Can you imagine Barack Obama talking this way about Al Gore?

[DemGa]

Or John Kerry? Or any other male?

Barack Obama: “I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal,”

No, this is a man TALKING DOWN to a woman. I call that sexism. I'm very dismayed that women would support such things.

Ed. Typo

[JuniperLea]

1. If it were two men bantering crap about...

No one would say a damn thing.

[Labors of Hercules]

50. Yep. I have seen sexism and this line is just not sexist at all. nt.

[roguevalley]

76. I agree. If he had said she was a fat assed whiny woman, then

maybe I could see it. I thought the remark was mild.

[iconocrastic]

82. He used the word "her" so it's sexist. He should have said "him".

[roguevalley]

104. he was talking to a her not a him

[iconocrastic]

105. No shit

[trueblue2007]

87. Obama is a sexist pig

[Bluerthanblue]

95. you have clearly never encountered one if you can make this stupid remark.

:shrug:

peace~

[NYCGirl]

2. I can certainly imagine him talking that way about John McCain. NT

[Bluebear]

7. No, 'periodically when she’s feeling down' does sound particularly sexist, in all fairness

He is implying she is emotional, moody and it's in a dismissive tone.

[NYCGirl]

18. McCain has a reputation for being emotional, moody, and having a mean streak.

So it'd be apt.

[Bluebear]

29. Well you are correct there!

When I think he could have his finger on the nuclear button. :scared:

[Mooney]

90. McCain would use his whole hand

and smash the button repeatedly, like he was a contestant on Family Feud.

[ginnyinWI]

69. yes I could too--or George Bush. n/t

[ingac70]

3. He would talk that way...

to any sore loser making desperate attacks on him.

[saracat]

4. This is absolutly a sexist remark.Barack would never speak that away about a male.

And sadly , sexism is sooo ingrained many on DU won't even see anything wrong with this remark! Wait for the posts defending this and saying "It isn't sexist if it is true" and other claptrap.

[jgraz]

12. Pray tell, how would he talk to a male?

And then maybe you can explain if Bill Clinton would have compared a white man to Jesse Jackson.

[MrsT]

24. How much phonebanking have you done for Sen Clinton today?

Are you working to continue Proud2beAmurkin's legacy here? Stop to the faux outrage and go DO SOMETHING TO GET SEN CLINTON ELECTED! PLEASE!

And by the way, this isn't sexist.

[beachmom]

41. This person is an Edwards supporter. nt

[MrsT]

45. This person is a rabid Obama hater

So if she/he doesn't like Obama, he/she should be working for Sen. Clinton. It is going to be one or the other that gets the nomination.

[saracat]

49. I actually "have " been working for Clinton.And yes. I distrust and do not like Barack.

And anti-sexism is part of the reason I support her.What is your problem with that? I still believe Edwards would have been our best choice but he is not in the race. And I don't like Obama.

[beachmom]

75. You "distrust" Obama and not Hillary? Ah, to check your history on DU.

Talk about putting everything you said in the past on its head. What did Obama actually DO to earn your distrust, as opposed to what WE KNOW HILLARY DID TO KERRY? Ugh, I guess I will not understand your current stance, Saracrat.

[saracat]

78. I have never said Hillary was perfect.Nor was she my first choice.I did my research on Obama.

and I do pander to corruption and there are other areas that cannot be mentioned. As for what Clinton did to Kerry that was wrong but hey I didn't like what happened to Edwards either.I do at least trust Clinton to ensure women's rights and gender rights.I do not trust Obama to do the same.JMHO.

[Benhurst]

26. You may be right. On the other hand, while he is quite proficient

reading prepared speeches, he's often very awkward when speaking extemporaneously. Um, ah, you know what I mean. The slight may not have been intentional.

[beachmom]

How could it possibly be sexist!?!

I am utterly perplexed at the extreme sensitivity here. There is not one hint of sexism in his remarks.

[Nedsdag]

65. STOP WITH THE SEXIST CRAP!!!!!!!!

Look, Hillary knew what she was getting into when she decided to run for President. She knew there would be things said. If she cannot take the so-called heat, then she better get out of the race NOW!!!!!!!!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!

[DemGa]

77. I had no doubt your post would be proven correct....nt

[ProSense]

5. "I call that sexism." Oh, I call that comment BS! n/t

[tyne]

11. I sure hope

young women aren't paying attention to Hillary's victim strategy.

[jgraz]

6. He's talking down to a poor candidate who is attacking him. And he's doing it quite well.

Every time a bullshit post like this appears, it makes it that much harder for real charges of sexism to be taken seriously. Please stop.

