Palin Coverage Not Sexist, Former McCain VP Hopeful Says

Just hours after aides to John McCain accused the media and Sen. Barack Obama of engaging in sexist and chauvinist treatment of Sarah Palin, another prominent member of McCain's team said the coverage has been neither sexist nor driven by Obama.

Former Rep. Rob Portman, an adviser to the Arizona Republican, argued in a brief interview with the Huffington Post that while the coverage of Palin's family travails has on occasion been out of bounds, there was no inherent gender bias to it. Moreover, Portman lauded the Obama campaign for condemning the personalized scrutiny of the presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee.

"I don't know if [the coverage] would be any worse for her than it would be someone else... Over the line is over the line and both Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden have made statements this week saying that it is over the line, saying that children of candidates really ought to be outside the political fray," said Portman, a former Bush administration official and a one-time potential McCain VP himself. "I think it is absolutely fair to look at someone's record... And it is appropriate for the media to look at that because, in a sense, the media keeps us all honest about what our positions are and if we are consistent. Where it goes over the line is when it becomes about the private life of the family. And to the extent that that does not affect public policy decisions, which in the case of the discussion this week about Gov. Palin's family it does not, I do think it is over the line."

Following days of withering scrutiny of Palin's personal and political record, McCain's campaign has pushed back by accusing the fourth estate of orchestrating an "outrageous smear campaign" to derail her candidacy. Much of it, they have added, was driven by a gender bias. Some, they insinuated, came from the Obama campaign.

"The Republican Party will not stand by while Sarah Palin is subjected to sexist attacks," said aide Carly Fiorina.

Earlier, Fiorina claimed to be "appalled by the Obama campaign's attempts to belittle Governor Sarah Palin's experience." American women, she added, "are more highly tuned than ever to recognize and decry sexism in all its forms. They will not tolerate sexist treatment of Governor Palin."

Also on Wednesday, McCain's national campaign co-chair and former CEO of e-Bay, Meg Whitman told Fox News that the media vetting of Palin had been "completely fair," and refuted the idea that there had been "sexism" in the coverage.

"I actually think it's completely fair for the media to vet Sarah Palin," Whitman said. It is, she added, "the right thing to do" for the media to dig into the background of someone who is "running for the highest office in the land."

Asked if, in the wake of the countless stories and inquiries into Palin's position and life, he felt a sense of relief over not having been tapped as McCain's VP, Portman jokingly replied in the affirmative. The frenzy, he added, "is kind of what I expected."

Comments

[HeIsTheOne]

As a woman, anyone saying the inquiries of whether or not Sarah Palin is a qualified candidate for VPOTUS or POTUS, are sexist, is absolutely ridiculous. These inquiries are based on ability OR LACK OF ABILITY.

I personally can't wait for the NYTimes or Wapo have their first news conference (without Dana Parino) with Palin and ask her all the questions that won't be answered tonight.

Can't wait.

[kesiac]

They think just because they don't answer questions, the media should stop asking them.

[kesiac]

Just heard Chris Matthews say the worst critique that has ever been leveled against the press. "Saying that the press is in bed with the establishment. Digging up the dirt is their job".

[sheisme]

Someone has to vet. And hiding Palin away does nothing but fan the flames of curiosity. Why can't she face the media and their questions? Our questions? Then you hear the GOP spinning her favor on mic and ridiculing the pick off mic. Huh? Is it any wonder that this country has turned cynical and disbelieving when everyone on TV is lying or spinning a yarn? My gut says that anyone who wants to ban books is a bad choice for freedom. That anyone who tries to win at all costs is a bad bet for honesty or honor. That anyone who would endanger the life of an unborn child to give a speech or throw a vulnerable teen-age child to the wolves is unfit to make decisions for my children or grandchildren ... or any child in this country.

[foxbat]

I'm surprised that no one has commented on how it is that the Republicans will be so adept at playing/recognizing the gender card. You know that for the last four years they've been planning to run against Hillary Clinton, so you KNOW that they have kinds of "gender innuendo" talking points that they were going to work from. Now the new memo goes out that looks like the old memo, except it has the title at the top which reads "Use these talking points to subtly hit at Senator Clinton's gender" that has been replaced by "Anytime you hear anything like this, just say sexism and blame the other side."

You know if Clinton was the nominee or the VP choice that the primaries would have looked like a schoolyard spat once Rove's disciples got involved. It's not about country first, it's about figuring how to spin and distract the voters long enough that by the time someone really looks at the issues, it'll be another four years before anything can be done about it. As we say in football, you keep running the same play until the defense figures out how to stop it. This is a play that has been used constantly by the Repubs against the Dems; however, I think this year the Dems, or more specifically the Obama campaign, has a new playbook and has figured out how to defend against the tried and true play.

[Grunty1]

We are surprised only that they played the sexist card so early in the game.

[alguien]

i can only imagine what other sorts of things they do early in the game.

[GSMRaleigh]

Hmmmm....we have definitely been distracted these last few days. Kind of scary. Wonder what Cheney has been up to while we've been vetting Palin? Dear lord...they say she is a quick study. Keep her away from Cheney!

[deb123]

Good God! Have we forgotten the daily shredding of Obama over the past nineteen months? Some may say he was the media darling, but as I recall, it was a feeding frenzy and a bashing by his own party hopefuls -- and especially on the "internets." McCain is complaining because the press is doing their job (and his)? I am sick to death of the Republicans dictating what we're to think about everything they say and do. ENOUGH! Do your job media and let's hope the truth can travel faster than the lies. Thank you, Rob Portman, for giving an honest appraisal.

[bison1]

Oh the Gender card! At the same time I hear strategist saying Joe Biden bears the burden of having to adjust his behavior in a vice-presidential debate so as not to appear as through he is bullying Palin.

