“The Claws Come Out,” was the Fox News headline that appeared the other week when Michelle Obama’s comments about candidates on the campaign trail were taken out of context. But, hey, when does Fox News let a little thing like accuracy stand in the way of a good story?
The uber-conservative “noise channel” (as it’s routinely described by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann) took Michelle Obama’s comment about “running the house” as the beginning of a Democratic cat-fight between her and Hillary Clinton.
That coverage made me wonder why the media are often so happy to categorize comments by women about other women in that way? If the scenario was changed and the comment had been made by Mitt Romney about John Edwards, the remark most likely would never have seen the light of the broadcast day.
The whole dust-up, from my perspective, is just another way the right-wingers are slyly trying to make the Democrats look like a bunch of pansies who can’t control their uppity, liberal wimmins. Especially when you compare it to the coverage the GOP wives are getting.
No need to talk about the issues or ask the Republican wives why they think their husbands should be in the Oval Office. They’re a little busy showing off the new condo or talking about movie preferences (Judith Giuliani says she and Rudy love to watch Sleepless in Seattle).
While I’m a confirmed Democrat from way back, I would really love to hear the wives of the GOP presidential candidates talk about the issues that are important to them. I have a feeling that they probably wouldn’t be all that different from the ones I’m concerned about — health care (especially for poor children), ending the war, ending poverty in this country and a whole host of other ones.
Think maybe that’s why they’re being limited to comments about hearth and home?
Cross-posted from PunditMom’s Spin Cycle.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:31 am
I think I would actually respect a candidate more (Republican or not) if I heard more about their spouses’ opinions. I can’t imagine myself standing by silently in the same position.
September 5th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
I don’t have anything to add. I just always enjoy reading your posts
September 5th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Oh my GRRRRR I just HATE that…hate that classificaton of women.
Now I’m all agitated.
Must find positive channel…
Julie
Using My Words
September 5th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Trying to turn offhand comments into a “Cat Fight” is just ridiculous. We really do need to focus on the issues at hand, and I’m sure these women have some great platforms for the changes they would like to see made.
September 5th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I think that democratic wives having dust-ups is a good thing. It shows that they have opinions as opposed to the stepford republican wives who walk in lock step with their “get in the kitchen and make me a pie” hubbies.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
According to Vanity Fair, Judith Giuliani has no time for cat fights because she’s too busy figuring out how to walk off with a designer dress.
Ahem.
I agree with Lawyer Mama. I’d like to hear what the spouses think too.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I agree – I think there is a place for spouses’ to discuss their opinions and ideas on both sides. I doubt we will hear much coming from some of them, tho.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Bossy loves this post – and she loves Michelle Obama more – but she loves your Register To Vote Now button even more. Bossy has to get her one of those…
September 5th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I believe the GOP wives are too busy having tea parties and buying new drapes to raise a ruckus.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I would like to hear more from candidate spouses as well. The bottom line is any married couple in the White House must act as team.