Colle d’anglais n°4 : «!why the sexiest «!likability test!» could
hunt female candidates in 2020
After her resounding speech at Golden Globes, Oprah Winfrey could possibly become a potential
candidate in the presidencial elections of 2020 : will she be the future first woman president of the
US, winning against a woman? !
Summary !
In 2008, during US presidential elections, Barack Obama highlighted a «“likable problem“» in
Hillary Clinton, a problem that followed her until 2016 because many headlines were referring it. !
While the Americans were ready to elect a woman president, it is perhaps this famous «“likable
test“» that could have harm Clinton in hesr presidential campaign against Trump.!
And this «“likable problem“» was repeated for Senator Elizabeth Warren. This «“likable test“» seems
to be reserved for women. !
In addition to everyday life, sexism and misogyny seems to be still relevant in political life. Indeed,
all presidential candidates are monitored, but the sympathy of male candidates is not studied,
unlike female candidates. So, in addition to their work in politics, female candidates have to be
careful of their clothes, appearance, tone… as if they were candidates for Miss America, in
addition to being candidates for the presidency.!
This «“likable test“» applies to women who search for have more power and who believe in it : it is
passing from senator or secretary of state to presidential candidate that Elizabeth Warren or
Hillary Clinton were subjected to this test of sympathy, as if they had to cross an invisible line in
politics… contrary to the male candidates, as Donald Trump, who did not hesitate to appear in a
video with women. !
Commentary !
→ L’accession d’une femme au poste de président des EU changerait-il la vie des femmes? !
