While both parties hope for a wave to come crashing down on their opponents on midterm election night, there is another force that many hope will have a considerable impact: that of the female candidate. Though there appears to be a renewed interest in female-fueled victory as a counter to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation to the Supreme Court, the idea took center stage long ago.
2018 has been a remarkable one for women and their interest in elected office.
Americans who desire to serve their nation should certainly be encouraged to do so. However, a common theme among Democrats, especially in light of what has occurred in the past month, is that the gender makeup of Congress is not merely a product of voter preference, but that this imbalance is a deeply concerning thing for our country. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., said as much: “This year, the record number of women running won’t erase the inequality that exists right now, but it is a huge step forward.”
This disparity is considered a negative simply because the number of women in elected office is not equal to the number of men, but that completely ignores the realities of freedom and choice. Thankfully, women in the United States have equality of opportunity and are not barred from running for or holding office. However, the expectation from too many on the Left is that females should also receive the equality of outcome. Apparently, it’s not enough that we can run; we also must be given a win.
Now, the “inequality in D.C.” argument is again being made by those who look at the balance of the Senate Judiciary Committee not by political party, but by biology. Of the 21 members, only four are women, and none of the women are Republicans. Somehow, this is meant to suggest that Brett Kavanaugh’s hearings weren’t as fair to women, most especially Christine Blasey Ford, as they could have been. After all, Republican men are incapable of seriously considering a matter involving allegations of sexual misconduct – at least this is what we’re told. Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, did himself no favors recently when commenting on how the workload of the committee was keeping women away, and as expected, the Left pounced on his statement as evidence that systemic oppression is alive and well. He later clarified his unfortunate remarks, but they were nowhere near as alarming as Democrats would have you believe.
The intense focus on gender parity in nationally-held elected office is a holdover from Hillary Clinton’s loss to Donald Trump in 2016. We’re told that it should have been her time. Electing the first female president is supposed to have leveled the political playing field. But her loss actually had everything to do with her policy positions, something the Democrats simply cannot abide. As a female voter, I flatly rejected Clinton because of everything she continues to represent. Our similarities as women had no sway over me. The same can be said for any candidate on any ballot. I never consider them for anything other than the platform on which they stand. The same can be said of most Americans.
Midterm elections are usually not as much about gender politics, but in 2018, and with the reality of a Kavanaugh court, the focus has shifted. It’s too soon to say whether the momentum from recent weeks will ultimately help Republicans or Democrats in Washington. Currently, voters for the minority party appear to be polling as most enthusiastic. Nevertheless, you can count on the Democratic Party to look at the final results, only see gender, and foolishly conclude that women have yet to achieve this unattainable idea of true equality because of who is, or isn’t, victorious on election night.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a senior contributor at RedState.com.
