Media Matters: MSNBC Democratic debate coverage rife with sexist stereotypes

[babylonsister]

http://mediamatters.org/items/200704280003?f=h_latest

MSNBC Democratic debate coverage rife with sexist stereotypes

Sexist references abounded during MSNBC's April 26 coverage of the first Democratic presidential candidates debate in the context of discussions about the only female candidate, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY). MSNBC host Chris Matthews focused obsessively on the appearances of Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) wife, Michelle, to the point that NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell reminded him that they are Yale and Harvard-educated lawyers, respectively. MSNBC host Tucker Carlson asked a Clinton campaign spokesman whether Clinton had an "unfair advantage because of her sex."

"Cosmetics"

During the pre-debate coverage, Matthews repeatedly discussed what Clinton would be "wearing" and asserted, "I'm fascinated by the visual." Matthews said of Clinton: "She's the only woman out there, so everybody else will be in charcoal or navy, and then everybody else will have a red tie, so she gets to be the distinguishing characteristic."

During the post-debate coverage, Matthews praised Clinton for her "dynamite" choice of pearls, which he also characterized as being reminiscent of Grace Kelly, adding, "The cosmetics tonight are very important." Matthews also complimented Michelle Obama's pearl necklace. He declared that she "looked perfect," "well-turned out ... attractive -- classy, as we used to say. Like Frank Sinatra, 'classy.' "

Further, Matthews appeared to argue that many viewers would be basing their decisions about the candidates on how, in Clinton's case, the candidate was dressed, or, in the case of the male candidates, how their spouses were dressed: "Some people are, by the way, just watching tonight. They stopped listening a half-hour in, and they noticed how pretty she is -- Michelle -- and they said, 'I like the fact he's got this pretty wife. He's happily married. I like that.' They like the fact that Hillary was demur, lady-like in her appearance." When Mitchell interjected, noting "You're talking about two ... lawyers," who went to "Harvard and Yale," Matthews defended himself, saying, "Cosmetics are a part of this game."

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[Democrat 4 Ever]

1. That's Tweety. Not very deep. He'd drown in a mud puddle. eom.

[Merlot]

2. "Mathews Knows Best"

It's nice and safe in his little world. Mommy wears pearls and dresses nice. Daddy wears a suit and goes to work each day. Bud, Kitten and Princess are oh so happy.

Meanwhile, I'm going to loose my breakfast reading this dreck.


ps Barbara Walters did a special on transgendered children last night.

[OHdem10]

3. "Not very deep" is right on the mark.

Brian Williams and Chris Matthews have salaries
in the millions. Obsess over Edwards being rich.
and carry on over a haircut. They never went batty
over the fact that Laura Bush went to a NY Hairstylist
who gets over one thousand to style women's hair.So
what if you can afford it , have at it. We do
not envy the rich. We are not anti Capitalistic.
It is our system. We do believe it is the job
of Democrats to make Capitalism Fair and Palatable
to the graeater society. Pundits just appear
to want to stir up clsss envy that is not there.
They are so disconnected from the people --it is
frightening. We are trying to find someone
who fills the bill for President and they are
gossiping.

According to Alan Blinder(ex Fed Reserve Chm) we
are headed to losing 45 million jobs(professional
and high skilled)==45 million job dislocations.
Global Warming--a never ending war and our
Commentators are concerned about looks and
haircuts.

[juno jones]

4. I do have a problem with capitalism

When I work 40 hours a week and can't even afford to go to 'Great Clips' et al. We poor and obscure make do with clippers and luck. Any governors out there willing to shave their heads at home in solidarity with us overgrown impoverished people?...thought not.

[OHdem10]

5. I understand what you are saying

but I would argue that your problems are result of
a Democratic Party led by DLCers who cave in to
business interests over their constituents.

There was a time when the Democratic Party did
its job and the middle class did ok.

We have to make demsands on our party.

[msongs]

6. he also belittled Mike Gravel in his condescending unctious usual manner. nt

[Berry Cool]

7. They make very good points here

but some DU'ers are just as bad.

How many posts were there the other night about how jaw-droppingly gorgeous Elizabeth Kucinich is? How many are there around here normally? And what does any of that have to do with what a good president Dennis would make? Yet over and over it's "she's SOOOOOO beautiful" and "what a great First Lady she'd make" and "she is so hot" and "Dennis must be a great man if he could get someone like THAT to marry him."

[babylonsister]

8. Good point, BB; I've noticed that, too. Or,

what candidate is hot, etc. I guess looks do matter, but Tweety should probably be above that if his show is supposed to be all about politics.

[Honeycombe8]

14. True...it's one thing for average folks to notice and remark on...

appearance of the women. It's another for a political show covering a debate to do that.

But looks are part of the political process. We all know that. It is a sad fact, though, that most folks focus on the appearance of the women more so than on the men.

But as a women, I most definitely notice the looks of the men, both good and bad. But I don't really focus on what they're wearing much, because men's clothes are not that different, really.

I DO notice the women's clothes more because I have a natural interest in that, and the women dress more interestingly, and they wear jewelry and such. I mean, I LOVE Pelosi's pearls! But I'M not a pundit on a political talk show covering a debate. There's a time and place for everything.

[Eric J in MN]

10. We aren't being paid millions to help people choose a president.

Chris Matthews is.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. Hillary demure and ladylike? She looked like a President up there to me, Buster!

And just noting that I support another candidate, but I felt an I-am-woman pride for her in that debate.

[illinoisprogressive]

11. Tweety drools all over himself about Clinton. He has a crush...how sweet.

[Evergreen Emerald]

12. it is purposeful...he is not stupid

Minimizing her because of her gender. It took Andrea Mitchell to remind him that Clinton and Ms. Obama are not simply about their appearances.

[LeFleur1]

13. What I Want to Know

What I want to know is who at MSNBC really thinks Matthews and the rest should have been given all of that time when the candidates could have used it to explain their positions?
MSNBC made another serious mistake in taking the candidates off and putting this bunch of people on air who do nothing more than run at the mouth. (With the exception of Oberman, who could have waited to give us his take.)
Did anyone really get any information that would benefit the country from watching these jerks tell us what we saw? I left and switched back several times to see if there was anything of value on, but the only thing on air was this bunch of blabbermouths who love, love, love to hear themselves speculate.
Do the head honchos at MSNBC really believe anyone gives a damn what Matthews thinks about Hillary or anyone else? Do they live in a bubble?
And the advertisers...do they think anyone cares?
The media lost my respect even before this inept administration was elected, and they've done nothing to gain it back.