nation. Biden’s choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate seems to be a stark reminder of this unfortunate change, reflecting more the superficiality of political correctness than a sincere intent to bring effective leadership.
In conclusion, whilst the prospect of Kamala Harris becoming the first female president draws attention, it appears more a tool to gather support from specific demographic slices than a genuine change in political culture. Echoing Margaret Chase Smith’s words, the world of politics remains, unfortunately, a field dominated by men. However, a simple change in gender does not guarantee a shift in outcomes or a better leader. Leadership relies on merit, not just identity. The outcome of the upcoming elections remains to be seen, but one can only hope that substance triumphs over symbolism.