[ahilpuge]

After all aren't Sarah Palin and John McCain responsible for putting Bristol Palin into the national spotlight?

[obamasOHangel]

Affirmative!

[eladora]

Good for him. Everyone coming to the aid of their party (wasnt that the line we all learned when we started typing class) will have to pay for their words in the future. I would not even go on the limb, let alone to the end of it.

[Dynamohum]

Sarah Palin's story reminds me of the movie "Election" with Reese Witherspoon. If you have never seen it, you absolutely need to watch it. It is a hysterical really dark black comedy about ambition, popularity, ruthlessness, double standards, morals and ethics or lack thereof.

That being said it is a cautionary tale about unbridled political aspirations. Matthew Broderick was great as the teacher. Must see in this election season especially because of Sarah Palin. And no I am not sexist. This movie could not be applied to Hillary Clinton, not even a little bit.

[ByersL]

Perfect comparison! Reese with a beehive! Yikes!

[kawreader]

Yikes. Carly Fiorina is just grabbing at air to attract any dumb women she can.

[Azmom]

Yup. I feel embarrassed for her.

[redsongia]

They would have been better off waiting until a few ARGUABLY sexist comments accrued before proceeding with that strategy. Hillary was in the race and was getting beaten up pretty good for months before those complaints came out, and they were always directed at "the media" not some person who's statements you could examine to see they were clearly NOT sexist.

[BMS]

To Rob Portman and Meg Whitman -

Thank you for having the guts and character to stand up and speak the truth. I'm sure you received the same Talking Points Memo as all other republicans today, but you have the character to ignore it and put the interest of the american people first. I am sure there are many responsible republicans who are too afraid to speak up. We need to hear from more of them. The american people deserve better than a rushed, last-minute, unvetted candidate. There is so much at stake, and Ms. Palin needs to show that she is ready for the job. John McCain doesn't get to make that decision all on his own.

Also, thank you to the media who are doing their jobs. (especially Campbell Brown)

[LeawoodKansas]

I am canceling my e-bay account tomorrow. That was the most stupid speech I have ever heard and I cannot fathom that she would make any more money from me.

[IzzyCA]

Meg Whitman quit eBay, so you don't have to cancel your account.

[Teeninchee]

HOW do these same people dare cry foul now? GENDER CARD? Give me a break. Obama is male and they tried to crucify him 24/7 for weeks. Calling this sexism is interesting. Questions =VETTING when they're asking, when they dog your spouse, when they denigrate your experience. This woman called Hillary a whiner during her campaign season. Don't start whining FOR Sarah. Hillary had to suck it up; Sarah does too. We heard glowing things about who she is and what she has done. PROVE IT. Stop spinning it. You know the 4-1-1? Tell it. Honest people don't hide from the truth being told or hide the truth from being known.

Palin's stance on sex education, abortion...the values of family/per Religions Right--Bristol's pregnancy gets mentioned. The media jumped on the Bush twins when they got 'out of line and Cheney's ADULT daughter. Vetting? Your FAMILY gets some of it. Should have prepared for it, or NOT SUBJECTED THEM TO THE PROCESS. What? McCain going to protect the little woman? GET REAL. American politics is major league hardball. Can't pitch, hit or run, GET OFF THE TEAM. You can take a hit in the game. (Tell your family stay in the stands/ watch for pop fouls.)

[thecanadian]

Great work. Two Mccain/bushie insiders speak out and defend media and Obama. No spin there from the desperate Mccain house!

[Teeninchee]

My Conservative Republican candidate "lost" early in the season, so I just watched the political process. I HAVE BEEN SHOCKED, EMBARRASSED, ENRAGED by the behavior/comments told on the Democratic hopefuls by D/R/Is. From 2004 until this year (when it appeared Obama would defeat Clinton), Fox (my favorite channel UNTIL THAT TIME) planned to defeat Clinton. Not voting for her; I didn't really care/should have cared. They were for anyone BUT Clinton ("ABC") Then I watched that shame machine destroy all of the (R) candidates until they realized they were going to be STUCK with McCain. They tried to back-pedal to Romney...too late. What to do? Make sure that Hillary won 'ause they did not think McCain could beat Obama. They KNEW the Clinton haters would come out in force were she the candidate. They tossed any and every thing to the spin-meisters in order to destroy a man most of the country only saw at the 2004 Democratic convention. We did not know him; we don't know Palin. Strange. Some of the very people who LOVED that senator in 2004 and wanted to convert him to "our side" were suddenly spewing venom in the media about him. They didn't care if it hurt his family or not or whether it was true or not. They played whatever "card" they chose in an effort to derail his candidacy.

Thank you for having the sense and character to call it what it IS.

[StillIRise]

I tried to post this before, but I was told that my comment was posted before I posted it, so we'll see what happens this time:

I so agree with your comments. Fox News literally HATED the Clintons for sixteen years, and for the last four years, they waited with baited breath for Hillary to be the Democratic nominee so they could defeat her, no matter who their nominee would be! In fact, it was Fox who first began calling Hillary "the presumptive nominee." When it became apparent that Senator Obama was gaining momentum, their sole objective was to destroy his candidacy so that Hillary would still be in the running and they could restore her to her rightful place as the nominee they could defeat, and they simply didn't care about the lives and reputations that would be devastated by their lies and slander. When Senator Obama won the nomination, they knew he would also win the election, especially against McCain who was their weakest and least preferred candidate, and this laid the groundwork for their next gimmick: Sarah Palin. I want to believe that Fox News and the Republican operatives behind these despicable machinations do not represent the values of mainstream Republicans, and your post has helped to affirm my belief.