[SteppingRazor]

8. Actually, if I replace "Clinton" with "McCain" and "she" with "he"...

I can completely imagine Obama saying this.

[JBoris]

9. He said "feeling down"? Not "down in the polls"?

[jgraz]

16. In context, he obviously meant "down in the polls"

He immediately followed it with a shot about how when HE was down 20 pts, Clinton wasn't as prone to attack him.

[hfojvt]

74. not necessarily. After all, any time you realised you were losing

you'd be likely to feel down, whether you are male or female. Bad news or realistic assessments happen periodically. Some days you think you are winning and some days you think you are losing.

"There's many a way you can hurt a man and bring him to the ground. You can beat him. You can cheat him. You can treat him bad and leave him when he's down." Queen "Another One Bites the Dust" circa 1976.

[Perky]

10. If he has has sid stop pissing and moaning or "quit whining like a baby"

would it be more accpetable to you?

[LSK]

13. I guess you do not recall Kerry attacking Dean in 2004????

:shrug:

[karynnj]

53. Dean made attacks on Kerry all the way through February

These were worse than Kerry's on him. By February he was saying there was no difference between John Kerry and George Bush. (Not just on Iraq, but things like backing corporations and campaign finance - both of which Kerry had a better record on.) I had started out undecided between them - by January 2003, I preferred Kerry. The latter part of Dean's campaign campaign was disheartening. The fact that Kerry attacked less is not because Kerry is a better person, but that he was winning and Dean was not in striking distance.

Dean started the right with Gephardt in 2003 - by attacking Gephardt on medicaid or medicare. Given Gephardt's record it wasn't fair.

Kerry did attack Dean and he positioned himself as the one with more foreign policy experience - just as Dean positioned himself as the one with executive experience. You know what - they were both accurate - unless you want to count Kerry's cookie company! (a case he wisely opted not to make) Kerry, because he won, has been blamed for ads that he had nothing to do with, including one by Club for Growth (not big Kerry fans there) that called Dean a latte drinking, Volvo driving .... liberal. He also was blamed for an ad paid for mostly by unions that endorsed Gephardt.

[pdxmom]

14. Actually, when I first heard that statement, before all the news people and

the folks on DU got in an uproar, I interpreted it immediately as him saying that when she's down in the polls, she launches attacks. I didn't take it any other way. And so therefore, yes, I can certainly see him saying that to a male candidate.

[FlyingSquirrel]

25. I think if it were a male candidate he'd say

"especially when he's feeling down."

No, seriously I can see how it could be seen as something he would probably have phrased differently against a male candidate. Probably doesn't rise to quite the level of misogyny many here would take it to though.

[featherman]

15. Seems like a gender neutral comment to me

Easily said of any male opponent: "Well, he's losing and needs to boost his appeal so he's going on the attack"

This is a common campaign line that goes back through history.

[stahbrett]

17. I can very well imagine it, if Gore or Kerry had exhibited the same behavior

As Maureen Dowd recently wrote:

After saying she found her “voice” in New Hampshire, she has turned into Sybil. We’ve had Experienced Hillary, Soft Hillary, Hard Hillary, Misty Hillary, Sarcastic Hillary, Joined-at-the-Hip-to-Bill Hillary, Her-Own-Person-Who-Just-Happens-to-Be-Married-to-a-Former-President Hillary, It’s-My-Turn Hillary, Cuddly Hillary, Let’s-Get-Down-in-the-Dirt-and-Fight-Like-Dogs Hillary.

[polichick]

33. Me too. nt

[rock]

19. "periodically"

Poor word choice.

[mod mom]

20. As a woman, I believe Al Gore & John Kerry stayed above the fray by sticking w issues as opposed to

allowing her sleazy campaign strategists talk them into gutter politics-imho.

[Yael]

56. You are not allowed to use facts on a "blatent sexism" thread

It ruins the mood.

:silly:

[mod mom]

79. especially when one is a woman herself!

[babylonsister]

21. Would 'defeated' in place of 'down' placate you, because

that seems to be what he was saying. Maybe he was trying not to hurt her feelings. I don't see this comment as talking 'down' to a woman. He's been totally respectful to Clinton, much more gracious than she's been.

[Cant trust em]

40. Semantics is the trouble with the PC movement

If use of defeated is OK, but feeling down is not then we're in trouble. It's like Rush Limbaugh can say African-America instead of colored (or something more offensive) and he can claim that he's not a racist.

[bunnies]

22. Right. Because only women have feelings.

Men NEVER "feel down" therefore the comment is sexist. :eyes:

[SKKY]

23. I still maintain he meant "down" as in "down in the polls"...

...But that's just me. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.

