NYT Public Editor: Dowd "Went Over the Top" in Clinton Coverage

In an article on media sexism in the Democratic primary, NYT Public Editor Clark Hoyt singles out Maureen Dowd's columns as deserving more scrutiny:

Peggy Aulisio of South Dartmouth, Mass., said, "A real review of your own stories and columns is warranted." I think so too. And I think a fair reading suggests that The Times did a reasonably good job in its news articles. But Dowd's columns about Clinton's campaign were so loaded with language painting her as a 50-foot woman with a suffocating embrace, a conniving film noir dame and a victim dependent on her husband that they could easily have been listed in that Times article on sexism, right along with the comments of Chris Matthews, Mike Barnicle, Tucker Carlson or, for that matter, Kristol.

While arguing that many complaints about Times' coverage "reflect a shoot-the-messenger anger," Hoyt concludes that complaints about Dowd in particular were justified: "She, I think, by assailing Clinton in gender-heavy terms in column after column, went over the top this election season."

Read more about anti-Clinton sexism in the media here.

Comments

[PDXPLT]

But is it "sexist" if the remarks are made by a female commentator? That's a core question here. Like African-American musicians who consider themselves free to use terms that would get Don Imus in big trouble (an opinion generally confirmed by the public's indifference to them), I bet Dowd feels she has "immunity", and is free to make snide anti-female remarks because, well, she is one.

I agree with others that she's largely a left-mirror-image version of Anne Coulter. I'm sure she thinks her columns filled with snide little observations are wonderfully witty, but they add little to the discourse.

[vocalist]

Dowd, get a life, get over Hillary Clinton and and move on, oh and wait , take your partner in crime, Peggy with you on to your next pasture....

[MNmommy]

Dowd, second only to Noonan in Clinton hate.

[DocR]

As the NYT's rejoins the effort to prop up the disentegrating Bush Administration's effort for yet another ME war by attacking one of its best and most honest opinion writers. The Old Gray Lady is turning into a shadow of its former self. Sad.

[wsb25]

She's great!

[tploomis]

Maureen Dowd is fantastic! When she has a column in the NYT, it's the first thing I read. Apparently this is true for many who read the NYT, as her columns are consistently some of the top e-mailed articles from that paper. I thought her take on Hillary hit it on the head. I would read her articles and think 'I wish I had said that myself.' She exposed Hillary for exactly who she is. People that don't like that have their eyes closed. She goes after Obama, too, a guy I really like. She's got a great set of machine guns, and she mows 'em down!

[ESerafina42]

It's been a while, but the last I heard she was just _gushing_ over Obama. And yes, I would use that word about a man too. However, I wouldn't put it past her, once she's sure he's up, to try to tear him down again. She's right on the money sometimes, but I thought that her columns about Hillary were just as snide and nasty as the ones she wrote about Al Gore, which were part of the media onslaught that helped the R's steal the White House and get us into this mess in the first place.

Thanks, Maureen. NOT.

[ignorantwillyharper]

Some can comment and write, which is Dowd, then there are those thay can only comment.

[Heidfeld]

Dowd is a pretty face... and not much more. All of her male counterparts want to slep wit hher.. and not much more.

Her take on Clinton was completely myopic, and if you fell for it, the same can be said about you. Don't mock those whom you don't understand. Obviously Hillary is way over your head.

[kimota]

Dowd is just another example of the air-headed bloviating that poisons our political discourse. She's part of the problem, not the solution. Some people biased towards her might argue that there's a world of difference between calling a guy "Breck Girl" and "gay", but I don't buy it.

She and Coulter should go off to a desert isle for the duration of the election cycle and let the adults discuss politics.

[smoothdogie]

The supporters of Hillary just don't get it and I don't think they ever will. Hillary figured she had the nomination so she did what all candidates do...they run to the middle and in this case she totally pissed off the core of the party...the core that is liberal and hate her for her support of the war, her votes for corporate America, and so much more I could go for days. I am a white male....and as such I have an opportunity to vote for a black man for the first time in my life. You have to search your heart....do I vote for this man because he is black (God forbid me doing him that injustice) or do I vote for him because he has outlined an exciting agenda for our country. The same question had to be posed for Hillary. There was no comparison. I can proudly vote for Obama because I am NOT a racist and I can gladly reject Hillary because I am not a sexist. Its a great time to be a liberal in America!

