In reading the reaction to John McCain's VP choice--much of it quite sexist, in my opinion--I was struck by the boundaries the media is willing to cross when the candidate is a woman. And, the double standard.
Of course, I wonder about the qualifications of a self-professed "hockey mom," a heartbeat away from the presidency with the world's largest nuclear load under her command. But the jokes about her go-go boots and mini-skirts (hello, who didn't commit fashion crimes in the '80s?) are frankly chauvinistic. Isn't that what post-feminism has been about? To wear lipstick or knit or display a well-turned ankle without being smacked down by men, society or other women?
Who among us could withstand the kind of scrutiny female candidates receive? I was joking this weekend about how I would survive such scrutiny.
A scene from the McLaughlin Group:
"The candidate has a master's degree...in creative writing!" Pat Buchanan collapses in laughter, rolling on the floor kicking his legs.
"Yes, but her grades were stellar and she has executive experience."--Eleanor Clift.
"As president of the Colorado Authors' League!" interrupts Monica Crowley. "This qualifies her to lead the war on terror?"
"I see a lot of positives with this choice," observes Clarence Page. "She's from a swing state..."
"With 8 electoral votes," Buchanan still giggling interjects.
"Let me finish," Page says. "She's from a swing state. She's been a terrific advocate for higher education access, the environment, women's rights."
Crowley: "She'll alienate the religious right. I'm also not sure the core can accept her inter-faith marriage."
Eleanor Clift: "She's a crackerjack writer."
Buchanan: "But have you heard her speak? She can't think on her feet. Slow as molasses in January.
Clift: "She just needs to get through the debate."
Crowley: "Well, there are all the rumors, too."
McLaughlin: "Oh, for goodness sake."
Crowley: "They say she's a knitter. Do you know they say she has six bins of yarn in her basement?"
Clift: "She has every right to knit. It's supposed to be very calming."
Buchanan: "I don't think we want a candidate knitting like Madame Defarge when our troops are going into harm's way."
McLaughlin: "My prediction: She'll take the knitter vote. Bye bye."