"Masculinity a "trait that is absent from the top of the Democratic field"

[Breeze54]

Politico's Wilner: Masculinity a "trait that is absent from the top of the Democratic field"

http://mediamatters.org/items/200710170008

In an http://mediamatters.org/rd?src=item200710170008&to=http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=AAA1B425-3048-5C12-0091BBBC589F5C69">October 16 Politico article, Elizabeth Wilner wrote that masculinity is "a trait that is absent from the top of the Democratic (presidential campaign) field where, despite Barack Obama's fondness for pickup basketball, none of the candidates is really known for being a guy."

Asserting that 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry does project masculinity -- albeit "an effete, wet-suited masculinity compared to (President) Bush's frat-boy, towel-snapping version"

-- she wrote: "It seems unlikely that between 2004 and 2008, the need for Democrats to show some trappings of strength will just disappear."

Wilner's comments echo the numerous instances Media Matters for America has documented in which media figures have characterized former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) as feminine or weak or reinforced the characterization of the Democratic and Republican parties as the "Mommy" and "Daddy" parties, respectively.

From the October 16 http://mediamatters.org/rd?src=item200710170008&to=http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=AAA1B425-3048-5C12-0091BBBC589F5C69">article in the Politico:

Kerry's road back from the ashes of 2004 has been studded with self-inflicted setbacks. Ultimately, it won't be as triumphant as Gore's.

But nor will it take as long -- and there are growing signs that the events of the post-2004 period have granted Kerry at least the right to say, "I told you so."

For four years after winning the race but losing the presidency, Gore could do nothing right. He ignored his loyalists, got bloated and sweaty, embraced the unruly anti-war left and threw his support behind their 2004 presidential candidate, who then imploded spectacularly.

<...>

Which is the flip side of the swift-boat coin: The tactic may have damaged Kerry's own chances in 2004, but his support could help inoculate other Democratic candidates against similar efforts to impugn their patriotism in 2008.

He also brings brass to the table -- not only his own Vietnam service but also a small army of veteran supporters built during his presidential campaign and his efforts to support veterans who ran for office in 2006.

And Kerry projects something else the Democratic nominee may need, whoever he or she may be: masculinity. Of course, it is an effete, wet-suited masculinity compared to Bush's frat-boy, towel-snapping version. But it's a trait that is absent from the top of the Democratic field where, despite Barack Obama's fondness for pickup basketball, none of the candidates is really known for being a guy.

Kerry's assets are not inconsiderable given that the current president plans to hand off the Iraq war to his successor and the top Republican candidates seem to be lifting the weak-on-terror charge from the Bush campaign playbook. It seems unlikely that between 2004 and 2008, the need for Democrats to show some trappings of strength will just disappear.

Contact:
The Politico E-mail: [e-mail]

[sutz12]

1. Well, all of that Macho bullshit from BushCo has been working so well, right?

:sarcasm:

[mikeytherat]

54. Fauxchismo is hard to perfect. It takes years of practice.

Self-denial, ass-kissing toadies, and a God-complex don't hurt, either.

My philosophy is: if you are reminded, constantly, how _____________ someone is, they aren't.

mikey_the_rat

[Dulcinea]

56. Isn't Hillary the frontrunner?

I rest my case. :eyes:

[rusty quoin]

2. Does this shit still sell? I have always wanted smarts.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

3. Fuck masculinity

Look where all that "guy you can have a beer with" shit got us. I think America is ready for something different.

[rusty quoin]

9. It has always been bullshit. Do you want a tough guy doing your taxes

just because he's a tough guy? It's foolish this tough guy talk.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

26. Or performing your, or your child's, brain surgery?

I seriously think that no one, given a choice between "dumbshit, but seems fun to pal around with" or "smartypants nerd who graduated top of med school class" to do something like that would pick the former. Yet for...oh I dunno...THE MOST IMPORTANT FUCKING JOB IN THE WORLD, that's the kind of criteria Americans will use.

:banghead:

[Breeze54]

13. She's trying to paint the DEMS as weak...

Whether they're masculine or not isn't her point.

Her point is the DEM Party is weak and full of weaklings.

[BoneDaddy]

50. This isn't real masculinity

it is a parody of it. Real masculinity is not macho. They are confusing the two as are you. There are positive and negative sides to masculinity and femininity. This "perception" of masculinity is as wrong as pointing to a supermodel and saying that is the right expression of femininity.

[Rhythm and Blue]

4. Hm. Bullshit, but the kind of bullshit we'll be hearing a lot of. nt

[Mythsaje]

5. You know what bullshit macho swagger says to me?

"I'm afraid that just about anyone can kick my ass."

[babylonsister]

6. You DO know this website sucks, I hope? nt

[Breeze54]

8. Media Matters suckks?? ~~ No it doesn't!!

They're our watch dogs and they're damn good at it!!

