Barbara Boxer: Call Me 'Senator' (VIDEO, POLL)

UPDATE: More fall-out from Sen. Boxer's insistence last week that the military officer she was questioning call her 'senator,' instead of 'ma'am.' Chuck DeVore, a Republican running for Boxer's Senate seat in 2010 called it "the latest liberal-military confrontation." He went on to bring up her participation in Vietnam War protests and ask on his website: "Why do some liberals apparently despise our military?"

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina was also disturbed by the nomenclature request, calling the Senator "a loose cannon" and an embarrassment to her party. From McClatchy's write up of the kerfuffle:

Republican critics in the blogosphere and elsewhere are excoriating Boxer... "I just can't put up with that kind of thing when people think too much of themselves, and we see a lot of that in Washington," DeMint told Fox News Channel.

UPDATE: John McCain poked fun at fellow senator Barbara Boxer on "Hannity" Thursday.

"Thank you for calling me 'Senator' and not 'sir," McCain said to the host, grinning.

* * * * *

Yesterday at an EPW hearing, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) asserted herself. A military officer testifying began to respond to one of her questions by calling her ma'am. But Boxer interrupted: "Do me a favor," she said, "could you say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?' It's just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it, yes, thank you."

Fox News actually reported out this story by calling up an Army spokesman to ask if it was disrespectful for the officer to call Boxer ma'am. Their conclusion: no big deal! What do you think?

Watch it here and scroll down to take our poll.

Quick Poll

Was the officer out of line?

No, Boxer is way too sensitive.

Yes, he's rude, and possibly sexist.

Maybe he meant it as a term of respect, but he's talking to a Senator!

Who cares?

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[Peabodies]

The Honorable Jim DeMint is a sexist? I am shocked, shocked to see full-blown hypocrisy going on in the halls of Congress. For shame, Mr. De Mint.

[neocon666]

And how would the general have addressed a male senator who was questioning him? That's right: "senator".

[ProudlyConservative42]

Negative. As a seasoned soldier, he would have called him Sir.

[dumbosrus]

Which is what you see frequently in hearings on C-SPAN.

Boxer blew a gasket over nothing. And I doubt SERIOUSLY she worked HARD to become a senator. NOBODY WORKS HARD TO BECOME A SENATOR!!!!!!

[cinesimon]

So in a formal setting, seasoned soldiers will not address them by their formal title?

Maybe the last eight years has given some in the military a sense that they are in fact far superior in every way than the representatives of the people.

That certainly seems to be what the right keeps saying.

That and if someone disagrees with the republican party then they hate the troops and love terrorists!

[bokiluis]

And the pathetic rethuglican party is an embarrassment to the entire world.....­.you choose.

[ProudlyConservative42]

Oh, how I love when you use cute little terms like "rethuglic­an." Did you write that?

[Opygollopy]

Thats all they act like - thugs - and petty little children who have lost & cant deal with it.

[CR46]

Shouldn't DeMint be out looking for his state of SC's governor?????

[NickfromCali]

Right state...wr­ong US Senator

[LDnearthesea]

I voted for Senator Boxer each time she's run for office as one of the Senators from California. I'm, behind her 100%. Got a problem with that De Mint? Get stuffed!

[TestingTheWater]

This article is ridiculous. It was not "insistent" it was a simple, inconsequential and polite request, and one she was entitled to make, and offended nobody. We have far more serious issues for our representatives to be working on. This is nothing but petty, immature partisan posturing, the same tactics that got us here and the same tactics that will lead us all the way down the hole if they don't stop.

[ProudlyConservative42]

Far from "polite." Clearly petty and condescending. Grandstanding.

[cinesimon]

By loving that extremist woman hating rant above, you show you wouldn't even know the difference.

[marthainmaine]

Repubs see women as breeders. Uppity senator getting above her place.

[BlueStateMensch]

Barbara Boxer is one of the BEST & most effective Senators in the entire Chamber. Hard working.. her voting record is consistent with her VALUES.. which are focused on the WORKING CLASS, gender equality.. & the tenets of TRUE AMERICANIS­M... our Bill of RIGHTS... & she has CONSISTENTLY voted for what is in the BEST interests of our MEN & WOMEN in UNIFORM (more than can be said of the REPUBLICANS).

If this CRAP is all the republican party can focus on...... phony "outrage".­.. not even ENOUGH to do the "job" it is SUPPOSED to be doing, which is OBSCURING the fact that their MORAL foundation no longer exists....­. then it is MORE than inevitable that they will CEASE to exist within the next few election cycles.

