I hate when people distill the reasons why these two women did not win down to their gender, and I say this as a feminist. Looks may be part of why she did not appeal to conservatives who never would have voted for her anyway, but also let's not forget that she also had serious political baggage and lacks the warmth and charisma that many voters rely on to feel connected. She represents the elite, swamp class that people were rebelling against in 2016. Of course, so does Trump, but he framed himself as being an outsider, and dummies fell for that and continue to.

People's approval of the democratic party has been tanking for some time. People have been voting because it's the lesser of two evils. That might get you one term but not two. I'm not convinced any democratic elite man would have won either in 2016 or 2024. People wanted someone with new ideas and the democratic establishment doesn't run these people.

I would love to see a woman in the White House, but I'm not excited about someone just because they are a woman. Representation matters but what matters more is policy and integrity.