McCain To Female Audience: This Crowd Is So Emotional

Going into tonight's vice presidential debate, the chief concern among Democrats was that Sen. Joe Biden, whether accidentally or not, would somehow deliver a line against Sarah Palin that was deemed sexist.

Could John McCain just have beaten him to the punch?

At a town hall meeting in Denver late Thursday night, McCain addressed the predominantly female crowd (it was a women's town hall) with what was meant to be a comedic aside.

"My friends, I've had hundreds of town hall meetings around this country for many, many years and I've got to say, thanks to you and to you and to you this is one of the more impactful and emotional town hall meetings I've ever had. Maybe it's because it's a women's town hall."

Certainly, with the sensitivities surrounding race and gender in this campaign, off-the-cuff remarks like this have the potential to blow up. The McCain campaign will likely portray the comment as a joke, or perhaps even complimentary. But many women will undoubtedly see it as sexist and/or patronizing.

Comments

[nellie]

If the crowd is overly emotional, then it's because it's a Republican town hall. That party runs on emotionalism.

[SilentShout]

So true. I don't think they even understand HOW to be rational, just like they can't parse fact from opinion.

[redsongia]

Lame McCain.

[fetchezlavache]

"Impactful" is not a word. Maybe McCain is channeling Alexander Haig.

[deadcustodian]

Why does this cvnt hate America?

[iPolitics]

John McWomen are soooo emotional

[wagadog]

He's an A**hole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNzZzsvOClc

[Haditup2here]

. . . and a male version of a Drama Queen.

[Sadie1976]

McCain shows time after time that he clearly has no respect for women!

[TN]

First palin is his soulmate, then his partner. He is the true sexist with these definitions of his running mate.

[sheridare]

Talk about sexist--

[WolfLarsen]

Wow I think McCain is dragging down Palin.....

[AliLiz]

McCain is unacceptable...I don't care what political party you agree with, McCain's remarks at this Town Hall Meeting was unacceptable...very bad.

[karenigma]

Why does Palin alays have that snarky smile on her face when she addresses serious subjects that require crtical thinking.. Just wondering. McCain does the same thing.....his is more contemptuous....hers perhaps more snarky and disrespecful....cheerleader competition type.

Anaylsis welcomed,please!

[boogygran]

Your observation is right on! M'cain and his whole pack of thugs have become more sneering and jeering as time has gone on - but then, coming from the party that foisted D'ick Ch'eney on us with his fixed sneer always aimed at middle-class America, I guess it shouldn't be surprising. P'alin's snarkiness seems to be a natural part of her in-your-face-cutesy-wink-wink "gotcha" personality that fits right in with Mcains nastiness - not much coaching needed there.

[Thomei]

John McCain and Sarah Palin both tout "reform" and "change" but neither has offered one difinitive item that would back up their claim. Actually, while listening to Sarah in the debate, I think she offered more democratic talking points than she did republican. Plus she admires Geraldine Ferraro (a democrat). Whose side is she really on?

[redtrojan]

Hold it, I'm a progressive lefty, but I don't think this is fair. Listen to the audience's reaction. They loved it! Jesus Christ, this is lame. No one should be offended.

[lisaintexas]

Gwen wasn't allowed to challenge. That was the format agreed to. It was a very rigid format which the McCain campaign wanted as they most certainly didn't want any unscripted back and forth. You barely knew Gwen was there and that's a good moderator.

[brooklyncitizen]

How can any self-respecting woman VOTE for this mysoginist?

[SDSL]

McCain is completely out of it. He's still living in the 60's when it was okay to mouth that kind of sexist BS.

Of course, the women in that town hall may also be delusional if they swallowed his BS, and if they plan on voting for a ticket that is forthrightly against womens' rights.