Did Obama just make a sexist statement against Hillary? "The claws come out."

[Skip Intro]

Matthews played a clip of Obama at the end of his show where Obama took a break from explaining in depth and specificity his positions (yeah, that was a joke) to say they like you when you're twenty points down, but "...when you start challenging the status quo, then suddenly the claws come out."

Everyone has heard a fight between two women called a "cat fight."

Was Obama's use of the term, "claws come out" a play on that saying? Was it sexist? Or some form of HOPE I don't get?

[jlake]

1. Yes. What else is new?

[UALRBSofL]

27. Yes he did say that on his personal jet

while surrounded by reporters. They have shown the soundbite several times. Not the best choice of words.

[jasmine621]

33. Yes. Even my husband said that immediately.

Obama has really been pretty nasty but he still gets a huge pass by the MSM.

[DUyellow]

2. get a life

[southern_dem]

62. this

:thumbsup:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. Oh, Jesus Christ.

:rofl:

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

4. Obviously a veiled sexist statement!

[Nedsdag]

123. And you call Obama supporters "cultists."

Last I checked there were claws on bears as well. Where's the sexism?

[MADem]

5. He'd better hope KITTY doesn't SCRATCH!!! Meow!!!!

He sounded a bit...terse. Testy.

He's got a problem in the way he comes across at times.

[Deja Q]

6. Both candidates could be seen as bearish too...

:)

[Proud2BAmurkin]

7. gaffe machine not ready for the national stage

[milkyway]

If he's so not ready for the national stage then why is Queen Inevitable losing to him?

[KennedyGuy]

8. He just can't help himself can he?

troubling.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

25. I know what you mean. Skip, and many others, continue to sling poo.

It IS troubling.

[intaglio]

96. Is that a racist remark???

after all only monkeys sling poo. :sarcasm:

[Captain Hilts]

9. Yep. That's sexist. nt

[ursi]

10. if she does act like a cat with claws ...backfire! neither one of them can afford to get pulled into

a debate like that

[Thrill]

11. You must be a very insecure person

[bigwillq]

12. Not sexist.

Male animals have claws too.

[Captain Hilts]

43. It's the connotation, not the definition that is important here. nt

[formernaderite]

113. freddie kruger had claws

might be the picture that was coming to him...lol

[polichick]

13. LOL - I heard it and wondered how long it would be...

...before someone at DU called it sexist. This place is Paranoia Central!

[faithfulcitizen]

80. I thought the same thing when I heard it too...Bet someone on DU will make hay-yep! lol

Never fails. :)

[Bucky]

14. Oh, so now it's somehow sexist to suggest she's a hysterical pussy?

Quit being so sensitive! :evilgrin:

[Cameron27]

17. lol

[Lucinda]

15. I wonder if he's making a lot more negative comments these days, or if they

are just finally getting around to airing the usual jabs. It's making him sound very negative either way.

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

18. He sees the momentum dying and is desperate!

[gmudem]

69. How's fairy tale land lately?

I haven't been able to make it in a while.

[yourout]

16. Talk about a reach.

[incapsulated]

19. Hey, if "fairytale" and "LBJ" means racist, "claws" is sexist

WORKS FOR ME.

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

30. True enough!

[Booster]

57. Great answer. Obama acts like a Republican - ok for him to say

whatever he feels, but not ok for them to do the same. Testy, ain't he?

[rocktivity]

20. Would you have preferred, "The knives come out?"

:headbang:
rocknation

[SoxFan]

Yes!

He's a scary black man, and they all carry knives!

[Captain Hilts]

41. Yes, I would. nt

[rocktivity]

76. But knives are phallic (sexist) and stereotypically carried by black men (racist)!

:rofl:
rocknation

[LostinVA]

99. Yes

[DS1]

111. No, because then they'd be complaining that he called her a Brownshirt

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_of_the_Long_Knives

[hiaasenrocks]

21. That is AWFUL! Put this man in jail ASAP! He may have violated someone's PC code.

Boycotts! Marches! Sit-ins!

[dchill]

120. Absolutely!

Claw him!

[NoPasaran]

22. I think it's speciesist!

OMG! Obama hates kitties! He's done on DU!

