Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is sticking by his comments questioning why female presidential candidates aren’t receiving questions about whether they will choose a male running mate, claiming that the media often “discounts” female candidates’ chances of securing their party’s nomination.
During a CNN town hall in Atlanta, Ga., on Wednesday, the 2020 Democratic hopeful was asked whether he would select a female running mate. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who is also vying to become the Democratic nominee, has pledged to select a female running mate.
“Of course,” Hickenlooper said.
“Well, I’ll ask you another question,” he said. “But, how come we’re not asking more often the women, ‘Would you be willing to put a man on the ticket?”
Although the audience groaned in response, Hickelooper later told a CNN reporter that his comment underscored the point that “too often media discounts the chance of a woman winning.”
I caught up with Hickenlooper after his #CNNTownHall. He stood by this comment, saying his point was “too often media discounts the chance of a woman winning.”
“That is what I am talking about. People can take it out of context,” he said. https://t.co/PznEX0ioAa
— Dan Merica (@merica) March 21, 2019
“That is what I am talking about. People can take it out of context,” he said.
Six women have announced they will run for president in 2020, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii; and author Marianne Williamson.