Not soon ENOUGH!

Soon... their PARTY won't exist. Good riddance.

[DavidInHartford]

BlueStateMensch I'm a Fan of BlueStateMensch I'm a fan of this user permalink
photo

Barbara Boxer is one of the BEST & most effective Senators in the entire Chamber.
+++++==

I remember my first drinking binge,
just stay indoors and you should be ok
and remember, eat first.

[BlueStateMensch]

Do you have a COGENT rebuttal..­. or are you here merely to cement your reputation as a shallow, vapid PEST?

[Fretchen]

This is much to do about nothing - caused by folks who have no idea how the military works. "Maam" and "Sir" are terms used to show respect to civilians. Even the President is addressed as "Sir." There is NO "Mr. President.­"

[BlueStateMensch]

You keep repeatiing that even though you have been SCHOOLED to the REAL facts.

WHY?

[Fretchen]

I did not realize my original thoughts had been posted. I am sorry for the duplication.

[45Caliber]

I am trying to figure out where people are getting there facts. Last I heard. Proper protocol in addressing the President, Vice President Senator and or Civilian, whether it be male or female is to say "Sir" or Ma'am"..

.45Caliber

[cinesimon]

Could you point us in the direction of where we may find that protocol written?

I hear both used.

But more often than not, and certainly in a formal hearing, I hear folk being called by their formal name. It's different in a casual setting.

Regardless, Boxer never suggested she was being disrespected.
She simply asked to be called by her title.

[cinesimon]

Boxer never suggested she was being disrespected tough.
She simply asked to be called by her title.

[henrypapillon]

Unlike Mr. Mint, who makes everyone proud of their goofy state.

[BlueStateMensch]

"whosyourdaddy" has NEVER made even an ATTEMPT at a COGENT assertion.­. nor has he had the testicular fortitude to answer a SIMPLE QUESTION.

Where & WHEN did YOU SERVE?

[rich misty]

7 years in Parchman

[BlueStateMensch]

"Ten years at Leavenworth & eleven years at Woolworth" -- Groucho Marx

[BlueStateMensch]

"Ten years at L.eavenwor­th & eleven years at W.oolworth­" -- Groucho M.arx

[BlueStateMensch]

"Ten years at .L.eavenwo­rth & eleven years at W.oolworth­" -- G.roucho M.arx

[BlueStateMensch]

"T.e.n y.e.a.r.s a.t L.e.a.v.e.­n.w.o.r.t.­h & e.l.e.v.e.­n y.e.a.r..s a.t W.o.o.l.w.­o.r.t.h" -- G.r.o.u.c.­h.o M.a.r.x

[DavidInHartford]

The topic of THIS thread is Boxer, Mel - not your paranoid delusions.

How badly did that priest abuse you anyway??

Get help, seriously, Mel
http://www.methhelpline.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection
http://mcleanhospital.org/

[whosyourdaddy]

I've answered that question repeatedly. Write it down.

I've served in Korea, Germany, Turkey, Grenada, Panama, Africa, Italy, Iraq , Kuwait. Many instillations in the US. I served from 1975 to 2005. Anything else sparky?

[daedelus]

You sound to me like a well-travelled desk-jockey, sport.

[FirstForty]

Yes, I just moved to SC and he was one of my biggest misgivings about moving into the state. HE is the embarassment.

[Chaimirija]

Straws, grasping at.

[xargaw]

When you address a Senator, you say Senator. When you address a judge, you say Your Honor. When you address Obama, you say Mr. President. The officer was wrong. The correction was not rude. Boxer was polite and asked to be called Senaor. She has earned the title and the right. The officer will problably not make this error again.

[Fretchen]

Military rules are a bit different. You address non-military as "sir" or maam." Even the President is addressed as "sir." President Obama is NOT addressed as Mr. Prtesident, but as "sir." The General was totally correct within military protocol.

[BlueStateMensch]

ONCE AGAIN.... the Military refers to the PRESIDENT as "sir" because the the President is COMMANDER in CHIEF of the ARMED FORCES.

Protocol in the Senate Chamber (ESPECIALLY while UNDER OATH) is to address ANY Senator as "SENATOR".

The General AGREED with this I has ZERO problems with SENATOR Boxer.

Why on EARTH do YOU?

[rich misty]

This has been repeated without documentation. When documentation has been requested all we hear is.... {crickets}