[Smarmie Doofus]

23. Bit of a stretch but I guess two can play this game. nt

[Happyhippychick]

24. Not sexist but definitely miskittyish.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

26. Good grief..... n/t

[Crooked Moon]

28. perhaps, but then...

we tread down a dangerous path in these historic times when we view every comment and criticism of one candidate or the other through the prism of race or sex.

[Jed Dilligan]

29. If Hillary becomes president,

can we look forward to four years of tedious parsing like this?

[boston bean]

34. then you can agree that we can look forward to the same type of tedious parsing if obama wins. nt

[Jed Dilligan]

36. At least he's not already famous for it.

[Seabiscuit]

31. Yes it sounds kind of sexist. When John Edwards used the original phrasing by the

way, this is what he said:

"Any time you speak out powerfully for change, the forces of status quo attack. That's exactly what happens."

Obama using "claws come out" sound real sexist it could have been worded differently.

[Beaverhausen]

37. I too thought of Edwards statement about status quo

and how ha mananged to not make a nasty, sexist remark.

[chimpymustgo]

63. And Obama paused a moment - thought about it - then pulled the trigger.

He meant to say that - exactly as he did.

[TriMetFan]

107. How true.

[Orangepeel]

32. No. (n/t)

[angie_love]

35. LMAO! Ok then...

I'm a woman and "claws come out" is not sexist. Lighten the fuck up.

[comfycouch]

38. Obama will be fine..the media doesnt' hate him

If Bill Clinton had said anything as irrelevant regarding blacks, that's another story.

[Straight Shooter]

39. It's sexist. The same comment has been applied to Michelle, by Pox News.

Fox & Friends on Michelle Obama's comments: "The Claws Come Out"

Gretchen Carlson asserted that Michelle Obama was "taking off the gloves and letting loose the claws" in making what "some say ... is a personal attack on Hillary Clinton." Later, co-host Brian Kilmeade stated that Obama "said ... 'If you can't run your own house, then you can't run the White House.' " Kilmeade then asserted, "Many people are saying that she's talking about Hillary Clinton." And on-screen text said, "The Claws Come Out: Mrs. Obama Aims at Sen. Clinton."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200708220010

Yes. When men fight, they "duke it out." When women fight, "the claws come out."

But what the hell, let's play another episode of "What Obama Really Meant."

[Connie_Corleone]

42. And if he had said "duke it out", he would be accused of domestic violence.

Stupid nonsense.

[Straight Shooter]

48. He wouldn't have said "duke it out." That's the point. First thought in his head is "claws."

Once again he forgot his political manners and spoke his mind, for what it's worth.

What Obama Really Meant. It's a perpetually revolving door of material from him.

[elixir]

40. Unequivocably a sexist statement.

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

45. He is gonna pay for this one again, look for a drop in numbers!

[flpoljunkie]

44. Ah, more "victim" talk from the one who turned on a dime to attack Obama after tearing up in NH.

[Nimrod2005]

46. Idiot.....Shut up!

[mtnsnake]

47. Your dam right it was. He should have been more tactful and said something like this:

"...when you start challenging the status quo, then suddenly they get their panties all in a wad."

[tabatha]

49. Well, that should stop the fears of him not being able to stand

up to the nasty repubs.

[madrchsod]

50. i watched my sisters claw each othe up...nasty....

obama comments

sexist? probably stupid comment -yes

[jenmito]

51. Did Bill Clinton make a racist statement when he said Jesse Jackson won SC?

Afterall, BILL won SC and so did Edwards. Why bring up Jackson? :eyes:

[TriMetFan]

110. Yes that was wrong. But you are talking

about one wrong of Bills to how many wrong things Obama has said. Obama keeps on trash talking. So who is getting the pass?

[jenmito]

114. What wrong things has Obama said?

[KingOfLostSouls]

52. If he did...

thats hilarious, hahaha

"vote for me and I'll tame that kitty"

[AX10]

53. Yes. The "claws" of a cat is the reference.

"cat" = women.

So it is a sexist remark.

[boston bean]

55. I am sure many women who may be upset or angry have had this used on them in one way or another.

put the claws down, is one that comes to mind.

get the claws out, is another.

Your claws are coming out.

