was wondering when sexism against women in this election cycle was going to draw some attention. -- I won’t go back to the ‘84 campaign when I, too, was called a “word that rhymes with witch.” -- Since then I have received several rather embarrassed apologies from a very gracious woman who was, understandably, caught up in her husband's campaign. And that is over.
But in 2008 I became a lunatic and ended up loosing a lot of friends in the media when I was extremely vocal about how Hillary was treated by the press and her opponent.
After that campaign was over, numerous reports were issued by academics across the country as well as some women in the media but the change in behavior that I had hoped would be forth coming in this campaign, never materialized. Instead the silence was deafening.
Until a report came out that Meg Whitman was called a “whore” by one of former Governor Jerry Brown's staffers. Brown did what he could. He apologized and fired the staffer sending the strong message that such behavior would not be tolerated by his campaign.
Almost like a one two punch, Joy Behar -- an old friend of mine for over 30 years, an entertainer in some ways caught up in the fun of ratings, kind of like Beck and Rush Limbaugh, and coming off the O'Reilly tiff on her show -- issued a challenge to Sharron Angle to debate the immigration issue on “The View” and referred to her several times as “bitch.”
If you've heard any of Joy's routines you would know that, like most comedians she is an equal opportunity basher. That doesn't excuse her and I will tell her the next time I see her to lay off the sexist comments during campaigns. We all know how much good that will do!
But though Sharron complained about Joy's sexist rant, for some inexplicable reason, she leveled a sexist and low blow (double entendre intended) against Senator Reid, telling him to "man up.” He was too much of a gentleman to respond. That is not a line she would get away with in New York. She can't object to sexist behavior against her and then turn around and act sexist to her opponent.
But it’s not only Democrats against Republicans who sometimes cross the line. Take for instance, Carly Fiorina. Don't tell me she didn't realize that she was being sexist -- as well as a tad ageist -- when she said referring to Barbara Boxer in an off-mic comment: '"God what is with that hair? So yesterday."
read more
GERALDINE FERRARO: Hateful Language Has No Place In Campaigns
