Still Paving the Way for Madam President (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Product Description When Madam President moves into the Oval Office of the White House, she will share a path that several women have helped to pave. Often left off the history pages—and out of the minds of many Americans—are the presidential bids of several women: Margaret Chase Smith, 1964; Shirley Chisholm, 1972; Patricia Schroeder,1988; Elizabeth Dole, 2000; Carol Moseley Braun 2004; and Hillary Clinton, 2008/ 2016. Still Paving the Way for Madam President shows the progress women candidates have made as they have moved from symbolic candidates to viable candidates and in 2016, the Democratic nominee. This study shines a light on the persistent obstacles that face women candidates and offers insight into what it will take to finally shatter the seemingly impenetrable political glass ceiling. Review Nichola Gutgold's carefully researched and well written book helps us to reflect upon the lessons learned from past female presidential campaigns and envision the future. She skillfully weighs political realities against what it will take to finally see Madam President in the West Wing. -- Myra G. Gutin, Rider UniversityIn 2016 Hillary Clinton made history as the first woman nominee for president of a major political party. When her bid to be Madam President fell short in the electoral college, many asked “what went wrong?” In Still Paving the Way for Madam President, Professor Gutgold reminds us once again that there are common barriers to putting a woman in the White House and there are also unique circumstances for each candidate and each election cycle. Americans have not yet encountered “Kairos,” that opportune or supreme moment when it all comes together. However, the book gives us reason to believe that such a moment will occur and that there are women in the pipeline or about to enter it who will be the first Madam President. -- Diana B. Carlin, Saint Louis University, Professor EmeritaThis woman-centered analysis of candidates for the American presidency reveals the courage, experience, and communication technique that have taken women close to election of the highest office. Still Paving the Way for Madam President also demonstrates that women rhetors are often judged by circumstances and structural mechanisms far removed from their actual leadership ability. -- Elizabeth J. Natalle, University of North Carolina at Greensboro About the Author Nichola D. Gutgold is professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State University, Lehigh Valley campus.