During a conversation with a friend last Saturday, New York resident Sam Peterson expressed his concern about a potential female presidential nominee in 2020.
“I just don’t think a woman can beat Trump right now,” said Peterson, whose representative ambivalence about the women candidates is a large part of why this statement holds some truth.
“Don’t get me wrong,” said Peterson. “I would love a female president. I’m ready. It’s just not realistic right now, so I’m not going to waste my primary vote on Warren when I should be focusing on which man has the best chance of winning.”
Peterson, who is a self-identified history buff, explained that there is a historical precedent for his belief that supporting any woman in the race is a lost cause.
“In 2016 I was a huge Bernie supporter, obviously,” said Peterson. “I volunteered for his campaign, canvassed, worked phone banks, all of it. But then Hillary stole the nomination and I was like, ‘there’s no way she’s going to win, America isn’t ready.’ So, no, I didn’t campaign for her.”
When asked if Peterson would volunteer for the campaign of a female candidate this election cycle, his response was unequivocal.
“If we don’t learn from history, we’re doomed to repeat it,” explained Peterson. “That’s why I wouldn’t do anything differently; I already learned that a woman can’t beat Trump.”
Peterson’s friend, Raina Lewis, with whom he first shared his prediction, had a different perspective.
“Jack seems to think that it’s pointless to passionately support a female candidate because she won’t win, but maybe a female candidate can’t win because people like Jack won’t passionately support her,” said Lewis. “He thinks he’s being practical, but I think he’s being defeatist and, honestly, sexist.”
Peterson was indignant when he heard Lewis’s characterization.
“Sexist? Okay, that could not be further from the truth,” said Peterson. “I just know that now isn’t the time for lofty dreams. The only thing that can get a white man out of office is another white man, and he’s going to get there with my help.”
“I don’t like it,” added Peterson. “But I will do everything in my power to make sure it remains true.”
