Sexist Lessons From the Campaign Trail

It's been a banner time for sexism on the presidential hustings. Just a month ago, we had the John McCain supporter in South Carolina asking her hero, "How do we beat the bitch?" in reference to Senator Hillary Clinton. Senator McCain laughed, showing his good-natured appreciation for comparing women to animals. He might also be amused to know that chicks, foxes, dogs and pigs are in the same lexicon, the one aimed at keeping women down by dehumanizing them.

More recently, we learned that Governor Mike Huckabee subscribes to the Southern Baptist Convention's position that women should "submit graciously" to their husbands. Last week, MSNBC talk show host Tucker Carlson found the utility of this idea worth some elbow-in-the-rib joking. Putting all those manly yucks aside, pundits might have noted that gracious submission is the flip-side of bitch-dom (see McCain above.) For women, there's just no in between, which brings us to Senator Fred Thompson.

When Thompson, along with the other candidates, was asked about his favorite possession, his answer to the Associated Press was his "trophy wife" Jeri. Senator John McCain prized his baseball signed by Ted Williams. For Rudy Guiliani, the answer was his grandfather's pocket watch. But Thompson possessed the notably young and attractive Jeri-prize. If women are turned into objects no one has to worry about them being bitches or submitting with insufficient grace to their husbands -- or, for that matter, becoming president.

Comments

[DasBoot]

I basically agree with the tenor of this post. However, it should be pointed out that the "bitch" question to McCain came from a fellow woman. Hillary hating knows no boundaries of sex.

Could it also be that Thompson was joking, since the press had already talked about his "trophy wife" ad nauseum?

Just saying.

[lanefiller]

Anyone interested in a funny (but it really happened) column about what Huckabee is really like face-to-face should try:
http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/02/title_14

[Qbear]

Sexism is subtly being introduced by a woman columnist here at Huffington Post on a John edwards thread. She made a point of stating Elizabeth appeared in the spin room with "camera-ready make up." I don't recall Bill Clinton's camera ready make up on the campaign trail mentioned.if you think there ain't no Clinique "magic" in his dopp kit you'd be mistaken. The concentration of coverage what Michelle Obama wears, or Thompson's wife plunging necklines, or Kucinch's wife's beauty is as demeaning to them as women with their own opinions, as it is annoying. I realize this is a first situation when we might have the FIRST male spouse (or what ever they are gonna dub Bill) if Hillary wins.

I must admit it tickles me that Bill Clinton may be forced to come up with some stupid COOKIE recipe, in the Good Housekeeping bake off competiton. I'm waiting for a presidential spouse to tell those recipe contests, they KNOW where the bakery is.

[Advocate123]

Everyone knows that Fred Thompson's wife is brilliant. He was making fun of the fact that people in the Media were calling her a trophy wife, when she has been immersed in Republican Politics for years.

On a side note: Find me one woman over 35 who would not enjoy their husbands telling the public that they are a trophy wife as a joke, implying that they are gorgeous.

You libs need to lighten up.

[bbln]

Whether Hillary Clinton wins or not, at the very least, her running as the first viable female Presidential candidate has had a consciousness raising effect on this country - with media personalities checking themselves and more thoroughly scrutinized by their audiences for any signs of sexism or misogyny. As a woman, I've taken Clinton's campaign more personally than I ever expected - the double standards and also the higher standards placed on her by society because she's a woman resonate with me as well. If we had yet another set of men running for 2008, it's likely none of the sexism would've been pointed out nor perhaps acknowledged and felt by the women watching. I hope these are lessons learned that we apply to our futures - because it's clear we still have a long way to go toward equality.

[AMolinaro]

As far as Mr. Thompson's comment, you need to realize that his trophy wife is a great deal smarter and more savvy than he. It was Jeri, in fact, who was the principle architect of old Freddie's presidential campaign. Then GOP strategists had conniptions over a candidate with a strong, smart, capable wife. So now he has to pretend she's just a bimbo.

It's all a part and parcel of the GOP's fear of women.

[darker]

Whatta bunch of bitchy BASTARDS.
Can the Republicans before they
finish off destroying America.

[DontSpin]

I agree that in the three examples you mentioned, all treated women like objects or referred to a woman in an insulting way. But I do want to point out that all these examples happen to come from conservative people, whose records on respecting equality between men and women isn't all that great. I know a whole lot of people who respect Hillary as a candidate and in fact are thrilled that she is doing so well, but they just don't happen to agree with some of her votes or leadership style.