[Bozwellian]

(uh, PART of the problem is that some of our "sisters" HATE to admit that indeed they were supporting HIllary more for "p[ersonal" reasonings of leveling "the FIELD"...and Hillary played to that particular audience with a vengence and played them for suckers knowing it was actually somewhat easy to tap/manipulate and create "that" atmospheric support. Dowd exposed alot of it and face it ladies, we too can often be "our" own critiquers and KNOW how valid critiqueing is !!! Am tired of the whine , the supposed miff-nessing and say too to the Clintons who are attempting blackmailing of Obama to help them retire the debts THEY ran up, go get you CLAIMED 18million supporters to chip in 2-3 dollars a piece , that should cover Penn's and others billings and even give Hillary and Bill back their 10 or 11 or 12 million they chipped in to PROLONG the INEVITIBLE LOSS OF THE ACTUAL SALE !!!
Thanks Maureen, you did point out lucidly and cryptically some vailid points with your poeticval license !!!

[buzzsaw]

The woman, who undoubtedly has a great series of columns in her past, has unfortunately recently exposed herself as a small minded ignorant shrew. Her looks are fading and life is passing her by without the acclaim she feels she deserves. Without those in power paying the obeisances she feels she so justly deserves. Sucks getting old Maureen but the least you can do is go gracefully! The sooner the better....

[LAcarlito]

terrific. you jump on the bandwagon of accusing Maureen Dowd of sexism and the first thing you do is state, "her looks are fading."

Now is that the pot calling the kettle black!

[Piatt]

A "shrew" with "fading" looks whose "life is passing her by"...probably would have been regarded as sexist had it been said of Senator Clinton. Dowd is an equal opportunity lampooner...she used to refer to Senator Obama as Obambi. I love her...keep up the good work, Ms. Dowd.

[jonmonbuckeye]

How is that possible? A woman being labled a sexist for writing about another woman?

[strifeknot]

Such an accusation is possible because the Cl!ntonistas are intensely bitter and stupid people.

[MNmommy]

Keep up the good work! Unite that party!!!

::eyeroll::

[Bozwellian]

LOL, well now that the primary partying is over, and the Clintons were UNABLE to close the sale, those 18million Hillary claims as HER supporters has somewhat broken CLINTON ranks and moved on to support THE Dem nominee...Most are pragmatic, many even admit they were supporting Hillary NOT for but semi "retributionary" reasonings and know too they joined for reasons OTHER THAN TRULY FIGURING HER THE BEST CHOICE, but more for a marker for ALL fems , to make a point and Hillary knew such was EASY to tap and COUNTED on that factor and TAP SHE DID !!! (any remember those tears in NH, she HAD been asked just how she managed to get up , make up/hair/wardrobe and look put together with such a grueling campaign sked...the particular day was a bad one with zadvisers basically conferring that all was quite dismal in graspig a victory, kinda got her "choked" up as seemed to be ending and those "tears" were NOT for US folks, they were in regard to PERSONAL AMBITIONS SEEMINGLY TO BE LOST...the story sure got twisted and she got SYMPATHY votes to kinda bolster her spirits, and then, well with a vengence, the attempt to "comeback" and ANYTHING AND ALL WAS WORTH EXPLOITING, kitchen sinks flew for sure, now with debt they are wanting their primary opponent to pick up their tab...

[ESerafina42]

It is possible - look at Ann Coulter or Clarence Thomas. You try to curry favor with the majority group by putting down your own.

[EricSaeger]

"...look at Ann Coulter or Clarence Thomas."

Fun! An Adams apple contest!

[longislandlol]

She writes a crisp, smooth, better than well-written column-- they are nuanced and very few columnists use nuance the way she does..

[mtrav]

dowd is a slug, the slithering kind.

[generaldelivery]

All of the mea culpa from the MSM is much too little much too late.
The damage is already done.
Admitting that they did a hatchet job on Hillary at least shuts up the idiots who claimed it wasn't happening at the time.

[suuzie]

Thank you Maureen Dowd for helping me to see who the real Clinton were and lessening the shock when the real Clintons were revealed.

[OkieMon]

big deal...so dowdy hates her mother....most women do...ask freud.....

[SlithyTove]

...better yet, ask "Dr." Laura, that pillar of family values.