Should The Clinton Campaign Let This Comment Slide?

[DrCarolyn]

I was just watching CNN and heard one of the commentators, Jay Carney say that he believes "Senator Clinton’s gender plays a big role in her support from suburban people". Last week we saw Geraldine Ferraro slammed for making a very similar comment over Senator Obama's race.

I am all for getting away from these superficial controversies and getting back to the core issues. However, if the Obama camp is going to make the issue of race a political mine field, the Clinton campaign should consider speaking out against equally discriminating comments against Senator Clinton.

[G4Hillary]

I agree. We didn't make the rules, but if that's how it's going to be, we can play that game too.

[Lodi]

Yeah, but what about the Hillary-Barck peace agreement they made yesterday?

[lucky-ann]

well, it do not violate the Hillary-Barack peace agreement xD it was a cnn commentator and not a member of BO's campaign, right?

[CGP]

I was just watching CNN and heard one of the commentators, Jay Carney say that he believes "Senator Clinton’s gender plays a big role in her support from suburban people". Last week we saw Geraldine Ferraro slammed for making a very similar comment over Senator Obama's race.

I am all for getting away from these superficial controversies and getting back to the core issues. However, if the Obama camp is going to make the issue of race a political mine field, the Clinton campaign should consider speaking out against equally discriminating comments against Senator Clinton.

EXCELLENT POINT.

[RayinAR]

I was just watching CNN and heard one of the commentators, Jay Carney say that he believes "Senator Clinton’s gender plays a big role in her support from suburban people". Last week we saw Geraldine Ferraro slammed for making a very similar comment over Senator Obama's race.

I am all for getting away from these superficial controversies and getting back to the core issues. However, if the Obama camp is going to make the issue of race a political mine field, the Clinton campaign should consider speaking out against equally discriminating comments against Senator Clinton.

I totally agree with you on this and Am very glad to see you back DrCarolyn.

[tcbwriter]

I was just watching CNN and heard one of the commentators, Jay Carney say that he believes "Senator Clinton’s gender plays a big role in her support from suburban people". Last week we saw Geraldine Ferraro slammed for making a very similar comment over Senator Obama's race.

I am all for getting away from these superficial controversies and getting back to the core issues. However, if the Obama camp is going to make the issue of race a political mine field, the Clinton campaign should consider speaking out against equally discriminating comments against Senator Clinton.
I agree. The only problem is that he's a member of the media (correct?) and not a part of Obama's campaign.

That said, it is one more example of a sexist remark by a media member that nobody pays any attention to because apparently sexism is no big deal, whereas most everybody gets their dander up over racism. Sexism is so ingrained in our history and our culture that most people don't hear or see it. When somebody does notice and brings it up, the reaction they get is rolling of the eyes and treated like they are some type of radical nut case.

Again, I suggest this comment be directed to Media Matters for America. Is there a clip we can share with them? A link to the transcript of the interview. If you can post here, I can forward to them or you can forward directly to them at mm-tips@mediamatters.org

Thanks!

[B positive]

Great to hear from you, DrCarolyn!

I don't think the campaign should comment directly on Churchgate... let the rediculousness echo on... also, I've noticed that the media is territorial about scandal. Once the campaign joins in commenting on a FLUFF scandal, the media seems to back off the scandal and begin reporting that Hillary's people are "capitalizing" on making a "small story into something bigger." You know how it goes!

I do think that Hillary should make a statement in a week or two (perhaps at the debate) that racial/gender politics are alive and well... something we have to realize and not dwell on.

Great to hear from you, DrCarolyn!

[tcbwriter]

EXCELLENT POINT.
. . . and convenient, dontcha think?

[hobbitt]

However, if the Obama camp is going to make the issue of race a political mine field, the Clinton campaign should consider speaking out against equally discriminating comments against Senator Clinton.

Senator Obama is in a world of hurt, and it ain't over yet.

