Thread by @creynoldsnc

I see that sexism has become the latest issue in the race and could be a focus in tonight's debate. As someone who spends her time helping elect women, I have a few thoughts. Let's see if this thread is more readable than my rants at friends and coworkers...

First, yes, there is sexism in politics. There is sexism in most parts of our society, and campaigns are no exception. Women are often judged differently, face double standards and see their accomplishments diminished. To wit:
businessinsider.com/scott-taylor-n…

Research from groups like @BLFF_org shows that women candidates must be both likable AND qualified (while men can be unlikable if he's viewed as qualified).
barbaraleefoundation.org/research/likea…

@BLFF_org Women pay a higher price for "going negative" or attacking someone. msmagazine.com/2016/05/23/goi…
They also face FAR more attacks online.
thehill.com/homenews/campa…

@BLFF_org So yes, it's hard. And we are grateful for every one of those brave women who run, who face the attacks and the double standards, because they all make it easier for us to view women as candidates too, and when they get elected, they do amazing work.

@BLFF_org And if you followed 2018, you know that women faced sexism and kicked some ass. Democratic women flipped enough seats in 2018 to flip the House all by themselves. We picked up the only two flips in the Senate. We added four new Democratic women governors. We won. A LOT.

@BLFF_org Unfortunately, all of that winning seems to have been forgotten during this presidential race. Instead, we have heard over and over again a question of whether women can win, simply because one woman lost (while, yes, winning millions more votes).

@BLFF_org All cycle, this question has been raised by pundits and experts. The question of electability is an important one--I too want to beat Trump and view that as VERY important. But the answer as to who can beat him is not a known thing, and too often, punditry pretends it is.

@BLFF_org Instead, we have continued to inject doubt into people's minds either by asking the question or by arguing it's risky. Then we poll people and are shocked--SHOCKED--when they listen to the barrage of questions and doubt.

@BLFF_org To be clear, I think this will all be answered when a woman (or more than one) wins some primaries or caucuses, but for now, it's an unknowable point being treated as a fair accompli and yes, it's not great for the women.

@BLFF_org Until then, it's not new or surprising that there's sexism out there. This is not about one conversation. It's about a narrative all last year asking whether a woman can win. In 2018, we proved that answer. It is yes. Without a doubt. I look forward to proving it again in 2020.

@BLFF_org And tonight, I hope the question on sexism would be more about structural issues and how we're fixing issues all women face than about one conversation, or even the pundits' or media narrative.