Careful, Joe! "Smart Woman" Jokes a Dicey Game

To begin with, let me say that Joe Biden was not my first choice for the number-two spot on the Democrats' ticket. First, he's not a woman. Second, he didn't do the job when it was his turn to grill the two most dangerous Supreme Court nominees (now justices) in recent times: Samuel Alito and John Roberts. Third, he's prone to making gaffes.

That said, Biden did a reasonably good job today in Springfield, Illinois, showing what he brings to the Obama campaign -- until he got the end. Speaking of his wife, Jill, he described her as drop-dead gorgeous. Nothing wrong with that. Who wouldn't want to be described as such by his or her partner? Then he said, that she "has her doctorate degree, and that's a problem."

It was obviously a failed attempt at humor. Or perhaps I'm just a humorless feminist. Either way, one can only hope this isn't a harbinger of gaffes to come.

The best part? Without a doubt, the sight of Michelle Obama and Jill Biden embracing, hand-holding and seeming to genuinely enjoy each other's company. How often do we get to see a black woman and a white woman like that? Black and white women have waded through a torrent of troubled waters in America. We've never quite recovered from the sexual politics of the plantation. Looking at the contenders for First and Second Lady, I caught a glimmer of redemption.

Follow Adele Stan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/addiestan

Comments

[MariaHopeful]

Seriously, you need to get a grip. Pretty soon we will all be afraid to open our mouths. We have enough problems without us willfully trying to manufacture more. The man loves his wife and he was paying her a compliment at his expense. I do agree with you that the picture of all four of them hugging was pretty moving, pretty powerful. As a black woman the symbolism was not lost on me. It brought tears to my eyes.

[damien05]

That’s it! We’ve finally reached the tipping point. I’ve read about two dozen comments so far and the tortuous lengths we’ve gone to in trying to explain this “gaffe” has to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. How anyone, even a self proclaimed feminist, could reach out to a foreign galaxy and somehow find something offensive in Joe’s comment just has to be the point at which normal humans say, “no more!”
How many words are there in the English language anyway? Whatever the number, it seems about half of them are now considered demeaning, racist, sexist, over-the top, beyond the pale, hidden meaning, thinly disguised, subtle innuendo, and my personal favorite….­a dog whistle.
I think the answer is for our schools to teach sign language, instead of English. As a little league manager, I’m constantly shouting out encouraging things to my players. The other day as one of my guys was coming up to bat, I yelled out, “C’mon boy, show’em what you’re made of.” Well, you guessed it, the kid was from a minority class and one of the parents yelled out to me, “watch your mouth coach, you should know better.”
Yech!

[cylindar]

Maybe Obama will keep Biden so busy that he won't have the time to make verbal stupidities. At least I hope so. Biden is fair as far as a choice but of course not the best. But mediocre works out ok for the VP spot, as they will blend in with the wallpaper. I think Biden would make a good lamp fixture.

[strick9]

Get serious, Most women are smarter than us. They only let us think things are our idea. If moma aint happy, nobody's happy. Like the man says, I always get the last word in every arguement. Yes dear!

[95flhtcu]

"perhaps I'm just a humorless feminist". Perhaps.

[rationalthought1]

Ladies, we need to lighten up a bit. I didn't take any offense - just like I'm not willing to throw all of our futures away, and my rights as a woman, to give the White House back to the Republicans because Hillary lost. It was tough, but I don't like being manipulated by the Republicans, who don't give a damn about our freedom. I can't believe how self-centered some of us can be.

[astheworldturns]

Wonderful comment. Absolutely right.

[vegangoddess]

I'm a black, female and watched the replay and rewound the "PhD" comment a couple of times trying to find the offense. Didn't find it. He immediately said all kidding aside and I didn't flinch. Nor did I flinch when Mc said 5 million was rich and said it was a joke. Where is our sense of humor....g­eez. This is a serious election for sure but we need to interject some laughs in here or we'll all just cry.

