BY: BELLA LEVAVI, SUMMER 2020 COLLABORATOR AT POWER IN PLACE
When I first heard that Joe Biden planned to pick a woman as his running mate, I was unimpressed. I knew that he was relying on the female suburban vote in a couple of key states for his victory, and picking a woman would boost his chances. This did not seem like a step forward; it was a tactical move that disguised itself as progressivism.
I was angry that the women running for the Democratic nomination had to spend so much of their time and energy convincing people they were electable that it hindered themselves from gaining the momentum needed to win. I was angry that Joe Biden spent his campaign picking up endorsements from key figures in the party, especially right before Super Tuesday, when that attention could have gone to women candidates instead. I was angry that the Democratic party did not set their priorities to bolster well qualified female candidates, and let Biden passively sweep the country. And they think they are throwing us women a bone now?
But now, four months after he announced his running mate will be a woman, I am feeling a slight change of heart.
The biggest headlines for the past several months on the presidential race--albeit clearly not the biggest headlines of the moment--have not been about rallies or squabbles between the candidates, they have been incredibly uplifting stories of the strongest female politicians of the moment.
Because of Joe Biden’s announcement, I get to learn about California congresswoman Karen Bass. A politician who is well respected across the political spectrum, who is head of the Black Caucus, and is outspoken in police reform and health care.
Since it is a female pick, Tammy Duckworth’s picture fills newspapers across the country. A disabled Asian-American who cares deeply about progressive issues, and certainly does not fit the cookie-cutter idea of what a politician looks like. I am lucky to be currently represented by her and know that she would do a great job taking charge of the whole country.
Thanks to Biden, stories of Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren continue circulating through my news feed. Both well qualified presidential candidates, who clearly have bigger seats in their future. Harris, the Attorney General of California, and Warren, probably the smartest politician of all time who is currently the Massachusetts senator. Both dominated debates during the nomination process and should be held close by the Democratic party.
I finally got to learn about the great Susan Rice. Once National Security Council Director under Obama, she is fluent in foreign policy. And I know she will speak her mind when things get stressful in the situation room.
Gretchen Whitmer got to sweep headlines for weeks. As the governor of Michigan, she dominated the news cycle for being strict on Coronavirus and defying President Trump’s demands, but stayed in the news for longer as she attracted attention as a possible national figure whose fierceness people could see translating well to second in command.
Although I was originally angry that the Democratic party thought they could win over women post smiting us in the primary, I ended up having a field day learning about these incredible people fighting for their local constituents. I learned that although the folks in the national party may not be as progressive as I want them to be, incredible women are representing the party across the county, and I’m happy we will at least get some say at the table if we flip the country this November.
Bella Levavi is a rising junior at Smith College majoring in Government and English. She is involved in Smith's newspaper the Sophian and the college radio station. She is passionate about vegetarian co-ops, writing, and social justice.