Would anyone give advice like this to a male candidate for... anything?

[cali]

this is from an article out of the public tv station in Boston, WBUR:

<snip>

Lose the granny glasses; they’re 40 years late and add about 10 years to her age on TV. Soften the hair; the Page Boy haircut makes her seem joylessly practical. Coaching can deepen her voice, which grates on some, and make her seem less strident. With all the money she’s raised, she can afford the best coaches.

<snip>

Her vocabulary is coarse in an apparent attempt to avoid sounding like a Harvard professor. Small business owners are “busting their tails,” she says in a new ad. At the convention, she tried to convey toughness, with words like “rigged,” “hammered,” “wrecked” and “corrosive.” Later she asked, “Anyone here have a problem with that?” Not at all clear to me that toughness is what she needs. A little modesty perhaps?

<snip>

http://www.wbur.org/2012/09/11/warren-campaign-problems

[hlthe2b]

1. It is horrendously sexist tripe, but unfortunately probably speaks to the current & lingering

state of perceptions with respect to women. Same as Hillary Clinton has gotten all these years. So does she address these stereotypes or continue on? They may be superficial and sexist, but if the perception created is hurting her, what does she do?

I really like Elizabeth Warren and can not believe she is struggling against that smarmy Brown. But, unfortunately the reasons may underscore the ugly reality of this article.

[Nye Bevan]

2. Naomi Wolf telling Al Gore to wear "earth tones" springs to mind.

BTW some of the comments seem spot on.

I had the opportunity to meet Professor Warren and hear her speak on a few occasions prior to her campaign and I found her to be smart, warm and engaging. I would not use any of those words to describe Candidate Warren. Professor Warren told a compelling story about her own background and the future of the middle class. Candidate Warren comes across as a spinsterly librarian who is about to tell me to shush. The picture with this essay is so unusual because it shows Warren smiling. I wish the campaign would show more of her personality.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. It is not uncommon for a male candidate to be given fashion advise public speaking training

But let's face it, Warren needs some help. Her campaign is struggling in a state where a Democrat hasn't lost a regular Senate election in 34 years.