[babylonsister]

12. politico, my friend. Not MM. nt

[Breeze54]

15. Obviously Politico sucks, that's why I posted this!

:silly:

[babylonsister]

30. See 'your' post #8, pal. nt

[Breeze54]

34. What about it?

:shrug:

[babylonsister]

36. This has nothing to do with MM, only that other site. nt

[Breeze54]

40. I know that but your first comment didn't say what site you didn't like.

"You DO know this website sucks, I hope? nt"

So, I replied.

I don't get what you're driving at. :shrug:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

7. Oh, that is a weak sting, indeed.

MKJ

[robinlynne]

10. "politico", a website that none of us bothers to read.

[Breeze54]

17. They're featured on every news station on TV. They're the "official political consultants"

So, it's a good idea to know what bullshit they're slinging so we can be ready because the crap is on it's way!

[robinlynne]

19. Breeze, I didn't mean to knock your OP at all. I was trying to find a funny way to use their same

cadence about them. Sorry if it came out as insulting to you.

[Breeze54]

27. I just thought you didn't know anything about Media Matters. - I wasn't insulted.

That's why I made my comment! ;)

[ShortnFiery]

47. Politco.com, a site shamelessly promoted by Bush during one of his infamous Pressers. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

49. But posting this drivel from Politco.com ?!? I'm re-evaluating MediaMatters. :( n/t

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

52. Media Matters posts drivel from a variety of RW sources, for the purpose of exposing

the falsehoods and character assasinations. This article seems to fit in to those categories nicely.

MKJ

[Breeze54]

58. Then you don't understand the concept.

They highlight all conservative lies and post the source all the time!!!

[Fovea]

11. And the wide stance party's

penis worship and foot tapping, page pumping, friend shooting viagra induced
machismo is better?

[babylonsister]

16. Ha! Not even. Conversing about it? Maybe not so much.

:hi:

[pinto]

14. Oy. What, we're supposed to elect the guy that can drink beer and get his buddies to beat up the guy

down the street. Sorry Ms. Wilner. The Republicans have already run that one by America, and the world. To disastrous effect.

[Breeze54]

21. Yeah, the rethugs have run it but she keeps beating that drum over and over.

:crazy:

They're going to keep doing it too!

[rwheeler31]

18. Sittin in front of the tv demandin a beer, shit we don't have

a one of um.

[Fenris]

20. For a pundit to say the Democratic candidates are masculine...

it would probably take Hillary chomping on a cigar and shooting off an M-16 at small animals, and any of the male candidates fucking their wives live on television, preferably during a debate.

But of course the media seems to gauge masculinity by how well a candidate fits into stupid male stereotypes. Which is why they think Fred Thompson wears English Leather and spends his days riding his wife around and driving a muscle car down to a slaughterhouse so he can personally strangle his dinner.

[Breeze54]

24. lmao! - Great descriptions!

:rofl:

[pinto]

32. LOL. I think it would be a hoot if *all* our primary candidates held a brush clearing event

photo-op, complete with jeans, boots, rolled up sleeves, but *on horse back*.

I can hear the voice over - "We don't have to play cowboy on a make believe ranch to be President. Vote for the real deal and we'll clear out the deadwood - in Washington."

They wouldn't, and probably too edgy, off the point (since Bush retires in '09 anyway), but sure would be funny.

[nickgutierrez]

22. How does John Kerry exude masculinity, but Barack Obama not?

For that matter, and using that criteria, what makes Mitt Romney "masculine"? Or "Dead" Fred Thompson? Or Rudy "37 Divorces" Giuliani?

This article is ridiculous, and I'm frankly surprised Media Matters gave it the light of day given the obscurity of the writer.

[Breeze54]

25. Media matters goes AFTER the conservative liars!! - (This is one of them!)

That's what Media Matters does!! ;)

Who We Are

http://mediamatters.org/about_us/

Media Matters for America is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media.

Launched in May 2004, Media Matters for America put in place, for the first time, the means to systematically monitor a cross section of print, broadcast, cable, radio, and Internet media outlets for conservative misinformation — news or commentary that is not accurate, reliable, or credible and that forwards the conservative agenda — every day, in real time.

Using the website www.mediamatters.org as the principal vehicle for disseminating research and information, Media Matters posts rapid-response items as well as longer research and analytic reports documenting conservative misinformation throughout the media. Additionally, Media Matters works daily to notify activists, journalists, pundits, and the general public about instances of misinformation, providing them with the resources to rebut false claims and to take direct action against offending media institutions.

[nickgutierrez]

44. I'm very familiar with Media Matters

:)

All I'm saying is that I'm surprised they gave this particular article the time of day - it's not their usual high-profile asshole of a target, you know?

[Breeze54]

45. They go after ALL the conservatives. Period!

I didn't know that you knew but they do a great job calling out the Cons!! :)

"We're dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media."

