Q & A Ali Vitali

Interview

- MEREDITH WOLF SCHIZER

Q What's the most important factor at play for voters deciding if a woman is a viable candidate?

A_ Everyone wants to back the candidate (man or woman) who can win-which is why "electability" is such an important metric...and why the way gender factors into how it's assessed is so important. Understanding the biases at play, and how they've manifested in recent election cycles for female candidates, is the work of this book so that we can disrupt those trends in real time going forward, leveling the playing field for candidates of both genders.

Women in positions of power walk a fine line-being forceful without being called bitchy, for example. What will it take to hold men and women to the same standards?

I think often about the ways reporters ask female candidates if they think they're "likable enough" or "can a woman win." It immediately puts them on defense and frames the question in a negative way-something male candidates don't face. Imagine asking a man, "are you likable enough to win?" or "can a man win this election?" Maybe we should [ask men the same questions]. That would level the playing field, while also showing the absurdity of some of these moments. But, of course, the counter is a woman just winning-showing once and for all that they can-and eroding the premise of the question entirely.

Has the #MeToo movement had an impact on the electability of female politicians? In what ways?