Sexism Against Clinton: ‘Sharp Reality’ in Media
Panelists Discuss Lessons Learned During Democratic Primary at Lifetime Event
By Kent Gibbons -- Multichannel News, 7/22/2008 11:01:00 AM
New York—“We always tell our daughters you can do anything—but I think the sharp reality was portrayed in Hillary’s race,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D.-N.Y.) said at a Lifetime Television-sponsored event Monday, referring to “a big undercurrent of sexism, misogyny and stereotyping” against Hillary Clinton during her campaign for president.
Politics and feminism were the topics at the event, a panel discussion with Maloney; Martha Burk, who led an unsuccessful campaign five years ago to force the Augusta National Golf Club (site of the Master’s tournament) to admit women, and Rep. Kay Granger (R.-Texas). Talk frequently circled back to Sen. Clinton’s campaign, and the general question of when a woman might get elected president.
“I think we will have a woman president in my lifetime,” Granger said.
Maloney said that even though Clinton, a New York Democrat, lost the primary campaign to Sen. Barack Obama (D.-Ill.)—and despite what Burk said were sexist comments that would have caused a huge outrage had they been “racial slurs”—the Clinton campaign makes it more likely a woman will be elected commander in chief.
“I think she lifted up the self esteem of women across the country, across the world,” Maloney said. Clinton raised $190 million in the primary race and got 18 million votes, she said. “I think she helped all of us. I think she’d be an incredibly important pick for vice president.”
Burk said the sexist overtones—she cited a November 2007 campaign event in which a questioner of Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.) called Clinton “the bitch” and McCain didn’t object to the term in his response—even had a potentially positive side effect. “I do think it raised some consciousness,” she said. “I think it was a wake-up call for a lot of women to say ‘Gee, I had no idea there was that much blatant misogyny out there.’ And that not only the media moguls but the American public tolerated it.”
Maloney said terms such as “castrating” were used against Clinton and said it was now much more likely that blogs such as Media Matters will point out when sexist statements are made against politicians.
Granger said it was important for there to be a woman as president and a woman as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“For those of us who serve in politics, you want to see other women there to encourage you to run,” she said, adding that she was surprised that 12 years after she first went to Congress she remains the only female representing Texas in the House.
The evening event—co-sponsored by Redbook magazine and held at the Hearst Tower in midtown Manhattan—was billed as a book party, and attendees received copies of the three women’s current books. It was also tied in with Redbook and Lifetime’s Every Woman Counts public-affairs campaign. ABC News’s Lynn Sherr asked the questions.
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Whining b1tches, quit crying over spilt milk and fall in line. Maybe if your queen b-itch had not acted like the nomination was hers to step forward and take, she would have competed more judiciously, less presumptuously, and come out cleanly victorious. Being a thorn in the side of the winner is exactly what being a big-itch is about. Ten years from now, see how the rest of the country reacts to the next woman who tries to lead the country. They'll say something like this: "Remember that last b-itch who came in a close second and refused to bow out graciously both in words and deed ...?"
That's going to be her legacy, li'l lying b-itch... And I'm not even misogynistic... sort of like how Sir Clinton is not racist... but I digress.
Troll - 8/8/2008 4:28:00 AM EDT -
Whining b1tches, quit crying over spilt milk and fall in line. Maybe if your queen b-itch had not acted like the nomination was hers to step forward and take, she would have competed more judiciously, less presumptuously, and come out cleanly victorious. Being a thorn in the side of the winner is exactly what being a big-itch is about. Ten years from now, see how the rest of the country reacts to the next woman who tries to lead the country. They'll say something like this: "Remember that last b-itch who came in a close second and refused to bow out graciously both in words and deed ...?"
That's going to be her legacy, li'l lying b-itch... And I'm not even misogynistic... sort of like how Sir Clinton is not racist... but I digress.
Troll - 8/8/2008 4:27:00 AM EDT -
I''m happy for someone to admit what actual good Hillary''s campaign brought to our gender. I am heart sick at the outcome! I am one of the "sad supporters" who still want to fight tooth and nail to get her in the White House. I have three daughters(twins 24, a surprise, 15) and one son,18...those of voting age followed the primaries. All were in shock at how Hillary was treated in general. My husband as well. Wake up call indeed! Now we are forced to vote for a candidate who we have no trust or faith in (Obama) or a candidate I trust, respect and know but disagree with on many issues. I will never be loyal to a party again(I was for 30 years). I saw the loyality of my party to "the popular vote"! Had "she" been a "he" I have NO doubt the primary out-come would have been different. I thought for years I WAS a democrate but this year I have realized I''m not because I am in no way am I liberal, more center on most all issues. I can not and will not vote for Obama so that leaves me McCain. At least he has earned the office with his service as a war vet, prisoner, and senator. Thanks again for the great article.
Sherri See - 7/23/2008 6:52:00 PM EDT -
I am a woman who raised two daughters, and encouraged them to be all they could be. I believe what was done to Hillary Clinton during the campaign set women's rights back to 1920. Derogatory remarks were made about her pants suits, her laugh, and fault made with every comment she made and every speach. Remarks were made by celebrities, by the media and just about every newspaper. I am disgusted!
Charlene - 7/23/2008 6:32:00 PM EDT
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