Hillary Clinton recently made headlines by drawing on her own presidential campaign experiences to rally support for Kamala Harris, the Democratic frontrunner for the 2024 election.
Clinton, who has twice sought the presidency, first lost to Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary and later to Donald Trump in 2016.
Despite these setbacks, she took the opportunity to highlight her significant achievement from the 2016 race—the fact that she won the national popular vote.
She voiced strong support for Harris, expressing her belief that Harris has the potential to become the first female President of the United States.
In a recent op-ed for the New York Times, Clinton drew a parallel between her own candidacies and Harris’s current campaign.
At 76, Clinton looked back on her efforts, acknowledging the difficulties she faced as a female candidate.
She wrote, “While it still pains me that I couldn’t break that highest, hardest glass ceiling, I’m proud that my two presidential campaigns made it seem normal to have a woman at the top of the ticket.”
Clinton shared her personal struggles with sexism and the harsh treatment she endured, including derogatory labels and even being burned in effigy.
She admitted that at times, she hesitated to focus on breaking barriers, fearing it might alienate voters. Instead, she ran on the premise of her qualifications for the role.
Challenges for Kamala Harris
Clinton acknowledged that Kamala Harris will face her own set of challenges as the first Black and South Asian woman to lead a major party’s ticket.
Despite these hurdles, Clinton remained hopeful. She pointed out that after her own experience, it was not long before America elected its first Black president, Obama, and she expressed optimism that Harris could also rise to the occasion.
Drawing on her own experiences, Clinton noted, “As one who shared that dream and has had to make peace with letting it go, I know this wasn’t easy. But it was the right thing to do.”
She emphasized that Harris will need to navigate through significant obstacles, including misinformation and prejudice, which she believes will be prominent in the campaign.
Looking Forward
Clinton also reflected on Joe Biden’s recent decision to step back from the 2024 race, comparing it to her own experience.
She lauded Biden’s choice as a patriotic one, understanding firsthand the emotional difficulty of such a decision.
Regarding the upcoming election, Clinton warned of the increased risks of a second Trump term, citing more extreme plans and fewer checks on his behavior.
She concluded by highlighting the critical battleground states that Harris will need to win—states that were pivotal in both her 2016 campaign and Trump’s victories.
Overall, Clinton’s endorsement of Harris comes with a blend of personal reflection and a hopeful outlook for the future of female leadership in American politics.
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