I also didn't take offense to his "articulate and clean" remark. Obama IS articulate (Bush is NOT) AND he IS clean. He didn't mean clean as opposed to 'dirty" hygiene-wise but Senator O doesn't have a shady past like many pols and that's to be commended in this age of "dirty" politics!

Obama / Biden -'08-'16

[astheworldturns]

McCain's problem is that he couldn't/wouldn't say what was rich. He wanted to avoid specifics and just have take his word that he is giving everyone a fair shake. But he is not giving every a fair shake, his tax plan is tilted to the top 1 percent of the country. Check out factcheck.org on his plan and how he distorts Obama's plan.

[in4success]

::sigh:: of relief.

[DrFitz]

I always interpreted the clean comment that way. Given that his first focus in the Senate was ethics reform, it also made total sense that Biden would see it that way too. Not to mention that being in your first term when there's recently been so many ethics scandals automatically becomes a plus, in the sense of seeming not to have the same taint on you.

[strohdog]

It's a minor miracle that we've ever won an election.

Biden's comments about his wife, BOTH of them, were loving and very funny. Many here may not want to hear this, but comments like that connect with people.

Biden loves his wife, his mother, his family, and the causes we believe in. We need this guy! We need everything about him.

So many moderates are eager to join us this year. Please let them. I really don't want McCain and Romney monitoring my wife's doctor visits.

[BluePatriotWoman]

Here, here!

[mikekev58]

Oh, Lord...and he's "prone to making gaffes"...­.right out of the MSM narrative. If we didn't live in such a politically correct culture, nothing Biden has ever said would raise an eyebrow, let alone get people's eyes rolling.

Let Joe be Joe...at least we'll have one authentic human being on the ticket!

[vegangoddess]

whoa there, you don't think Barack is authentic? please clarify.

[rparks1493]

I have yet to see any criticism of McCains Bullchips comments. The where he wanted to enter Cindy in the topless pageant. Adele Stan did you do a post on that comment? That was degrading to a woman of Cindy's calliber but no comments were made from Cindy, Michelle, PUMA or Hillary. I was offended for Cindy.

[Jackson Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

I couldn't agree more with Adele about Joe's remark. Sure he meant it as a joke, that his wife is smarter than he is. But it's an old-fashioned and very unenlightened joke.

In the late 19th century, most institutions of higher learning didn't allow women, and many wealthy families didn't even want their daughters attending college. That's why "finishing schools" for "young ladies" became the rage. As more and more colleges and universities shed the "male-only" culture, enlightenment came, but damn slowly. By the 1950's, the joke was basically, "Oh great, now we're gonna have to put up with her being smart, too?"

"She has her doctorate degree, and that's a problem" is rooted in sexism, regardless of the fact Joe no doubt meant it as self-deprecating.

We can surely acknowledge the historic sexism at the root of Joe's joke, even as we acknowledge that he didn't mean to suggest that it's a bad thing his wife is an educated and successful woman.

Calling him on it - in 2008 - is certainly within bounds, and Adele's characterization of it as a "failed attempt at humor" is correct.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

That was a nice history lesson, one we understand, you and Adele need to lighten up.

[nolabels]

I absolutely agree.
The self-deprecating comment was correct and key. He was trying to inject some modesty. Sheesh...
The fact that it wasn't funny is another issue but let's not put the weight of man's sexism on Joe shoulders just because of this comment.

[terragazelle60]

I also think that some folks need to lighten up. Joe calling his wife drop dead gorgeous, then teasing about her being smart was a way for him to introduce his wife. And I think sweet. I am 60 years old and have been a feminist all of my life. I think that feminism has gained a bad name just because of this kind of nit picking, humorless attitude. We started out fighting for equal rights then lately it's been special rights. In my grandmothers time it was to get the vote, we still do not have pay equity.

