Some People Are Still Complaining About Hillary Clinton’s Voice

[AgadorSparticus]

After Hillary Clinton accepted the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night, like clockwork, political reporters and pundits ― mostly men ― began commenting on the sound of Clinton’s voice, which they have done time and time again.

Fox News’ Brit Hume took issue with her “not-so-attractive voice.”

“She tends to accelerate her delivery and speak louder and sterner,” Hume said. “She has a great asset as a public person, which is a radiant smile, but she has a not so attractive voice, and I think for much of her speech tonight, she lapsed into that familiar lecturing tone. And I suspect that there were some people that, even who agreed with her words, found the tone off-putting.”

Steve Clemons, editor-at-large for The Atlantic, also mentioned Clinton’s “lecturing” and advised her to “smile.”

On PBS and NPR, female commentators noted the historical importance and emotional resonance of Clinton’s speech. Their male counterparts focused on Clinton’s voice.

“I don’t know why she can’t project more humanity,” New York Times columnist David Brooks said on the broadcast. “She projects one emotional tone throughout, and it has a combative manner to it, and not a happy warrior manner.”

And on Twitter, many political commentators complained about Clinton’s “annoying” voice and suggested she calm down.

Apparently, making history as the first female presidential nominee of a major political party doesn’t stop sexist attacks.

Sadly, this is nothing new. Clinton received similar criticism in previous speeches and political debates, mostly from men. They claim their critiques aren’t sexist. But male candidates, like Clinton’s primary opponent Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, rarely receive equivalent scrutiny.

Attacks on the sound of a woman’s voice often mirror negative perceptions of women as too “aggressive” and “dominant.” Meanwhile, when it comes to men, those same qualities and traits are cast as positive attributes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/complaining-hillary-clintons-voice_us_579add5de4b0693164c0b55c

[C_U_L8R]

1. It's sweet music

Compared to Donnie Trump's incessant whining

[AgadorSparticus]

14. Trump's voice drives me nuts....along with the shit that spills out of his mouth.

It just boggles me that the media pundits don't ever talk about Trump's talking style. Like how he annoyingly puckers up his mouth when he talks. ugh.

[onecent]

51. Yes AgadorSparticus.....YOU HAVE IT EXACTLY RIGHT!!!! i HATE THE WAY HE PUCKERS UP AND TRIES TO

LOOK IMPORTANT.

[Orsino]

17. I'm learning to love if for its own sake.

Yeah, the sing-songy thing she does is a little annoying to me, personally, but considering who she most annoys, I'll take it. Fuck 'em, Madame Secretary. Fuck 'em all.

[oberliner]

2. Public speaking is not her forte

Especially compared to our current president, who is quite masterful in that regard.

[emulatorloo]

4. Yes, Obama has a rare gift. An impossible standard to most anyone to meet.

[marybourg]

44. That didn't stop them for criticizing him

for not wearing a flag lapel pin, his greying hair, his middle name, showing respect to foreign leaders, a fist bump, etc., etc..

While Trump's multitudinous and yuuuge faults are not mentioned. Can you imagine if Hillary had 3 marriages, 2 divorces, a "premature" baby, and talked about men the way he talks about women? They don't like her voice? Who gives a s--t?

[frazzled]

63. But it's a thousand times better than Donald Trump's

Hello? We're talking about voice quality here, not their speechmaking ability. How does iHillary Clinton's voice compare to Donald Trump's high-pitched screams and taunts (or even to Bernie Sanders's gravelly, breathless rants)?

I've never seen a male candidate's speaking voice criticized (even though I used to find John Edward's oily Southern drawl like erasers on a blackboard to me).

Enough of this mindless carping about her voice. It's a double-standard beyond dignifying.

[emulatorloo]

3. Not everyone can speak like Barack Obama. Trump is a terrible speaker.

IMHO Clinton is getting better and better and I think these idiots can't admit that because it threatens their ridiculous narrative.

[AgadorSparticus]

7. I posted this b/c Trump has a terrible voice and is a god awful speaker. But we never hear

pundits saying anything about him. He can't even make a complete sentence. Hell, he can't even follow through with a thought. And yet, they focus on Hillary. It is sexism at its worst.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

52. I totally agree...

If they were fair then we'd be hearing lots of criticism of Trump's speaking. He certainly is far worse at it than Hillary.

[msongs]

5. her speech the other night was her best in terms of speaking IMO. she is learning. I really liked

the softly spoken parts, something most politicians do not do much nt

[AgadorSparticus]

8. I thought it was the best speech I have ever heard from her too.

[Bill USA]

27. She really came across as a strong person, determined and ..presidential.

[NastyRiffraff]

6. Did these people (men of course) see the same speech I did?

I thought it was a powerful, thoughtful, at times emotional speech. One of her best. I know she's not the best public speaker in the world, but she's miles better than Trump. Where were these guys when Trump was bloviating speaking?