To wade into this quagmire would be foolhardy. Don't offer yourself up as a target, don't give the opponent an opportunity to make you the issue.


The most the Clinton campaign should say is something absolutely non-committal like 'Senator Clinton sincerely hopes that the Democratic Primary Campaign will soon return to a meaningful discussion of the issues facing America. '

[Oregonian4Hill]

The most the Clinton campaign should say is something absolutely non-committal like 'Senator Clinton sincerely hopes that the Democratic Primary Campaign will soon return to a meaningful discussion of the issues facing America. '

Yes! I love it!

[luvhillary]

Right now if the media is in a full negative attack on Obama and his church, Rezko, etc. then let them be. We don't want to distract from it. :)

[tcbwriter]

Here are the transcripts that include Jay Carson's remarks:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0803/14/twip.01.html

FOREMAN: And how do you explain this business of Hillary Clinton right now? Because I am surprised. In some ways, you could say she's so, as I said, welded to the base of her party, you wouldn't think she would be in play with the suburblicans, but she does to be for some of them.

CARNEY: Well, she does. And I think her gender plays a big factor in that, because I think a lot of suburban vote -- and there's a big female vote in the suburbs that matters a lot and tends to swing even more than the male vote.

[UpstateNYRN]

As a "male" Hillary supporter I can tell you this cannot be just about her being "female". While it needs to be recognized as a historic moment, it also needs to be made clear that "she" is the best "person" for the job "period". I wish they would make a commercial showing a man with his kids stating "I'm doing it for my kids", a man with his elderly mother stating "I'm doing it for my mom", a man hiking saying "I'm doing it for the environment" and man working in a factory..."I'm doing it for my job", a man with his wife..."I'm doing it for us". At the end of the commercial they should show the men together and have them saying "we are all men, we all have our reasons and we are all for Hillary". There are many men out there like myself who are already excitedly supporting Hillary and many others sitting on the side lines waiting to be told they are welcome to join in. Lets get them on board. We need every vote. When Hillary wins we all win. :)

[DrCarolyn]

What a great discussion. I missed the blogs! Glad to be back. In reading through everyone's comments I think I favor keeping the negative spotlight on Obama while focussing on emphasizing Hillary's strengths. If, however, there is another racially fueled "issue", we can keep this in our back pocket to use as needed.

[Jayling]

As a "male" Hillary supporter I can tell you this cannot be just about her being "female". While it needs to be recognized as a historic moment, it also needs to be made clear that "she" is the best "person" for the job "period". I wish they would make a commercial showing a man with his kids stating "I'm doing it for my kids", a man with his elderly mother stating "I'm doing it for my mom", a man hiking saying "I'm doing it for the environment" and man working in a factory..."I'm doing it for my job", a man with his wife..."I'm doing it for us". At the end of the commercial they should show the men together and have them saying "we are all men, we all have our reasons and we are all for Hillary". There are many men out there like myself who are already excitedly supporting Hillary and many others sitting on the side lines waiting to be told they are welcome to join in. Lets get them on board. We need every vote. When Hillary wins we all win. :)
I LOVE this idea!

NY, please send this to the tips section over at hillaryclinton.com. This would be a wonderful ad!

-----

*waves HELLOOO to DrCarolyn!!!

[UpstateNYRN]

I tried to send the idea to the HillaryClinton.com site but was unsuccessful. If anyone wants to share the concept and has access please feel free. I think it is not only an inclusive approach but a necessary one if we want to win. I'm glad others agree. :)

[Kathy in NH]

I had already sent it! I emailed to tips@ and also sent it via the contact us form submission. I included the full text and a link back to this post topic. I think the more who send it, the better... I think it's an EXCELLENT idea for an ad. Different...

[UpstateNYRN]

A big thank you for the help in moving this idea forward. I hope this gets to enough of the right people so it is considered.
UpstateNYRN

[movingtous]

Welcome back, Doc! I'm vacationing in Steamboat, Colorado. The weather is marvelous, and I even have internet connection for my laptop. Life is wonderful:p

[joeysky18]

I like to think that Hillary embrace the ideal that she appeals to women voters block. What is wrong with that? And besides it's a fact we can't deny it. That 101 years old lady already said in TX.

