Stephen A. Smith pushed back on Michelle Obama’s comment that America isn’t prepared to elect a woman president, pointing to recent female officeholders and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 popular-vote margin as evidence that voters will support women. Smith argued that campaign strategy and party decisions, rather than blanket voter reluctance, help explain some high-profile losses. Michelle Obama responded that cultural attitudes—particularly among some men—still pose a barrier, concluding she would not run because the electorate isn’t ready.
Stephen A. Smith Pushes Back on Michelle Obama’s Claim That America Isn’t Ready for a Woman President
Stephen A. Smith pushed back on Michelle Obama’s comment that America isn’t prepared to elect a woman president, pointing to recent female officeholders and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 popular-vote margin as evidence that voters will support women. Smith argued that campaign strategy and party decisions, rather than blanket voter reluctance, help explain some high-profile losses. Michelle Obama responded that cultural attitudes—particularly among some men—still pose a barrier, concluding she would not run because the electorate isn’t ready.
07:05 AM, 11/19/2025Politics
Television commentator Stephen A. Smith disputed former first lady Michelle Obama’s recent assertion that the United States is "not ready" to elect a woman president, arguing that recent elections show Americans will back female leaders.
On his program, Smith pointed to a string of Democratic women in elected office as evidence voters will support female candidates, mentioning Rep. Mikie Sherrill (N.J.), Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Va.) and Gov. Kathy Hochul (N.Y.), and he recalled Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 popular-vote margin as further proof of broad voter support for a woman at the top of the ticket.
“Didn't we just see an election take place last month where a woman won the gubernatorial seat in New Jersey — Mikie Sherrill? Didn't we just see Abigail Spanberger win in Virginia — the gubernatorial seat? Isn't Kathy Hochul the governor of New York? Am I missing something?”
Smith emphasized that Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 by roughly 2.9 million votes and challenged the interpretation that Americans are unwilling to elect a woman. He suggested that campaign strategy and resource allocation — where candidates campaigned and when party leaders moved to support or replace nominees — often play a decisive role in election outcomes.
Speaking about the recent presidential cycle, Smith argued that party dynamics and late decisions by party leaders can limit opportunities for alternative candidates and shape public perceptions about electability. He cautioned against attributing every electoral loss to voters’ unwillingness to support female candidates.
“What do you mean we weren't ready?” Smith asked, adding that many voters across demographic groups supported Clinton in 2016.
Smith also praised Michelle Obama, saying he believes she would have been a formidable candidate had she chosen to run. He reiterated his respect for her while disagreeing with her conclusion that the electorate is broadly unready to be led by a woman.
Michelle Obama: “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready. That’s why I’m like, ‘Don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.'”
“You know, we’ve got a lot of growing up to do, and there’s still, sadly, a lot of men who do not feel like they can be led by a woman, and we saw it,” she added during an appearance promoting her book.
Observers on both sides of the debate agree the question of whether the United States is ready to elect a woman president is complex. Smith framed recent female electoral successes and strategic campaign decisions as evidence that voter willingness exists, while Michelle Obama emphasized cultural and gender biases that she believes continue to shape outcomes.
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