Clyburn Supports Obama’s Views on Female Presidency

Rep. James Clyburn (D.C.) expressed on Sunday that he agrees with former First Lady Michelle Obama, who stated that the U.S. isn’t quite ready for a female president.

“History shows we’re not prepared,” Clyburn told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” He highlighted the talents of women like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, acknowledging progress but cautioning against regression. “We’ve made significant strides, but we shouldn’t move backward in this election,” he added.

Obama’s remarks originated from her book promotion of “The Look.” In it, she mentioned Kamala Harris’ defeat against Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election as indicative of the nation’s unpreparedness for a woman in the highest office.

“Past elections have proven we aren’t ready,” Obama stated. She reflected on the challenges women face in leadership, claiming many men still struggle to accept being led by women.

Clyburn concurred but emphasized the importance of continuing to advocate for female candidates. “My father used to say, ‘The darkest part of the night is just before dawn,’” he mentioned. He suggested we might currently be in that dark period, but positive change requires women to step up and run. With a nod to his daughters, he urged women to pursue their ambitions and not lose hope.