[uberblonde]

38. "Feeling" down is not the same as "down in the polls."

One does not "feel" down in the polls. Either one is down, or one isn't.

[SKKY]

64. Well, I as have other on this forum, would disagree with you...

...but even if he did mean it as you assert, who cares.

[BOSSHOG]

27. Meanwhile Obama keeps his empty suit clean and pressed

a sure fire attraction to his cult members. But some of them periodically feel down as well. The female cultists. But they all look reall cute with their matching chips on their shoulders.

[burythehatchet]

42. What about us male cultists? I LOVES me some empty suit. Get this, your gal is going

to get trounced by an empty suit.

:rofl:

[BOSSHOG]

51. Who is My Gal?

I've been a General Clark supporter since before the last election and will write him in when I vote next month. Do male cultists have periods?

You all are so cute when you attempt humor or anger.

[beachmom]

28. Oh, please. You know, this constant cry of sexism where there is no there there

cheapens when there is REAL sexism.

[Radical Activist]

30. Yes, I can see that. I don't see anything gender specific about that comment.

He's responding to ugly attacks in a much kinder tone than Hillary uses.

[MrsT]

31. Can you imagine if all the time that spent on faux outrage on du

was instead spent phone banking for Sen Clinton? She'd have a lot more votes, that's for sure.

[saracat]

55. And exactly what are you doing except posting attacks on those posters who support her?

Did you phone bank today?

[MrsT]

61. I sure did. How many anti-Obama posts did you make today?

Too many to count I reckon. I am tired of Clinton supporters like you who spend all day in EVERY. SINGLE. ANTI-OBAMA. THREAD. Just post after post of hyperbole and garbage, all the while she NEEDS OUR HELP. You are doing nothing but making DU uglier. You aren't convincing anyone to support Sen. Clinton. In fact, I think people like you make undecideds less likely to support Sen. Clinton if anything. It is really starting to irritate me. I created a thread asking Sen. Clinton supporters how they were working to get her elected and about 4 people responded. Meanwhile, you and the usual crew are all over every anti-Obama thread. It is NOT HELPING HER.

[saracat]

70. I am certainly not in "Every anti Obama thread" Mostly I am frustrated with the sexism.

And my husband has his own campaign that i am working on.You seem to have too much time on your hands if you are so busy tracking down Clinton support that you disapprove of. I am going back to work.I suggest you make some more calls!

[Common Sense Party]

32. Oh, please. You're being ridiculous.

I can't believe there are 6 more days of this crap.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. You can't seriously be THAT sensitive . . .

Obviously Obama's inroads with women shows he support's issues that they identify with. Get a grip.

[Radical Activist]

35. On second thought, Hillary is the one talking down to Obama far more.

With all the insulting tripe about "let's get real" and experience matters. Maybe its ageism or sexism on her part, but there's no doubt that she is the worse offender about talking down to Obama.

[jgraz]

44. She talks down to him AND his supporters

Of course, that makes her a vicious racist. And anyone who denies it needs to be sent to racist re-education camp. :eyes:

[Johnny__Motown]

36. The offense is slight, at best. The reaction to it is way over the top. Makes her look weak

And if a man over reacted to a such tiny slight as this then he would look weak too. It has nothing to do with gender.

It still isn't a good idea to draw attention to this comment. The first time I heard it I didn't catch the connotation. Once it was pointed out to me by the media then I began to understand. I think if it was ignored it would have simply gone away and that would have helped her campaign far more than these rants.

[ProSense]

37. Richards' sons object to Clinton video

Richards' sons object to Clinton Video

video By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer
Tue Feb 26, 11:30 PM ET

AUSTIN, Texas - The two sons of Ann Richards, the late former Texas governor, are objecting to an Internet video published by Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign that suggests their mother would have supported Clinton.

Clinton's campaign had permission from Richards' youngest daughter, Ellen, who said in a statement provided by the campaign that her mother was an "ardent feminist" who would be thrilled by her friend Hillary Clinton's candidacy.

"I believe that if my mom were alive today that she would be stumping across Texas and around the country supporting Hillary for president," her statement said.

Richards was governor from 1991-1995. She died in September 2006 at age 73. The two-minute video on Clinton's campaign Web site comes a week before the Texas primary and targets women voters in the state.

"So many women around Texas and America are saying, `Wish Ann was here, for us and for Hillary,'" a female voiceover says on the video.

"Today Ann would be asking all of us to make a statement. She would be traveling to every small town and big city in Texas, urging us all to take a stand, be counted, to make a difference, to make history," it says while a picture of Richards and Clinton appears on the screen. "This one's for Texas. This one's for our country. This one's for Ann."