BUT, we should make a point that. HRC is not gonna win DEM nominee or GE relying solely on women block. The same way as BO can't win solely on AA block. they need to appeal to other group of voters. And HRC has more diversity of voters, i.e. senior, women, Latino, blue-collars.

[freespirit]

Great to hear from you, DrCarolyn!

I don't think the campaign should comment directly on Churchgate... let the rediculousness echo on... also, I've noticed that the media is territorial about scandal. Once the campaign joins in commenting on a FLUFF scandal, the media seems to back off the scandal and begin reporting that Hillary's people are "capitalizing" on making a "small story into something bigger." You know how it goes!

I do think that Hillary should make a statement in a week or two (perhaps at the debate) that racial/gender politics are alive and well... something we have to realize and not dwell on.

Great to hear from you, DrCarolyn!

This is a very good point. Let the media carry this ball. Of course, if it is kept alive, it will be by Fox. CNN is reporting it, but has had pundits comment that it's not such a big deal, that African Americans have used the church to promote social and political change for decades. Well, Anderson, the IRS does not care whether promoting a specific candidate is a tradition or not. It's not legal for a church -that receives tax free status - to do so.

[jerseygirl7]

This is a very good point. Let the media carry this ball. Of course, if it is kept alive, it will be by Fox. CNN is reporting it, but has had pundits comment that it's not such a big deal, that African Americans have used the church to promote social and political change for decades. Well, Anderson, the IRS does not care whether promoting a specific candidate is a tradition or not. It's not legal for a church -that receives tax free status - to do so.



Southern Knight: please email that spoiled brat Anderson and give him the IRS facts. JUST KEEPING THEM HONEST, ANDERSON!!!

Where is Aaron Brown when we need him! I would like to think he would not fall into the kool-aid vat!

[UpstateNYRN]

Hillary certainly does appeal to the women voter block and that is great, but we are not looking for a president to represent women "only" any more than a president who represents only African Americans. The idea that because we share the same color or sex we somehow have a special connection that no one else can share is flawed and counter productive, as it promotes an environment easily perceived as racism and sexism. Hillary has my vote and support because of her experience, knowledge, heart and grit. Obama does not have my support because in my opinion he shares none of those qualities. I want what is best for our country and my children and know that Hillary is our best hope. Voting for someone simply because they are of the same sex or because they share the same skin color is a poor reason to do so, just as not voting for someone for those same reasons. If women want to claim exclusive ownership of Hillary they cannot then complain should she not win because of "sexism". See my point! People do not generally go where they are not wanted and we want "everyone". I know there are many men like myself who love their families, friends, and country and are supporting Hillary because of what she has to offer. I just want to let the world know we are out there and invite all others to join in help make this happen.

[Teri B.]

Some voters say sexism less offensive than racism (http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/15/kaye.ohioracegender/index.html)

By Randi Kaye
CNN
Editor's Note: CNN reached out to a group of Ohio women to get their views on the role sexism and racism are playing in the presidential race.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CNN) -- The simple fact that either Hillary Clinton, a white woman, or Barack Obama, a black man, will likely be the Democratic nominee for president is fueling a nationwide debate about how sexism and racism may shape this campaign.

At a tea party with members of Columbus, Ohio's Junior League we posed the question: Is overt sexism more acceptable than overt racism?

Voter Babette Feibel told us, "Sexism of the nature Hillary Clinton is experiencing has been around as kind of an acceptable joke for years. As far as racism, it's definitely not politically correct or acceptable."

Hillary Clinton has had to deal with plenty. At a rally, hecklers yelled to her to iron their shirts. Radio host Rush Limbaugh told listeners, "Will this country want to actually watch a woman get older before their eyes on a daily basis?"