It's a nasty job but somebody has to do it! ;)

[SeattleGirl]

23. Yee haw! Let's hear it for that cowboy mentality!

Dear Pukes: John Wayne is dead. Get over it.

[illinoisprogressive]

28. Obama and Edwards don't need to posture like republicans because they are secure in

their masculinity. Even Hillary is secure in her masculinity as well.

[rusty quoin]

31. And Craig too.

:sarcasm:

[Monk06]

29. Well at least we know what gets Repug women moist. A little rool in the grass

with the high school quarter back. Then marry
the son of a car dealer and start cruisin the
swinger conventions in Vegas.

Stepford wife cretin.

[rusty quoin]

35. Speaking of that,

haven't you noticed that Republican women representatives, and I don't mean Congress, have been more and more good looking? They get them pretty so they are more digestible.

[Bitwit1234]

33. Where in the S.O.B. hell has this white tought guy macho crap

gotten us. The ruination of a great nation. Look at FDR a man in a wheelchair who had more guts, more determination and more "get up and go" than any of the swaggering macho men out there.

Look at JFK, a man almost crippled with a back injury. Someone who save not only this country from annilation but the whole world from a nuclear conflict.

And saying something like this is just another put down on Hillary. A PIECE OF SHIT MAN HAS LED THIS COUNTRY INTO THIS, let's see a woman get us out.

[OHdem10]

37. She is not the first to note this--we had a discussion like

following a C. Matthews show.

A similar discussion had come up on the show. Essentially,
it was agreed that Republicans usually put forth "manly" men.

Chris says Demos choose candidates with their heart
and GOP with their head.

What they are saying as I understand it is a manly looking man
gets points out the gate because his very looks give the impression
of a strong leader.

I would say that this "Image thing" has had more effect and helped
Guilliani stay in the lead on the GOP.

It means fairly or not so fairly, the person who is not gifted
with the manly image has to work harder to prove he/she can lead.

For a woman Hilary has the "leader image" and this has helped her.

[Breeze54]

42. They're using it to insult the Democratic Party and make them look 'weak';

Lame as that is and they'll keep doing it.

Screw Matthews. He's a complete moron, imho.

Don't believe anything these RW pundit pukes say!

[riverdeep]

55. Uh, Guiliani?

No offense to Rudy, but he looks like Nosferatu and Guido had a baby. He doesn't fit the stereotype of masculinity in image in any way. He talks tough and divorces his wife on live TV, like real men should, but his physical appearance does him no favors, even among knuckle draggers.

[Swamp Rat]

38. Utter nonsense.

:eyes:

[tech3149]

39. It might not be "masculinity", but DK got himself one fine wife

If I could do half as good, I'd consider myself lucky.

[Breeze54]

43. She's very intelligent, I agree.

And a very caring person.

[Marr]

41. Their shallow version of masculinity is more of a machismo fetish than anything else.

Masculinity not about leather pants and handlebar mustaches, if you know what I mean. That's a phony caricature that rich daddy's boys put on when they want to seem manly.

They've got a sort of Jeff Gannon masculinity.

[SergeyDovlatov]

46. Hmm.. Kucinich wife might have a different opinion. A lot of people envy Dennis masculinity

[ShortnFiery]

IMO, there's nothing sexier than an intelligent man who can't be bought.

But I had a crush on Alan Alda's M.A.S.H. character (Hawkeye Pierce) during the 70s, so what the hell do I know. :shrug:

[ShortnFiery]

48. dupe

:blush:

[Perry Logan]

51. Why can't wingers admit they're sexually attracted to Democrats?

[JerseygirlCT]

53. What the heck?

Some twisted definition of masculinity at work here.

Frankly, I'd take anything over a towel-snapping frat boy, anyday. And that extended back to my college days. I ran far and fast from those jerks then, and I still do.

Is this a backhanded way of dissing Hillary and saying a woman couldn't possibly be president?

(I'm not at all sold on her, btw, but her gender has nothing to do with that. I'll confess: if anything it leaves me feeling MORE inclined her way, not less).

In fact, maybe it's time to discard these notions of masculinity as anything worthwhile in our government.

[riverdeep]

57. Bush is highly masculine:

He's a 'cowboy' afraid of horses.

He grew up in the unforgiving and brutal environment of Northeastern prep schools.

He's failed at everything he's ever touched, even when given huge bailouts.

His children are spoiled, drunken louts.

His wife is Xanexed out of her mind to make the nightmare bearable.

He's a stinking COWARD who can't hold a simple town meeting without it being stacked with plants.

Oh yeah, that's masculine.

But really, as absurd as it might seem, a huge segment of the country thinks this sort of faux masculinity is what a man should be. Huge.

[Breeze54]

59. I agree with all but one ---

"He grew up in the unforgiving and brutal environment of Northeastern prep schools."

I went to a New England Prep school and some of my classmates were total violent, nasty assholes!

[Mrs. Overall]

60. He was a cheerleader, too: