Ready for a Female President? Americans Play the Blame Game

When asked if they or others felt more ready for a female president in 2020, Americans were quick to play the blame game. According to a survey carried out by Ipsos for nonprofit Lean In, half of registered voters felt very or extremely ready for a female president, and more than three quarters felt at least moderately ready. When asked about others’ opinions, survey respondents assumed that only 16 percent of Americans were very or extremely ready and that only 55 percent felt at least moderately ready.

Lean In calls these diverging replies the electability conundrum: Many people won’t vote for a female candidate because they assume that other people will not vote for a woman.

Among different groups of voters, Democrats felt most ready for a female president. Almost three quarters said they were very ready or extremely ready, with little difference between male and female respondents. Black voters overall also were a group cheering on a female president, around 65 percent said they were very or extremely ready. Black women’s support hit approximately 70 percent, while that of Black males was closer to 60 percent. Just over 50 percent of white women shared that sentiment, slightly more than white men.

Republicans were least likely to champion a female president, with approximately 25 percent of men and women saying they were very or extremely ready for a woman as Commander in Chief.