A newspaper clipping from almost sixty years ago has revealed how Minnesota residents used to feel about the idea of the US having a female president.
The old article from a November 1963 issue of the Minneapolis Tribute has resurfaced on Twitter, where it is causing quite a stir among 21st-century readers.
In the clipping, three men and two women are asked by reporter Duane Braley to give their take on the question: "Would a woman make a good president?"
Of the five respondents, four were dead certain that a woman wouldn't be capable of holding down the job.
Frank Kapma said: "No. Today their mind is one way and the next day, it changes," while Tom Romanowski added: "No. I don't have that much faith in women to let them run the country."
Both female respondents agreed that a female president was a bad idea. Mrs. Tom Romanowski said: "No. A woman is too likely to give in. They might not stand their ground when they should,"
And Mrs. Maureen Mellum answered: "No. A man is more responsible. Women have enough problems without being president."
It was only Verne Hause of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, who surprised readers with his unexpectedly feminist take on the idea. Far from dismissing a female president, Verne was of the opinion that it might not be such a bad idea.
"She couldn't do any worse than some we've had," he answered.
The clipping doesn't specify when in November 1963 it was published, but needless to say, the month was a turbulent time for US presidential history. On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas and swiftly replaced by his former Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Regardless of its historical context, the clipping - and in particular Verne's answer - has resonated with contemporary readers. Since it was shared last week by Minneapolis realtor Nate Pentz, the newspaper article has gone viral on Twitter, amassing over 23,000 likes.
Meanwhile, many users have taken to the comments section to applaud Verne for his progressive and insightful views.
"Preach it, Vern! A true feminist," one person commented, while another wrote: "Vern was a man ahead of his time. The others - jeez."
Another user pointed out that the married Romanowskis were clearly influencing each other's answers. "But what was going on with the Romanowskis," they commented.