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

56. Wonder how he can Spin it? I meant to call her a Lobster?

LOLOLOL

[1776Forever]

54. This is what he said at Tulane University and no I don't think it was sexiest -

"You challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out." ...He could mean a tiger's claw's or a lion's claw's.

Anyway all of a sudden Hillary is using his Change and Hope messages.

:nuke:

[Samantha]

72. That's what I was thinking - a lot of "animals" have claws

If he had meant Hillary specifically, he would not have used the pronoun "they."

[LostinVA]

100. Exactly -- cats' claws -- you agree then it's sexist

[Warren DeMontague]

58. Maybe it was an anti-Santa statement.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/12/21/fondue_badsanta_narrowweb__300x449,0.jpg

[Thrill]

59. Are you being sexist? You're insinuating a woman has claws. I'm more outraged

at your assumption

[jenmito]

60. Hillary made her gender an issue. She has to take the good with the bad.

[LostinVA]

102. By your logic, it's okay for anyone to be racist toward SEnator Obama

Ridiculous. Of course it isn't. NEITHER IS ACCEPTABLE.

[jenmito]

115. Wrong. First of all, Obama never claimed that he embodies change just because of his race.

Hillary has said that about her gender. If she wants to play the gender card, her supporters can't yell "sexism" whenever anyone makes a comment that MAY be construed as "sexist." People are way too sensitive about a subject Hillary is more than happy to use to her advantage.

[TriMetFan]

112. And Obama made his race an issue.

[jenmito]

116. No he didn't. The Clinton camp made his race an issue.

[Occam Bandage]

61. So, he's saying that he's a woman too? This is the weakest cry of "sexism" yet.

[smalll]

64. He keeps this up, he'll have to pull out her seat AND pour her a glass of water

at the next debate to atone for the latest round of bad manners.

[michaz]

65. Oh come on! That was not a sexist remark.

I have never seen such nonsense. Every time the man says something, someone turns it into a sexist remark. Just keep looking for crap like this that you can turn. The more I hear this garbage the more I like Obama!

[VotesForWomen]

66. by the O standard of racism, it is unquestionably sexism, but it's OK, cuz sexism doesn't matter

anyway.

[REDFISHBLUEFISH]

70. Yep

[Auntie Bush]

67. definitely sexist!

[karynnj]

68. No - he is not even referring to HRC

This is the same thing said a million times. Everybody goes after you when you are a front runner or close to one - as both the candidates are. I've heard that phrase all my life.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

71. He was just jiving.

O8)

[starroute]

73. A little googling on "the claws come out"

On one hand, the phrase does seem to be used most often about women. But it also shows up in political coverage where it has absolutely no gender implications. So on the whole, I'd say it's pretty pointless to read too much into Obama's remarks.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/30/2008.iowa/index.html

December 31, 2007
Candidates show claws as Iowa caucuses loom

Former Sen. John Edwards dismissed plans of fellow Democrats as "fantasy" while Republican contender Mike Huckabee blasted his leading rival, Mitt Romney, as "dishonest" Sunday.


http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/12/31/political_claws_come_out_in_iowa/3266/

Political claws come out in Iowa
Published: Dec. 31, 2007

Political invective ratcheted up Monday among Republican presidential nomination contenders in the run-up to Thursday's first-in-the-nation caucus in Iowa.

[southern_dem]

74. wait, so my male cat doesn't have claws?

I'm so confused here.

[maximusveritas]

75. No, people here need to quit being so PC

I hate using that word (PC), but it's appropriate in this context.

[jefferson_dem]

77. No.

You're imagining shit again.

[Laurab]

78. Is this thread really on the greatest page? nt

[LostinVA]

79. Ask yourself this: would you EVER hear a man say that about another man?

Of course not... unless that man was referring to two gay men arguing, which would be homophobic AND sexist.

Not everything Obama says about Clinton is sexist, but this sure as hell is.

[debatepro]

82. Yes I have...

[LostinVA]

No, you haven't

UNLESS the men in question were saying the other men were acting like catty women. This is not a term applied to men. Men aren't "catty."

[LostinVA]

98. No, you haven't

[Dr Fate]

81. But it does explain why he wouldnt shake her hand.

Claws- get it? ;)

[Drunken Irishman]

83. No, it's a catist statement.

Obama hates cats!

