kamala's girl squad: why an all-female ticket is 2024's power move 💪👩‍💼👩‍💼

shattering glass ceilings: the case for harris to choose a woman vp

Jul 28, 2024

tl;dr: yesterday i wrote about the men being considered as kamala’s vp. a couple of comments (1) and (2) from my friend beryl really made me think! so we're flipping the script on the vp search, exploring why kamala harris should consider an all-female ticket and highlighting nine powerhouse women who could revolutionize the white house.

white concrete building during night time — Photo by Tabrez Syed on Unsplash

hey mi gente,

yesterday, i broke down the typical vp shortlist for kamala harris - you know, the usual parade of suits that always pops up when we talk "electability." i did my due diligence, poring over pundit predictions and poll preferences. and let's be real, i served y'all a sandwich so white and bland, it could've been the official meal of a mayonnaise festival.

my bad, but don't blame me - blame america's political palette. it's like the country's stuck in a culinary time warp where wonder bread is still considered exotic. but today? we're not just tossing that tired playbook out the window - we're setting it on fire and using the ashes to grow something fresh!

shattering the myth: women belong at the top

here's a thought that shouldn't make anyone bat an eye: what if kamala picked another woman as her vp?

it's 2024, mi gente. women are leading corporations, nations, and political parties worldwide. they're at the helm of our families and communities. just like men, they're making decisions that shape our world every single day. so why the hell are we still acting like two women in the white house is some kind of radical proposition?

let's be clear: there's nothing radical about competent leadership. there's nothing extreme about representation that actually reflects our population. and there's certainly nothing outlandish about acknowledging that women are just as capable of running a country as men.

it's time we stop treating the idea of female leadership as some kind of novelty and start seeing it for what it is: fucking normal. women belong at the top. not as tokens, not as exceptions, but as the rule. they belong there because they're qualified, because they're capable, and because it's about damn time we had leadership that truly represents all of us.

so when we talk about kamala choosing a female vp, let's not frame it as some bold, unprecedented move. let's frame it as what it is: a smart, strategic choice to bring the best possible leadership to the white house. it's not about making history. it's about making sense. this isn't about radical change. it's about long overdue normalcy. it's about looking at the incredible women leading in every other sphere of life and saying, "yeah, that tracks. let's see that in the white house too."

why two x chromosomes are better than one (in the white house)

representation matters: seeing two women at the highest levels of power sends a powerful message about women's leadership capabilities.
fresh perspectives: women, especially from diverse backgrounds, bring different lived experiences, potentially leading to innovative policies.
shattering the electability myth: we've already proven that a black man can be president and a woman can be vice president. let's keep breaking barriers.
energizing the base: an all-female ticket could fire up progressive voters and women across the political spectrum.
global leadership: many countries have had female leaders. it's time for the u.s. to catch up.

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the myth of electability: a self-fulfilling prophecy

let's cut through the bullshit of "electability" for a moment. you want to know what actually makes someone electable? it's not charisma, it's not height, it's not even how good they look eating a corn dog at the iowa state fair. it's votes. period.

shocking, i know!

every time you swallow the "electability" pill force-fed by pundits and party insiders, you're essentially handing over your democratic power. you're saying, "here, you decide who i should vote for." it's like asking your ex to choose your next tinder date. spoiler alert: it probably won't end well.

this electability myth isn't just annoying - it's dangerous. it's a self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps us trapped in a cycle of mediocrity. we limit our options to the "safe" choices, the ones who look and sound like every other politician we've seen. and then we have the audacity to wonder why nothing ever really changes.

it's time to break this cycle, mi gente. let's redefine "electable" in 2024. let's make it mean "someone i actually want to vote for" instead of "someone i think other people might vote for." because if we keep letting fear drive our politics, we're going to end up exactly where we've always been - disappointed and wondering what could have been.

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kamala's potential power partners: the all-star lineup

From left to right, top row: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto; Rep. Ayanna Pressley. Middle row: Sen Tammy Baldwin; Sen. Tammy Duckworth; Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Bottom row: Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Sec. Gina Raimondo; and First Lady Michelle Obama. Source: Wikipedia.

now, let's talk about some incredible women who should be on kamala's radar:

gretchen whitmer: michigan's crisis-handling governor with midwest appeal. whitmer's proven leadership during the flint water crisis and the covid-19 pandemic showcases her ability to navigate complex challenges. her focus on infrastructure and healthcare could complement harris's agenda, while her midwest roots could help solidify the democratic base in crucial swing states.
catherine cortez masto: first latina senator, bringing legal experience and latinx representation. as a former attorney general, cortez masto's legal expertise could be invaluable in tackling justice reform. her advocacy for immigrant rights and climate change action aligns well with progressive values, while her nevada background could help secure the southwest.
ayanna pressley: progressive powerhouse who could energize younger voters. pressley's passionate advocacy for social justice and her ability to mobilize grassroots support could bring fresh energy to the campaign. her experience in urban issues and her appeal to younger voters could help drive turnout in key demographics.
tammy baldwin: first openly lgbtq+ senator, adding progressive cred and wisconsin connections. baldwin's trailblazing career and strong stance on healthcare reform (she's a longtime medicare for all supporter) could energize the progressive wing. her midwest roots and ability to win in a swing state like wisconsin make her a strategic choice.
tammy duckworth: inspiring veteran with unbeatable debate skills. duckworth's military background and personal story of resilience resonate across party lines. her experience with veterans' affairs and national security could round out the ticket, while her thai-american heritage adds to the diversity harris represents.
elizabeth warren: the woman with a plan for everything and perseverance to boot. warren's policy expertise, particularly in economic matters, could provide substantive depth to the administration. her ability to break down complex issues and her strong progressive following could help unite different factions of the democratic party.
amy klobuchar: bringing "minnesota nice" and ruthless competence to the ticket. klobuchar's pragmatic approach and ability to work across the aisle could appeal to moderates. her experience in judicial matters and her midwest roots make her a formidable choice for balancing the ticket geographically and ideologically. (and she knows alternate uses for staplers.)
gina raimondo: commerce secretary and former governor with public and private sector chops. raimondo's business acumen and experience in economic development could be crucial in addressing our economy. her moderate stance might help attract centrist voters, while her rhode island background adds northeast representation.
michelle obama: the people's choice who keeps saying "no". look, i know, i know. she's said it a million times. she's written it in her book. she's probably skywritten it across the continental united states by now. but here's the thing: the voters keep bringing her up, and polls consistently show her as a top choice. so let's indulge in this political fantasy for a moment. michelle obama brings unparalleled star power, razor-sharp intellect, and a track record of effective advocacy. her focus on issues like education, nutrition, and women's empowerment aligns perfectly with harris's priorities.

Refer a friend

addressing the elephant in the room: what about male voters?

now, i know what some of you are thinking. "but edgard, won't this alienate male voters?" to which i say: y qué? men have had their turn for centuries. maybe it's time they learn to be supportive from the sidelines.

plus, let's be real - any man threatened by women in power probably wasn't voting for kamala anyway. so why cater to them?

an all-female ticket would be bold. unprecedented. it would ruffle feathers. but that's exactly what we need right now.

we're living in unprecedented times, facing unprecedented challenges. maybe it's time for some unprecedented leadership.

daring to make history

so come on, kamala. dare to be different. dare to make history. dare to show the world what two badass women in power can do.

because let's face it - after centuries of men running things, can women really do any worse?

(spoiler alert: they'll probably do a hell of a lot better.)