But sons Dan and Clark Richards, partners at an Austin law firm, say nobody can know who the outspoken and opinionated former governor would have supported in the race between Clinton and Barack Obama.

link

Now why wouldn't Hillary get the families approval? It would be different if one of the Richards' children was in the video making the claim, but that wasn't the case.

This is Hillary playing the gender card.

[LSparkle]

39. You're focusing on the word "down" -- as if that's her emotional temperature

I thought what he meant was when she's down in the POLLS, not when she's feeling "blue" (read PMS, emotional, "woman"ly).

[tyne]

47. If Gore would

have scolded him...shook fliers in the air....ordered him to Ohio to TELL HIM WHAT THEY'D BE TALKING ABOUT....

Obama wouldn't have nearly as kind. Neither would the media.

[DefenseLawyer]

43. Give it a rest

Yeah there have never been derisive bitter nasty campaigns before Hillary came a long. It is all sexism. Ask Grover Cleveland "Ma Ma Where's my pa? Gone to the White House! Ha ha ha!" By the way, Grover Cleveland will be appearing at a HRC campaign rally with Ann Richards later this week.

[Saturday]

46. "when she's feeling down" are the operative words.

About as sexist as it comes. Obama supporters always defend his behavior no matter what he says. His wife is allowed to say anything she want too. It will end in the GE when he is attacked for his (and her) lack of tactful word usage. The Republicans will hear what he says and not what he meant to say as his supporters do.

[Lerkfish]

72. um, you guys to back off the crack pipe. why not fight the actual cases of sexism

of which there are many in the press.

[Clovis Sangrail]

48. blah blblblah blblah

This has been battered around for a while now and it's utter BS.
Periodically when I'm feeling down I open up Half Life and kill stuff.

There is ZERO sexist in that statement and people who jump up and down that there is are the cartoons that Limbaugh et al are making fun of.

Seriously.. that type of insanity isn't helpful.

[The Anti-Bush]

52. Oh please, he was trying to be polite. n/t

[Yael]

54. I hope that by 2012, you are able to let this go.

There is a sexist under every rock and all that -- it is tiring.

[Political Heretic]

57. He would be talking this way to Gore or any other man if they were ACTING like Hillary is acting.

I am NOT saying that sexism play no component in this election. It does. So does racism. For example, Hillary's ridiculous performance and exhibits over the last week and a half would be criticized and unproductive if she were a man, but not to the scope that they are criticized because she is a woman. She blew it, plain and simple. But it is made worse for her because of inherent sexism in our culture and society.

In this case however, it is Hillary's OWN BEHAVIOR that has gotten her in trouble.

[Beregond2]

58. Talking Down

He is talking down to her because she has chosen to wallow in the gutter. If she wants to be treated with respect, she should try behaving like an adult.

[zulchzulu]

59. It's the truth. He's talking about Clinton's flawed campaign strategy

How exactly should he phrase a sentence regarding how she appears to enjoy attacking him and Obama supporters?

If it was McCain:

“I understand that Senator MCain, periodically when he’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost his appeal.”

Is that reverse sexism?

[JoFerret]

60. Think Reverend Collins from Pride and Prejudice

He patronizes and preaches at the same time

[Bluerthanblue]

62. I CAN'T imagine Al Gore saying "I am honored to be running with

Barack Obama" one night and a few days later raging about a mailing- and mocking the people who support Obama either.

So your point is moot in my opinion.

I do not deny that the things Matthews said were sexist- but you are seeing sexism everywhere.

peace~

[Adelante]

63. Baloney

This sort of nonsense weakens the case against truly sexist language.

[Cant trust em]

66. Is the sexist card the only one you have?

I think I spent five posts going over this with you yesterday. It's time to pull a new trick out of the hat.

[anonymous171]

67. OMG OLD NEWS!

Perhaps you got the Clinton attack-strategy memo a little late?

[2008]

68. bull shit

he's talking down, all right ... to a weaker opponent

I wish as badly as you do that Hillary was capable of running a truly dynamic campaign, because it would be nice to have a "plan B"

sexism has nothing to do with that quote

[Lerkfish]

71. actually, I can imagine any man talking about any man that way

I think some people are seeing "sexism" in places where there isn't any, which is not to say there isn't any, obviously there is, but I don't see this as a clear example.

[democrattotheend]

73. Down as in down in the polls

Or behind in the race. At least that's how I read it.

[KaptBunnyPants]

80. He is dismissive of her. As she was of her opponents, when she was sure to win.

It's the right strategy. It makes them look desperate for attacking, while you look "above the fray" and "presidential". I suppose you can hate Obama for whatever reason you can convince yourself of, but these desperate cries of "sexism" without a substantial case are not going to turn this election around. At this point, I doubt anything can.

