Dick Armey Has Misogynistic History

Salon:

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey has attracted quite a bit of attention around the Internet for his recent attack on Salon Editor-in-Chief Joan Walsh. During Wednesday's episode of "Hardball," Armey told Walsh, "I am so damn glad that you could never be my wife, 'cause I surely wouldn't have to listen to that prattle from you every day." (You can read her response here.)

Now, Armey has never been known for civility and manners. He's famous for referring to fellow Rep. Barney Frank as "Barney Fag," and he made some nasty comments about then-First Lady Hillary Clinton as well. But, as Miriam Rozen reported in the Dallas Observer in 1995, Armey's problems with women go deeper than that. Three excerpts from the article follow; the first one is about his time teaching economics, and one student who almost left school because of his behavior.

Read the whole story: Salon

Comments

[Jaxy]

I was privy to the heated 'Hardball' exchange between Dick and Joan on Wednesday.

"Misogynist" does not even begin to describe how demeaning and obnoxious quality of this man's behavior. He kept suggesting that Ms. Walsh keep quiet (he repeatedly told her to "give it a rest, give it a rest", when she was trying to make a point).

Unfortunately, the approriate description cannot be listed here, as we are in rather young and polite company. "Neanderthal" would be a good start, though ...

[rabiddog6708]

I see your true colors, shining through. I see your true colors.....

[motoGpifupleez]

Sounds like someone has "manhood" issues.

[Ladyrantsalot]

Imagine what the guy says when the camera is NOT rolling. Ugh, like this ugly half-wit could ever have a chance with a smart, attractive woman.

[AdamX]

Let's all focus on this non-story for a while. After all, nothing is more important than what Dick said.

[Jaxy]

Nope, this is not a non-story. This jerk's behavior, on national television no doubt, is endemic of his ilk. How would you like it if some raving as$hat had treated your mother or your sister like that?

[Wilbur]

Armey's first name/nickname is SOOOOO appropriate!

Wilbur

[BeasleysMom]

Misogyny is an illness shared by a number of older conservative white males. The behavior is passed on from generation to to generation and deemed acceptable--almost obligatory byt that group. Wives, such Armey's second wife, are enablers of that behavior. The low level of self-esteem among those women is pitiable. Men such as Armey pray on women who feel they have no worth and are only valid as a slave to a husband who controls their every move. Men have no incentive to cease that kind of objectionable behavior as long as there are no consquences for it.

Armey's behavior is, yet, another example of the outdated thinking of his party that without drastic change will eventually lead to its extinction.

[bogues]

Dick Armey is the real face of the Republican party. They really do believe the only people who should have positions of power in this country are old white Republican men, preferably from the south. I watched the interview where he said those offensive things to Walsh and I was immediately appauled. He was almost shaking, I think he may have hit her if he had had the chance. This man seems to be more of a loose cannon than he ever has been in the past.

[HerbTee]

This a$$clown Armey really lives up to his nickname figuratively.

[unstuffedshirt]

The misogyny is undeniable, but another piece of this is that Armey was quite clearly drunk during that appearance, and has been showing up hammered on TV and radio for years. The guy's apparently a raging alcoholic.

[CaptainStormfield]

http://www.freedomworks.org/contact/

Here is the contact page for Smarmey's website. You can send him an email and tell him what you think.

[BeasleysMom]

Thanks, Captain. It was easy!

[JScott]

Karma?

[NYCMami]

Joan response was scathing and intelligent. She hit it right on when she says that the good ol' white boys network cannot adapt. Much like the dinosuars, they just need to become extinct.

[DJE12857]

JOAN WALSH IS PROBABLY SITING UP IN BED ALL NIGHT WONDERING WHY SHE CAN'T BE MRS.DICK (WHAT AN APT NAME) ARMEY. JUST THINK OF THE LIFE SHE COULD HAVE HAD BEING TOLD HER OPINIONS WHERE UNIMPORTANT AND SHE SHOULD BASICALLY BE STILL AND LET HER MAN SPEAK. INSTEAD ALL SHE CAN BE IS AN INTELLIGENT,ARTICULATE BUSINESS WOMAN WHO DOESN'T HAVE TO RESORT TO "I'M RUBBER YOU'RE GLUE' KINDS OF IMMATURE DEBATES.

[ebanks84]

You got that right. The good ol' white goys network is already extinct. Somebody needs to wake them up and tell them that. The dummies don't seem to be able to "read Joan's lips".

[GJR227]

Armey's parents knew what they were doing when they named him.

[avocats]

Was everyone else on vacation? Why on earth would Matthews scrape the bottom of the barrel when looking for a commentator?

[BeasleysMom]

From listening to Mathew's comment, I think he might agree with Armey to some degree.