Yeah. I really do hope that BTD and some of the others come back to reason when the primaries are over. I think they simply are too emotionally invested.

Poli,

I think the problem is that racism is generally a lot easier to see. Sexism is more difficult to spot because the reality is that there ARE differences between men and women. We do act and operate differently. And we have thousands of years of gender roles ingrained in our pysche that we need to combat at times.

In a political competition some traditionally feminine traits are not considered assets. So is it sexist to point them out?

And she has periodically been tearing up recently.

So what about all that is so sexist? Sounds like saying what the whole coutntry has been seeing on TV. Can't one speak plainly about what is obviously happening anymore it it is happens to be happening to a female?

This demonstrates hysteria taken to a new height of cronish froth-mouthed nincompoopery. I just wish someone like Camille Paglia would put Taylor Mush into the memory hole this obnoxious nobody deserved long ago.

*gasp*

Seriously, though. I do agree that there have been some truly vile, misogynistic comments made in this campaign. I also think that it's less visible to people than racist comments — which are also being made, but not in the more reputable blogs.

But this ain't one of them.

T: 'Condolezza Rice'. Yes, the most incompetent NSA in American history. Yeah, she'd make a great President! She'd never win a single primary because of 9/11.

Your probably right that the majority of her opponents hate Senator Clinton the person. I don't but I can't stand Bill Clinton AT ALL. But I don't hold that against her.

The problem I have with the whole They hate her because they are sexist argument is that it ignores the possibility that some people hate Hillary Clinton the person. This is particularly true in the press. Chris Matthews may be a sexist, his comments certainly give that impresison. But I think he also hates Hillary.

So while I am sure some people hate her because she is a woman, there misogynists in the world afterall, I don't think that represents a majority of her opponents.

But there is a loud and hostile faction at TalkLeft that loathes Obama, for whatever reason. And they treat Obama supporters quite poorly.

BTD is most certainly feeding this mentality. Jeralyn has been very cordial. But BTD seems determined to poke sticks at the Obama supporters simply because they don't agree with him. And it is a farce for BTD to suggest he is pro-Obama.

I don't see this comment as sexist. Then again I didn't think the fairy tale comment was racist at all. Both were condescending but neither bigoted.

The problem is that Hillary and Obama are competing for the same job. And it's difficult to determine what the ground rules are.

I never would have thought that this historic run for the Dems nomination would get down to this. My wife (who is an outright Obama supporter while I'm just confused) constantly tells me how Senator Clinton is getting a raw deal in the press because she's female. When my wife, Obama Mama as she calls herself, says that, I have to look. And it does seem like she is getting the lion's share of the MSM barbs.

I always wondered what would happen if Condolezza Rice was the Republican frontrunner with Obama and Clinton flighting it out. What a dynamic: black man, white woman, black woman. The MSM and blogosphere would simultaneously explode and implode.

Yet 'another random ridiculous supporter of a desperate and anomic candidate. Part 2: This Time It's Personal!'

'But the one that jangled my every nerve was in saying that Obama “spanked Senator Clinton soundly” in the Potomic Primaries. Really! Did McCain “spank” Huckabee? Did Clinton “spank” Obama in California.'

If you read the sports pages, the term spanked is routinely used to describe when an athlete or team defeats another, male or female, and it does not imply homosexual orgies, either. It has also been used in a political setting for decades.

But here is the smoking gun of your statement: 'I don't know whether Senator Obama's statement was deliberate or as unconscious as President Clinton's remark that Obama's description of his stance on the Iraq war is a fairy tale.'

Bill Clinton NEVER acts unconsciously in politics.

In short, Calm, you show that you are just another random ridiculous supporter of a desperate and anomic candidate.

I believe many women would find Senator Obama's remark to point to the irrational behavior attributed to menopausal women when then get a little “down” — are having mood swings. And I think that's no big stretch to understand that sentiment.

However, I think many readers of even this MODERATE VOICE are probably inured to the blatant sexism posted within, and thus see nothing amiss with Obama's statement.

For example, in two recent cases, there were blatant reminders of the status quo thinking that makes it appropriate to use sexism against Senator Clinton. One in which post-Super-Tuesday awards were given and a negative award was given to Clinton for mentioning that her mother couldn't vote when she was born. But a positive award was given to Obama for winning in Southern States where his Grandfather could not have voted. (That part, at least was true. Kenyan citizens cannot vote in American elections.)

But the one that jangled my every nerve was in saying that Obama “spanked Senator Clinton soundly” in the Potomic Primaries. Really! Did McCain “spank” Huckabee? Did Clinton “spank” Obama in California.

Language such as that serves to diminish Senator Clinton, infantizing her, and making him the Parent (or sexual partner??) in the relationship.

Just watch it, boys. Your mothers are listening to your remarks.

Just another random ridiculous explanation for a desperate and anomic candidate.

I wouldn't fault her for being an opportunist, but I would fault her for using something that is so clearly out of context that she is gaining supporters by negative means.

I haven't seen any comments by her on this, so the above is just my random thoughts.

On the other hand, she could come out smelling like roses if she stood up and denounced it. She can be the “big person” here.

I'm really inclined to think that both Obama and Clinton should just let it be, with no response. I mean it's just so totally out there that I have a hard time that any reasonable thinking person would consider it sexist.

And in this primary that's something I find I have to remind myself about. Don't project on Mrs. Clinton claims not made by her.

That said, there's alot of talk recently about Obama supporters being “cult like”. This example shows that it's not just Obama.