Hillary: "Harris, New Champion... Will Break the Glass Ceiling I Couldn't"

Support for Vice President Harris in NYT Op-Ed

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who challenged to become the first female president of the United States but was defeated by former President Donald Trump, praised Vice President Kamala Harris as a "well-prepared candidate." She expressed hope that Harris could break the "glass ceiling" that she herself could not shatter and anticipated the birth of the first female president in U.S. constitutional history.

In an op-ed titled "Hillary Clinton: How Kamala Harris Can Win and Make History," published on the 23rd (local time) in The New York Times (NYT), Clinton described Harris as "a new beginning in American politics" and said, "It still pains me that I could not break the highest and toughest glass ceiling, but I am proud that my two presidential bids made it generally acceptable for women to become presidential candidates."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Clinton began her article by paying tribute to President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the race, calling it "the purest act of patriotism I have ever seen." She said, "As someone who shared that dream (of the presidency) and gave it up, I know it was never easy. But it was the right thing to do."

Regarding Vice President Harris, who is widely expected to be the Democratic presidential nominee, she emphasized, "She has talent and extensive experience and is ready to be president," adding, "I know she can beat Trump." Clinton assessed, "The choice in this election is clearer than ever," stating, "On one side is a convicted criminal (Trump), and on the other is an insightful former prosecutor and successful vice president (Harris)."

Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election as the Democratic nominee, also hinted that Harris’s path to becoming the first female president in November will not be easy. She said, "Vice President Harris’s record and character will be distorted and disparaged by a lake of misinformation and the ugly prejudices of MAGA spokespeople," adding, "She and her campaign must cut through the noise, and as voters, we must be cautious about what we encounter."

Clinton also shared her own experience, saying, "I know how hard it is for strong female candidates to fight against sexism and double standards in American politics," and recalled being called a witch, a 'nasty woman,' or worse. She reflected, "I ran not because I was breaking down barriers, but because I believed I was the best person to do the job (president)."

In particular, Clinton noted that Harris will face the additional challenge of being not only the first female president but also the first Black and South Asian female president, urging, "We must not be afraid." She referenced her own 2016 loss in the electoral college despite winning the popular vote by about 3 million votes, and the recent election of the first Black president (Barack Obama) by a large margin, calling for supporters to unite. She confidently stated, "If Harris takes the lead, this movement will become an unstoppable wave."

Clinton also highlighted Harris’s career, from California Attorney General to U.S. Senator to becoming the first female vice president, saying, "Like many female politicians, she has been underestimated, but she is well-prepared for this moment."

She explained, "As a prosecutor and attorney general, Harris fought drug traffickers, polluters, and predatory lenders. As a U.S. senator, she rigorously questioned hesitant Trump administration officials and nominees, inspiring those who watched." She also noted that as vice president, Harris sat in the situation room with the president, helping with some of the toughest decisions a leader can make.

Clinton expressed her expectation that Harris will strongly prosecute former President Trump. She argued, "Trump failed in his first term and is pushing dangerous promises," adding, "A second term would be worse than the first." She pointed out that even the guardrails that once restrained Trump have disappeared, making his promises more extreme. She also criticized "Project 2025," expected to be a major policy agenda of Trump, calling it "a recipe for a weaker, poorer, and more divided America, from restricting abortion rights to dismantling the Department of Education."

Clinton concluded by saying, "As a friend and supporter of Biden, this is a bittersweet moment. We have lost our standard-bearer," but also noted, "We have gained a new champion, a revitalized campaign, and a renewed sense of purpose." She ended with, "The time of despair is over. Now is the time to organize, unite, and win."