Article Summary #4

Book Review: “Notes from the Cracked Ceiling” by Anne E. Kornblut

Connie Schultz, “Book Review: ‘Notes from the Cracked Ceiling’ by Anne E. Kornblut,” Washington Post, January 31, 2010

“Notes from the Cracked Ceiling” by Anne E. Kornblut examines women’s many failed attempts to obtain political positions in the United States. Kornblut explains why she believes Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were unsuccessful during the 2008 election.

Kornblut criticizes John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate for the simple fact that there were no female strategists to help him make the decision. "Had a council of Republican women met to discuss the Palin choice ahead of time, they might have cautioned McCain that women are usually held to a higher standard, especially on questions of toughness and competence -- and that women won't switch party affiliation just to vote for a woman," she explains.

An important theme throughout “Notes from the Cracked Ceiling” is that women in politics are many times their own worst enemies. For example, Kornblut accuses Hillary Clinton of failing to appear favorable to the media.

The second half of “Notes from the Cracked Ceiling” takes on a more positive tone. Kornblut uses her effective interviewing abilities to demonstrate that it is possible for more women to get elected to political offices. She obtained much of her information from women, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who have already proved to be successful in gaining and maintaining political positions.