[cindyw]

81. Oh bullshit, men say that about each other all the time.

Translate to, My opponent is attacks me whenever his poll numbers drop. Or how about, whenever Bush's poll numbers drop he launches a new terror alert. Get a life, it's not sexist.

[Occam Bandage]

83. Yep. He will about John McCain. I look forward to it.

[mtnsnake]

84. No kidding. He even shuddered at saying anything back to little Dennis Kuicinich

and John Edwards clearly scared the shit out of him.

He'll be at a loss for words with McCain, if by some miracle he gets the Democratic nod.

[KoKo]

85. Don't forget "Neo-Gore" and his Beautiful Family....Neo-Gore...he's THE ONE!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4779988

[TheDonkey]

86. Holy shit, give it a rest you phoney!!

Are you seriously trying to drag out this quote from weeks ago to beat the sexist horse again.

[Florida22ndDistrict]

88. RE: Can you imagine Barack Obama talking this way about Al Gore?

Why try to make more of it then what it is. Men for the most part say what we mean. We do not play guessing games with words. Look at what was said:

“I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she’s feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal,”

This means Obama interprets Clinton's attacks as a reaction to losing. That she makes these attacks to drag down her opponent, so that the playing feel may seem more level. The use of the word “periodically” does not refer to a womans menstrual cycle. The use of the word “feeling” is not his hidden code for women being more emotional. The phrase “launches attacks” is not code for a hissy fit. The use of “boost her appeal” is not about women wanting to look beautiful, using makeup to look appealing or anything like that. His words are his words, take them for what they are. Communications between the sexes always comes down to crap like this.

[SayitAintSo]

89. He's really changing the tone of politics in Washington... huh ? n/t

[JVS]

91. If she's going to occasionally (usually after an election) reach into the big sack o' negativity...

then that's going to be noticed and pointed out. There is a definite patern to her behavior.

[RunningFromCongress]

92. um yes. In fact I'm sure his words would be much harsher

[cooolandrew]

93. I think he mis-spoke, I think he meant to say ...

I think he meant to say every so often when HRC feels her numbers are down Hillary launches attack to raise her nmbers. It came out a total mes. The last part of the sentance would lead me to beleive that this is the case. Another thing that proves this true is I have not noticed any clear signs of sexism from him at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qNpeGPdhEw

[dysfunctional press]

94. why do some women get so hysterical over certain words being used...?

:shrug:

[goldcanyonaz]

99. Women get so hysterical over certain words??? Thanks for the sexist drivel, pal.

[cooolandrew]

101. There does seem a great hypersensitivity...

These are all the words deemed sexit banshee whine babe preiodically b**** c*** hun hunny sweetie. Some clearly derogetory but sometimes a guy is just saying these things as a term of endearment or genuinely sayhing that person is complainging too much. The downside of feminisn it sometimes drives an unnecessary divide among the sexes that is unhealthy for society.

When it is a clear put down of women I am against it, but when it is just looking for offense under every stone that isn't a good way to live. I let racism bounce off I have pride in my colour, but when it gets violent or political it gets an issue. But I won't call out racism where I don't find it, like Bill Clinton he mis-spoke his general record doesn't show to being racial.

[demokatgurrl]

96. I agree. He (or any other man) would not in a million years.

[Annces]

97. Isn't that condescension

When you are acting like someone is to be pitied, when actually you want to insult them. The southern charm insult.

[goldcanyonaz]

103. BHO is always one thing for sure, and that's condescending.

[GoneOffShore]

98. He's not "talking down" he's making a valid comment

And by the way - Hils attacks whenever she can.

Hmmm - Name for reality TV show -

"When Hils Attacks"

[saltpoint]

100. Her campaign itself is the single most grievous drawback Hillary Clinton

has in this campaign. Her own campaign, her own campaign strategists, and her own compromised husband.

She blew a titanic lead, she had money up to here, and the heft to clear Warner, Bayh, and Vilsack out of Iowa at the snap of her fingers.

But from all counts there was the assumption that after midnight of Feb. 5th she'd be the nominee-apparent.

Her campaign completely underrestimated the competition and her ground game, such as it was, was overwhelmed in several key states, including Wisconsin, which ought to have been in the bag months ago. Obama's team outflanked her there and won by 17% points, carrying 60-some of 70-some counties.

There is sexism in the world, certainly. But more to the issue at hand, there is also spectacularly arrogant and incompetent campaign strategies.

[dionysus]

102. are you high? what the hell is sexist about that?