It's bad enough to be a presidential candidate during primary season.  It's really bad when you spent a bundle to come in third in the Iowa caucuses and when, on the eve of New Hampshire, the polls show you 10 points behind.

But it's got to downright be ridiculous to be on a campaign stop and have two complete idiots stand up and shout "Iron my shirt" to a female candidate for President.  What were these guys thinking?  Were they serious?  Was it a (bad) joke?  Either way, they get my vote for idiots of the day.

Unfortunately, they'll have to share that honor with the folks at the AFP.  Why you ask?

Because they're making a torrent out of a cracking voice and glistening eyes.  Because they're suggesting that Hillary's response to the campaign trail question, "How are you doing?" revealed her to be on the verge of cracking up.  Think I'm exaggerating?  Here's an exact quote:

"An exhausted Hillary Clinton fought back tears and her voice broke with emotion Monday, as the strain of her damaged White House bid welled up and cracked her steely public face."  The headline to that particular lede was "Tears of a Candidate: Clinton's Emotions Flow."

Now look at the video here.

Now join me in asking the AFP to iron my shirt.

By the way, the AP story (Associated Press.  AFP is a the Canadian version of the Associate Press it appears) was only marginally better in its reporting.  Both articles greatly exaggerated Clinton's very warm, very human moment--spinning it into an emotional meltdown.  If people just read the articles, they'll assume she's just "another emotional female." 

It's not like I'm an ardent Hillary supporter...I'm on record as favoring (the fading) John Edwards.  But c'mon!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the 21st Century?

 


Comments

Erik

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:33:44

It's utter foolishness, and very much in keeping with the thinking of all those Spike TV viewers out there. Crying = weakness = being a female. Never mind that it's precisely because men are forbidden to cry that they're so often so badly crippled from feelings of ANY kind - no, no, it's much better to have a leader be without emotions, or able to bury their feelings, than someone who actually has access to them. Because access = out of control. Doesn't everyone know that?

I don't know that we know yet what Hillary's chances are. I think we do know that we have a ways to go to reach the day that, regardless of someone's gender, we don't care whether they laugh, cry or just demonstrate their very human feelings.

And I'll iron my own shirt, thank you. If you can't iron your own damn shirts buy something polyester - you'll look more at home in it anyway.

 

Hal

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:58:06

If you read the LA times business section today you'd think our economy is in a total recession, and about to fall quickly into a depression. Well, neither is true. Hillary will come on very strong very soon in the primary's that really matter. At least that's my opinion and I'm not a supporter of her.

Also, I send my nice shirts out for laundry and pressing. But that was not always so and I probably still can iron my own shirt. However, I don't think I own an iron.

 

Laura

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:20:13

Erik,

I thought one of the most interesting things in the AFP article was the reference to another person crying (was it Muskie) who allegedly cried on the campaign trail over the abuse his wife was taking and LOST as a result. I think I have to amend my presidential requirements list!

 

Laura

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:21:38

Hey Hal!

I have an iron...and I wield it every once in awhile just like I do an electric drill, a manual saw, and the occasional shovel or wrench. <gg>

Good point about media hype. I do get tired of the spin.

 

Kenneth R. Morefield

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:27:41

Laura, I think you're reading this all wrong. I don't think its about misogyny so much as entitlement inflation. You know, those snotty Iowa and New Hampshire voters are so used to being pandered to, it's no longer enough for candidates to meet with them and shake their hand...they want a president who will exercise true SERVANT leadership.

If Dennis Kucinch wants to clean out my cat's litter box or Ron Paul wants to check the wheel bearings on my Subaru, I'll be glad to reassess their status as fringe candidates!

Of course, she could have just said, "No, but I'll be glad to iron John Edwards's shirt for $400 and throw in a free hair cut."

 

Laura

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:52:29

Whearas we California and NC voters get no pandering whatsoever! Well, at least no personal pandering.

<gg>

 

Kenneth R. Morefield

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:25:46

Laura:

Leave it to Jon Stewart to put it all in perspective:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/09/thats-it-jon-stewart-_n_80749.html

 



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