[debatepro]

84. Obama: Clinton 'Knives' Came Out After Iowa

He doesn't mean it to be sexist... he is just saying that they stepped up their attacks...
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/01/obama-clinton-k.html

Obama said "the Clinton's couldn't say enough nice things" when he was down in the polls.

Laughing, he continued, "Suddenly, you win Iowa and boy, the knives come out."

[JackORoses]

85. lions, tigers, and bears have claws as well...cougars too

[Dr Fate]

87. LOL!

good one.

[Danger Mouse]

86. Oh for fuck's sake.

:eyes:
let's just analyze and overanalyze every fucking thing he says.

[NashVegas]

88. Hell No, This Is Simply a Gender-Based Attack

Totally different!

[bhikkhu]

89. that's a ridiculous stretch

When lions and tigers and domestic cats play-fight, their claws remain sheathed. When the fight becomes "real", the claws come out.

Claw function and practice is gender-neutral in the cat world.

[LostinVA]

104. Yup, cats=catty=sexist

[MrSlayer]

90. No.

This is just stupid.

[Norwood]

91. Of course, don't you know that any criticism of Hillary is sexist!

[JKaiser]

92. I just don't understand

How come Obama doesn't get into trouble for his remarks.. but they can make it so hillary looks like a racist... I guess nobody thinks sexist remarks are a big deal. IT really makes me upset..

[McCamy Taylor]

93. Yes, it is sexist, but no the MSM will not talk about how he interject gender into the race.

Because the MSM had a great big Hard On for Obama right now, since he is the APP--Any Penis for President candidate that they are counting to beat Hillary, the collective American male psyche having such a terror of a woman in power.

[krkaufman]

94. "the claws come out" is its own common phrase, disctinct from "cat fight"

[Beacool]

95. I hope she claws his eyes out!!!!

If she's a feline, then she's a formidable tiger. He? Just a run of the mill tom cat.

[my3boyz]

97. Many Hillary supporters on this board are

sick. You try to paint every word that comes out of his mouth as sexist. I refuse to believe that the majority of democrats that support Hillary are as petty and hateful as the people on this board.

[LostinVA]

105. We aren't sick, we're just sick of institutionalized sexism

On DU, IRL, in campaigns, in the business world, in advertising, etc.

Just like we're sick of institutionalized racism, and homophobia, and ageism, and classism.Senator Obama's remark is a textbook example of institutionalized sexist language, and trying to spin it doesn't change that. Even people in this thread trying to spin it STILL always wind up using tigers, lions, etc. There's a reason for this, because women are catty.

[MethuenProgressive]

101. Pointing out that Obama used a sexist slur is very racist of you.

Just thought I'd add that in case the Obamas haven't gotten thier "attack this thread" emails yet...

[Independent-Voter]

103. And some folks wonder why people think that Dems are pussies!

Jesus people, some of you are fucking hysterical.

[Heywood J]

106. Seconded.

Get back to the fucking issues.

[in_cog_ni_to]

108. One more bash to add to his list. Mr. Come together and sing Kumbaya...is OFF KEY. Bash, bash, bash

and Hillary is still taking the high road. His sexist bashes will NOT sit well with women. I promise you. Let him have at it. The more female vote, the better.:)

[cooolandrew]

109. This is really reaching here claws apply to animals fighting and this has been pretty vicious fight.

People find offence in anything if they try hard enough.

[Colobo]

117. Sexist? For God's sakes, you guys are looking for ways to get offended.

[robbedvoter]

118. Witch+ hope+change= claws. Quite simple, silly!

[dchill]

119. In species with claws...

don't the males have them, too?

[realFedUp]

121. hoping she'd become a pussycat or lioness?

definitely an animal reference. Such a gentleman.

[kdpeters]

122. "Claws come out" similar to "no more Mr. Nice Guy"

It doesn't refer to a cat-fight or any specific gender-based reference. It refers something pleasant and enjoyable suddenly becoming painful -- like petting a kitten seems soft and cuddly until the claws come out. That's where it comes from. That's exactly how he used it. Did you know that kittens can also be male? It's not sexist remark. You're reading too much into it.

[Itchinjim]

124. I don't know, but who gives a shit except you loons in GD Primaries?

Get a frickin life people.