[AgadorSparticus]

10. Exactly! These media folks need to be brought to task on this matter. Enough with the sexism.

[Koinos]

28. Some men are bothered by women's voices.

That's their problem, not Hillary's.

I'm a guy, and I listen to what she has to say. And I like what I hear.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

54. I think they are probably bothered by women in general...

not just their voices. They don't like the sound of the voice because they know it comes from a woman. Probably the only female voices they like are the the put on female phone sex voices.

[Koinos]

55. I agree. They think that women should be seen and not heard.

Sometimes I wonder why so many white males turn out to be aggressive morons. It is due in part to acculturation perhaps.

I say that as a white male who has tried to do and be better.

[bettyellen]

58. Too often the alpha types act this way- and act like they assume

Everyone agrees with them. It's often shocking for them when someone disagrees with them. That was me last night, lol.

[NastyRiffraff]

59. Thank you!

It's always good to hear from good, thoughtful men. The blatant sexism we're seeing about a history-making woman is depressing, but guys like you lift our spirits!

[DemonGoddess]

62. +1000!

[LAS14]

9. Shields and Brooks have been making...

... me furious with their blind sexism. I'd love to hear an analysis of Bernie's tone of voice, his ability to modulate, etc., etc.

[yardwork]

11. This is a very common accusation against professional women.

Some people are still uncomfortable with women in professional or powerful positions. To these folks, women are supposed to have honey sweet, soft low voices used only to comfort children or agree with males.

Shrug.

[LiberalFighter]

12. I didn't see a problem with how she spoke.

I've noticed that public male figures have talked in loud voices and not smile. Including the same media figures.

[Equinox Moon]

13. shallow commentary to mention her speaking voice

Hey I know... how about talking about the issues so important to people in this country?
Well, I guess that would be news reporting with substance.

Thankfully, we have the Internet and can inform ourselves!

[DawgHouse]

15. There is nothing wrong with the sound of her voice.

It's just another prime example of a very sexist society.

[LAS14]

16. Different tones.

First off - Pundits have no business focusing on her tone of voice at this sort of historic moment.

But at a different time, when we're discussing this stuff.

She may not have the ability to modulate her tone at a rally, but she has a repertoire of kinds of deliveries. Listen to her at the AME church shortly after one of the mass shootings (

), quiet and genuine and passionate, and her speech about national security where she first attacked Trump. (sorry - no link, but you probably remember it). So she's not outstanding in a rally situation. So F what!!!

[AgadorSparticus]

18. yep. It is just blatant sexism. It was shameful that the pundits talked about dumb shit like her

voice. It says much about them as pundits. But I would like to see them answer to the sexism.

[DemonGoddess]

19. They can sit back

enjoy listening to this phenomenal brainy woman speak, and STFU about her voice.

[Lefthacker]

20. Insecure men

Hilary's voice is fine. Her speech skills are improving. The real problem is a lot of these so called experts are insecure men that are threatened by a intelligent, successful and powerful women. They can't take it. It drives them crazy how successful Hillary is.

[liberal N proud]

21. Pathetically grasping for reasons to not like her.

[Throd]

22. Her voice isn't the most attractive.

Neither is Trump's.

[AgadorSparticus]

30. and yet, you only hear critiques about her voice. just sexist as hell.

[Throd]

31. No it isn't.

Not everyone is gifted with a good voice, just as not everyone is blessed with good looks or intelligence. That's just reality.

[AgadorSparticus]

32. If what you say is true, that they both have unappealing voices, then why didn't the pundits talk

about Trump's voice? It's always women's voices that you hear bullshit critiques. That is sexist.

[Throd]

33. Because the stupid shit he says ecclipses pretty much everything else.

And he's not exactly getting a pass on his ridiculous hair and weird orange pallor.

[AgadorSparticus]

35. But, if you notice, the pundits on TV aren't the ones picking on his hair and orangeness.

It is everyone else on the internet or social media. If they are, I must have missed it. The pundits on TV barely say anything about his absurdities. For the most part, they give him a pass for outlandish things. But that is a different discussion.

Here's another one:

Fox Host Critiques Elizabeth Warren's Voice As "Grating"
http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/06/28/fox-host-critiques-elizabeth-warrens-voice-grating/211238

[spooky3]

39. Excellent point.

[spooky3]

38. And if she were orange with bizarre hair

She would get at least as much flak as Trump does.

The point is to make an apples-to-apples comparison, in this case about voices. Many male candidates have imperfect voices, but the only one I EVER recall being criticized about it was Howard Dean, for the yell over the crowd noise, which is a little different (but also a stupid knock). So 100% of female Dem candidates get the criticism from male (mostly RW) pundits, but only a tiny percentage of men do. That's a problem.