Now Adele, if you want to fight over something, why not that. Ledbetter will be speaking at the convention­...lets get off of Joe, he has done as much for women then anyone has. We never got the ERA passed and now it's pay. Which McCain voted against. Joe got the bill passed on Violence Against Women. ..he was also in charge of the Judicuary Committee when Bork came up...a man that would have taken equal rights for women back pre 1800's. Joe protected us and everyone else. Joe Biden is one of the good guys...If you are going to attack anyone, as a feminist, make it McCain...p­utting his wife up for a bikers beauty paegent and calling her a filthy name should have had NOW in the streets. We tend to eat our own.

[RebaG]

Well, call me old-fashioned and unenlightened. But, as another woman with a PhD, I have to say that if this is all they've got to beat Joe Biden with, the next two months should be a cakewalk. Or, as Barack said not too long ago, "is that the BEST you've got?"

[VideoHammer]

Adele's comments and your response show exactly how Democrats/Liberals have intellectualized ourselves out of the White House, over and over again. Sometimes S*@# is just a joke.

[notamarin]

""She has her doctorate degree, and that's a problem" is rooted in sexism"

You are confusing correlation and causation and should be a little embarrassed. You can't possibly know the roots of Biden's joke.

The worst part of these self-important and baseless accusations of sexism is that you and Adele truly demean REAL sexism and misogyny.

Seriously, you should both stop for a moment and think about your contributi­ons... because the backlash against false accusations does more to prolong sexism than anything. Is that what you want? Because I guarantee you that you are not helping, only making it worse. Is that worth a byline?

[SethBLiNK]

I'm trying to think of what could possibly be inferred from that remark that might indicate any problem with this guy. There are any number of ways to interpret what he said and all of them are light-hearted and humorous. And you not only mention it, but make it the headline of your posting.

He's the VP nominee. Hillary isn't. Get over it.

[piquet]

Woah...tou­gh crowd. If this is how thin the line is for "female psyche" then he will have problems.

Look, Joe is a "neighborhood guy". The type of guy that comes in loud and cheesy. If you're "uptight" he will definitely offend. Just relax and fall into his vegas lounge. His "humor" is too large to be dangerous. You can see it coming from a mile away...

[THEhillbilly]

Lots of "me too" commenters defending Biden's silly, innocuous remark...n­ow, just try to image what these same people would be chanting if McCain had said it.

[MPeter]

Joe is at his best when he is spontaneous and unrestrained. The guy is 65 years old, 35 years in public office. Give him a frigging break. Bidden would be a better VP than the idiots we have had in the past---Cheney, Quayle, Bush1 and the rest of them. Cut the man some slack.

[DrFitz]

The PhD comment made me cringe just a little myself, but the harmless, affable tone of voice took mostly took away any immediate "rolls eyes" reaction on my part. He obviously adores the woman and just sort of ran on like a big puppy dog in the moment. I agree he needs a little advice from Patti Solice-Doyle about how to deliver his praise about how brilliant he thinks Jill is so as not to show his age. You could visibly see that he immediately realized he'd blurted out something that might border on one of his famous gaffes. I think he'll be fine. I feel certain he's never told a joke anything like McCain's gorilla rape dousy.

[Boadicea]

I think Joe skips lines in his jokes.

He was in my view joking that sometimes he loses arguments at home because his wife is smarter than he is. But he assumes that everyone is with him all the way there, when we aren't always following his thinking.

I find his gaffes loveable, frankly.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

I thought it was self deprecating humor meaning that she was smarter than him. Husbands grudgingly acknowledge that it becomes obvious over time that mother wit puts our knowledge to the test and too often we don't make the grade. At least as a feminist you didn't rant about it not being Hillary, for that I thank you.

Until Obama, as a civil rights activist, I had to choose perennially from candidates who didn't have my interests at heart first. I have three daughters who I want to succeed in anything they choose to tackle and know of the misogynistic history of this country. It's just untimely that the two firsts we faced had to have only one victor.