Final answer:
The author likely suggests that Shirley Chisholm did not have a real chance of winning the presidency in 1972, facing challenges such as limited support and exclusion from debates, despite her historical significance and primary victories.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining the historical context and the challenges she faced, it becomes apparent that while Shirley Chisholm did make significant strides, the author of the article likely suggests that Chisholm did not have a realistic chance of winning the presidency in 1972. Despite her victories in several state primaries and her role as a groundbreaking figure in American politics, Chisholm encountered significant obstacles. These included limited support from her own Congressional Black Caucus, exclusion from televised primary debates, and only being allowed one speech. Ultimately, the Democratic nomination went to George McGovern who, despite facing his own difficulties during the campaign, was seen as the front-runner over Chisholm.
Although Chisholm's bid was viable enough to win her several states in the primaries and 10 percent of the total Democratic delegates, these facts, combined with the social and political environment of the time, suggest her candidacy was more about challenging the status quo and less about having a true chance at the presidency.