MSNBC's Chris Matthews suggested "the reason she's a U.S. senator, the reason she's a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around."

Hillary Clinton's hairdos, ankles and even her cleavage have sparked discussion.

"To make it about her cleavage or fat ankles, it is ridiculous. That is offensive!" said voter Melissa Barrett Kirtley.

Most of the junior leaguers saidthey thought similar attacks on Barack Obama's race would spark more outrage.

Why, then, does it appear this behavior toward Clinton is accepted?

Dr. Yvonne Scrubbs-Leftwich, a former president of Black Leadership Forum and now a professor at the National Labor College, suggests racial guilt may have something do with this behavior.

"There have been enough examples now of how misguided the earlier stereotypes and characterizations of African-Americans have been so that there has been in fact some overt adjustment to how African-Americans are addressed and are verbally considered in public."

At our tea party, voter Mabel Freeman told CNN: "In this country, as awful as sexism has been, people lost their lives for civil rights."

Obama hasn't been free of jabs, a few have come his way.

He's been called a fundamentalist Muslim even though he's a Christian, and his middle name, Hussein, has been compared to Saddam Hussein.

Even Limbaugh, not playing favorites, aired a song about Obama called, "Barack the Magic Negro."

Why does it appear to be all uphill for Hillary Clinton while Barack Obama's "racial teflon," as some columnists and bloggers call it, deflects most of the comments about him?

Feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem recently wrote in a New York Times Op-Ed piece, in which she endorsed Clinton, that "gender is the most restricting force in America," not race.

Ohio voter Mary Austin Palmer agrees, "You always have to go three extra miles so that you can say I'm at least on par with you."

Online, Clinton is targeted, too. Clinton toilet brushes are being marketed as your "First Cleaning Lady" and a Clinton nutcracker is also for sale. It cracks nuts between her legs. That left the womenwe talked to in Ohio outraged.

And remember when the New York senator's eyes teared up in New Hampshire?

Mary Austin Palmer said if the election had been that day, she would've pulled the lever for Hillary Clinton. "They attacked her as a woman, I felt like you know, if we cry, then we are weak," she said. Asked what they thought might happen if Obama cried on the campaign trail? Voter Carolyn Pettigrew laughed, and suggested, "they would probably say he was a very sensitive male."

Still, experts warn subtle racism might be more dangerous than overt sexism.

In other words, at least the sexism is out there and Clinton can defend herself against it. With subtle racism, there's little chance. Scruggs-Leftwich warns, "The kind of offensive behavior that you recognize the minute it begins to unfold can be defended against in a very different way from the way that one has to strategize, to defend against subtle racism."

One voter says Bill Clinton's gentle reminder to voters that like Obama, Jesse Jackson won South Carolina too could be seen as subtle racism. Carolyn Pettigrew, a black woman, suggests, "that is code for reminding majority people, he is an African-American."

With more than eight months to go before the election, it's too early to know just how sexism or racism might affect the vote, but the women at the Junior League say, even though they're trying to focus on the issues, it's tough to ignore gender and race.

[eeslaomd]

As a "male" Hillary supporter I can tell you this cannot be just about her being "female". While it needs to be recognized as a historic moment, it also needs to be made clear that "she" is the best "person" for the job "period". I wish they would make a commercial showing a man with his kids stating "I'm doing it for my kids", a man with his elderly mother stating "I'm doing it for my mom", a man hiking saying "I'm doing it for the environment" and man working in a factory..."I'm doing it for my job", a man with his wife..."I'm doing it for us". At the end of the commercial they should show the men together and have them saying "we are all men, we all have our reasons and we are all for Hillary". There are many men out there like myself who are already excitedly supporting Hillary and many others sitting on the side lines waiting to be told they are welcome to join in. Lets get them on board. We need every vote. When Hillary wins we all win. :)

why don't you send this to hillaryclinton.com? it's a brilliant idea for a campaign video! please!