America's Flipped Switch

The rule is, America falls back in love with powerful women once they aren’t actually running for a position of power anymore. Like, say, how America loved Hillary Clinton when she was competently doing her job as Obama’s Secretary of State, but once she ran for President she was that lady with the bad emails who was probably just as bad as Trump, right? Well, now that Elizabeth Warren is out of the race America seems ready to fall back in love with her. But I think from dropping out Thursday to being a viral meme on Saturday is a land-speed record for America’s flip-flopping feelings toward smart women in public service.

First she was in the cold open (which I conveniently cut to the good bits for you), and gave a truly epic reading of the line, “I was the dog.”

And then she posted a “Flipped the Switch” challenge with Kate McKinnon. Can I tell you it actually made me feel a little better about the world. It really did. Don’t forget, joy is an act of resistance. Always had been, always will.

𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵. pic.twitter.com/t8qHcGRUhY

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) March 8, 2020

My Weekend Crush(ed)

I knew Elizabeth Warren was probably going to drop out. She is above all else smart and – for all those big dreams – a realist. She knew the numbers weren’t there. But I didn’t know how much Elizabeth Warren dropping out would leave me feeling so crushed. She is perhaps the most brilliant person I have ever had the privilege to vote for. I am proud of that vote, and cherish the ability to cast it. Sadly, America just wasn’t ready for her – or for any smart woman, really.

I think a lot of women probably felt the same way today. That if we couldn’t get many more men (and, yes some more women) to vote for Elizabeth Warren, then how will there ever be a woman “perfect” enough to get elected president. I mean, it’s Elizabeth freaking Warren. Just listen to her break down a seemingly intractable topic and you’ll feel calmed by the sensible pragmatism and unabashed empathy built into all of her policies. Yes, she really had a plan for that.

The other thing it made me feel despair that the big structural change she championed is really possible in America. Yes, I know, there is another candidate still in the running who espouses very similar policies. But big dreams without concrete plans are just that, dreams. It’s not that I can’t be won over, it’s that Warren made those big dreams seem attainable. Again, plans.

Look, it’s absolutely BONKERS that in our country’s 244-year history there has never been a woman president. Ever. And if you don’t think that’s bonkers, what does that say about how you see the world and the women in it?

If Hillary couldn’t do it. If Elizabeth couldn’t do it. If Kamala and Kirsten and Amy couldn’t do it. Well, who can?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot, and I hate to say it but I think the likeliest way we get a woman president in our lifetime is if a) she is a conventionally attractive Very Conservative Woman, or b) one of the innumerable ancient white men Democratic voters feel safe voting for picks a female VP and then, um, old age happens and she takes over. Deep. Endless. Sigh.

Like I was saying, it’s grim. We can all feel a little down for a bit, I know I do. And, duh, no matter what I am voting for the Democratic nominee in November because I would vote for a can of creamed corn over Donald fucking Trump. What’s important is that we get back up, keep fighting. And, if nothing else, as Liz would say, leave some blood and teeth on the floor. For us, for our mothers and grandmothers, for the next generation and the one after that. For this little girl, and for all the pinky promises.

Reader, her enthusiasm was rewarded #mapoli #SuperTuesday @ewarren @wgbhnews pic.twitter.com/JndzHJKHxq

— Adam Reilly (@reillyadam) March 3, 2020

I want a world where this little girl’s enthusiasm at seeing Elizabeth Warren heading to cast her ballot on Super Tuesday to actually translate to the polls. I don’t believe that world exists yet. But someday, maybe. May we all fight hard until that happens. Happy first weekend of Women’s History Month, all.

My Weekend Crush

Look, I don’t know who you plan to vote for in the Democratic Primary. But as I’ve said I’m all in with Elizabeth Warren. I’m all in because she has the best plans, the best policies, the best personality to beat Donald Trump. I’m all in because the only thing we have to do to make a woman electable as president is to actually vote for her. And I’m all in because Elizabeth Warren has absolutely zero patience for the men who are trying to ruin America. And, dammit, if that isn’t refreshing. Plus, the lady is damn funny and as sharp as a scalpel. This entire video is a delight from start to finish, and if the way she eats that bite to pay off all student debt… *chef’s finger kiss* Happy Elizabeth Warren for President weekend, all.

p.s. Don’t worry, I will vote for the Democratic nominee in November no matter who she - or if we must he - is. And you should too. Period.

Female President's Day

Well, it’s President’s Day in these here United States. As we all know all too well, in our nation’s history there has never been a female president. Just 45 (almost entirely white) dudes. Heck, we’ve never even had a female vice president. And here we are again this year, with the likelihood of even having a female nominee still very much in the air. *deep endless sigh* As always, someone will say, “But gender shouldn’t matter, may the best person win.” Sure, of course. But if gender really doesn’t matter, why has the best person never been a woman in the 244-year history of our country? Yeah, really makes you think – that sexism is still very alive and very well in America.

p.s. Not that anyone asked, but I’ve decided I’m all in with Elizabeth Warren in the primaries Yes, yes – I will vote blue no matter who (though, for real, I will have to grit my damn teeth for some of them). But Liz, yeah, now there’s a president.

My Weekend Crush

We have an embarrassment of riches in the Democratic Party. Which, all things considered, is whole a lot better than just having a national embarrassment at the top of your ticket like the Republicans. As Democrats we have an ever-growing list of smart, qualified and charismatic candidates running for president in 2020. In particular, we have an amazing lineup of women running for the highest office in the land. And that, well, that’s pretty fucking awesome.

Kirsten Gillibrand. Kamala Harris. Elizabeth Warren. Amy Klobuchar. Four U.S. Senators. Four presidential candidates. Four intelligent women. Sure, you may have your favorites and you may be less thrilled about some of these candidates, but you can’t deny the power of seeing so many truly capable women run for president.

Sure, they all have their strengths and weaknesses, but the more qualified women vie to be Commander in Chief, the more it will demystify the thought of women as president. Then maybe, and here’s a crazy thought, these female candidates will be judged on their policies and their expertise instead of not on whether they’re smiling too much or too little or laughing too much or too little or eating chicken the wrong way or listening to the wrong music or whatever dumbass thing the political media will obsess about ad nauseam this time.

For sure, they owe a debut to Hillary. And Geraldine. And Shirley. And all of the other female politicians and suffragettes who blazed a trail so that one day not one, not two, not three, but four great female candidates all campaigning to be president in 2020 (and Tulsi Gabbard and some lady who is Oprah’s spiritual adviser, but, uh, yeah…).

So, yeah, this week my crush is on these four strong women. Any one of them would be infinitely better than the orange trash bag currently inhabiting the White House. May the best woman win. Happy weekend, all.