[AgadorSparticus]

40. Absolutely. Totally agree. And I thought that was stupid to go after Dean for that too.

[mucifer]

23. I felt the same way about sarah palin. I hate her positions . But,

it really bothered me that people on the left made fun of her voice. So much real stuff to go after her on. Why bother with her voice? So childish.

[Thrill]

25. Lol I heard that clown Brett Hume say he felt like he was

Being lectured.

[AgadorSparticus]

26. HOW was he being lectured??!?!!! He is such an asshat.

[Thrill]

47. Yeah he claimed the tone

Was lecturing the country

[riversedge]

29. Trump tweeted out a nasty about Hillary's voice also.

[spooky3]

34. Where is Jimmy Kimmel when you need him?

https://m.

[AgadorSparticus]

36. that is so spot on, it hurts! Thanks for the video post, spooky.

[spooky3]

37. You're welcome. I agree!

[Rex]

64. I love how she can take a joke. Shows you some deep character. Trump?

Not a chance, his idea of humor is a magnifying glass and an ant bed.

[Ilsa]

41. If her voice softened, they'd claim it proved that she's weak.

The republicans need to be more concerned about Trump's delivery and especially content. But let's hope the leadership and handlers are deaf to him.

[Ilsa]

42. Well, Benedict Donald's tiny hand gestures annoy me.

And the same for the pointing and smirking. He displays his arrogance and ignorance every time he takes a stage.

[DLCWIdem]

43. what do you expect from Brooks a knuckle dragging repug neanderthal

[ZX86]

45. Hilliary's voice is certainly no symphony.

But it is also irrelevant. My understanding is that Lincoln's voice was high pitched and shrill.

[backscatter712]

46. Trump spent most of his speech at the RNC bellowing at the top of his lungs.

Seriously, if you can stomach it, watch it, especially close to the end.

[BlueMTexpat]

48. Jealousy and

misogyny.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

49. She acts like she almost never has a working microphone

And yes, Bernie did it too.

A very smart man once said if you lower your voice, you force people to listen more closely. They'll lean in towards the TV if they have to.

Her husband was a master at this, mainly because if he ever yelled, his voice would be gone for three days.

She's much better speaking when sitting at a conference table. More relaxed.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

50. These guys are making up shit to because they don't have much to criticize her for.

Annoying that the commentators act like they are just articulating the thoughts of regular, every day Americans. I think most people don't think this stuff until the commentators bring it up.

I thought her voice was great and she did an awesome job speaking. I am a woman, though, so maybe my opinion on this doesn't count? I suppose I talk like an aggressive, dominant bitch all the time, so Hillary just sound normal to me.

[rjsquirrel]

53. What's really annoying

is the people who don't get why it's misogynist. They don't grasp that a man is almost never criticized for his voice (or clothes or hair or posture). Donald Trump shouts and hectors but no one mentions it -- hell, he shouted his entire convention speech and people called it angry or strong, not "braying" or "unmodulated."

This happens on DU all the time too. Some "just sayin'" male commentator starts off with "imma vote for for her but I still wish she had a different voice." And then when called on the misogyny they get defensive and insist they are just trying to be helpful.

She's made it to be the first woman nominee of a major party with her own voice. It's music to my ears that she speaks forcefully and strongly.

As with everything else about this election season and our own primaries, the misogynistic subtext is obvious to many of us even when it's coming from our own side. Heck, I do not believe a male candidate who won by hundreds of delegates and millions of votes would ever have faced the raucous shouting down and misbehavior of his defeated opponent's most vehement supporters the way she did in Philly. That disrespect was because she dared to win as a woman.


And now she's up against an opponent who makes misogyny his goddamn brand. Get woke people. They hate her BECAUSE SHE IS A STRONG WOMAN.

[AgadorSparticus]

56. Well said! I could not agree more. I find it interesting that people

Don't see the sexism in their statements. It shows just how deeply rooted it is in our society. I hope it becomes a subject that is front and center and I hope we continue talking about it.

I read somewhere that this African American campaign official (maybe it was Bernie's staffer?) that she deals more with the sexism than she does being black. I found that interesting. We just need to bring more awareness to these social issues.

[rjsquirrel]

57. Privilege is powerful

Nicely said too.

[jcgoldie]

61. right

The "voice" critiques are just the most subtle way of saying it bothers me that she's a woman who doesn't know her role.

[hamsterjill]

60. Oh good grief.

Let's call shallow shallow. It's absurd that this kind of shit is discussed on the airwaves.

What next? Her pants were too tight? Too baggy? She has a little gray hair?

She fucking made history!!!!!!! And no pundit would be saying stuff like that about a man.