Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Chris Wallace asked Michele Bachman: "Are you a flake?"

There seems to be a pattern developing in presidential politics.

When an attractive woman starts to yield some power even men who agree with her policies seem to feel the need to put her down in some way. There are numerous examples of this problem with the way Sarah Palin is treated in the media.

On Sunday Chris Wallace, after mentioning a few things Michele Bachman has said that perhaps should not have been said, actually asked, "Are you a flake?"

I'm sorry. I've watched Fox News Sunday for a long time and I don't think Chris Wallace would have asked a male candidate such a condescending and disrespectful question. After her excellent answer he fumbled to try to explain why he would ask such a thing and finally said,

"Do you -- do you -- and I think it's important to say that. But do you recognize that now that you're in the spotlight, in a way that you weren't before, that you have to be careful and not say what some regard as flaky things?"

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-news-sunday/transcript/rep-michele-bachmann-talks-earmarks-obamacare-and-gay-marriage-sen-kyl-debt-talks#ixzz1QaJoBTCh

Oh please. Chris. You are not speaking to a child. Please keep the sexism a little more under wraps. I know that as a Christian I should not be assigning motives to people. I'm sure that Chris Wallace did not say to himself let me see how I can belittle Michele Bachman. No. I think it was more the unconscious drive that some men feel to put down an attractive powerful woman.

I do not consider myself a feminist because of the gross distortions feminism has promoted in regard to the role of woman in our society and, needless to say, in regard to the sanctity of human life. But when a respected journalist on FOX treats a woman in a manner that he surely would never treat a man, something is wrong. Whatever his intent was, this is sexism.

I was appalled. I can't imagine what he was thinking. He should send her a hand written apology followed up by a phone call with no excuses about this being what some people are saying.

Just my opinion.

P.S. I guess Mr. Wallace did apologize by phone to Michele Bachman yesterday and she accepted his apology. Still, it raises the question of why there is this unequal treatment of candidates.

2 comments:

Kate said...

It is a pretty silly interview question, and I agree it wouldn't likely be asked of a man. It's pretty much outright disrespectful. And it's not like there aren't a lot of good hard hitting questions Bachmann could and should be asked, about her lack of job experience, about her qualifications, about irregularities in how campaign funds have been used in the past, etc. There's really no need to condescend.

Suzanne said...

I truly think that most males have a little bit of a pride issue anytime a woman appears to be intelligent and very capable of performing well in a position traditionally held by men. That is just my personal opinion...mind you, not all, but most and even if it is one comment..one question ..it seems they almost seem compelled to make some sarcastic or teasing remark, but it serves to only make it obvious that they may feel "threatened." Silly, but true. PS I am not a "feminist" in any major way either..."Feminist for Life," perhaps! ;) BTW..How is my friend? Miss you! I got a copy of one of our pictures to send to you..hopefully one day next week, I will sit down and get some notes out in snail mail..would you send me your mail address privately? Thanks!