8.3.3.2.V24/13/08 Portland Oregonian E05
2008 WLNR 7068951
Copyright 2008 Oregonian Publishing Co.
April 13, 2008
Section: Commentary
SEXISM IN THE CAMPAIGN Oregon leaders decry bias undermining Clinton
BETTY ROBERTS
SEXISM IN THE CAMPAIGN Oregon leaders decry bias undermining Clinton
BETTY ROBERTS, JANE CEASE
and REP. SARA GELSER
W e aren't surprised to see sexist language being more widely used in this presidential campaign after Jay Leno last year --even before the primaries --joked that "over 18 million American men currently suffer from erectile dysfunction. Doctors say that number could double if Hillary gets elected."
With jokes like that and other, more pointed criticisms of Sen. Hillary Clinton, it's no wonder that, when she carries on a campaign that could make her our first woman president, disturbing patterns of gender discrimination emerge in media treatment.
The media, pundits and voters tend to assume a familiarity with this candidate, referring to her only by her first name. In fairness, Clinton has used her first name extensively to distinguish herself from her husband and to placate demands that she soften her public image.
Still, news outlets and pundits commonly drop her title while using her male opponents' title, diminishing the office she holds and suggesting a lack of importance or power. But it's not only the media.
At a recent Portland City Club speech, an Oregon senator referred to her as "Mrs." Clinton and in the same breath to Obama as "Senator" Obama, to the dismay of the women in the audience.
Apparently concerned that a woman in the White House will undermine men, Republican activist Roger Stone formed an independent political organization to defeat Sen. Clinton. The organization, which sells T-shirts, uses an acronym that is one of the most derogatory words used to describe a woman. Similar ugly slogans can be found in the political T-shirt market, where Hillary Haters can express themselves with "Get Back in the Kitchen," or "Life's a b, don't vote for one."
The Center for Media and Public Affairs, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C., issued a report in February analyzing the content of 765 news stories that clearly confirmed media bias in the presidential contest. The center reported that Clinton has gotten the worst press treatment of all the major candidates, with Obama receiving 83 percent positive comments to Clinton's 47 percent.
Close to home, The Oregonian on April 6 headlined Clinton's visit to Oregon with "Clinton gushes over Oregon's green steps." We are sure no male candidate would ever be described as "gushing." Those of us who saw and heard her would say "Senator Clinton applauded and supported Oregon's green steps."
Why is it so hard for this country to accept women as capable, competent partners? Why does a woman in power threaten so many? Clinton is not without flaws --no candidate is perfect, and we don't expect that.
What we do expect, as women who have served this state for many years, is an unbiased and respectful assessment of the first woman to reach a level in the political power structure high enough to put her in a good position to be our next president.
We are encouraged by the number of men showing up at Clinton rallies and the public endorsement of her by predominantly male organizations such as labor unions, by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and by actor Jack Nicholson, who said, "She never gives in, and she's battle tested."
Still, watching these reactions to Clinton's candidacy, we think we may need to dig out our old equal rights activist buttons which say, "A man of quality is not threatened by a woman of equality."
Betty Roberts is a retired justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Jane Cease is a former Oregon state senator. Sara Gelser is a member of the Oregon House of Representatives representing
Corvallis and Philomath.