Yes, Clinton's female and Obama's black. So what?

There's been an understandable focus on bias in this year's race for the Democratic presidential nomination, with the two remaining contenders vying to become either the first woman or the first African American to head a major-party ticket for the White House.

Many who back Barack Obama are still angry at what they saw as former President Bill Clinton's efforts to minimize Obama's victory in the South Carolina primary by comparing the Illinois senator with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who twice won the same primary (in 1984 and 1988) but never was considered a front-runner.

At the same time, supporters of Hillary Clinton have taken umbrage at reports and comments that focus on the New York senator's hairstyle and clothing — in their view implying that because she is a woman, she should not be taken seriously as a potential president.

Those issues were addressed head-on ...

... on "Fox News Sunday" by Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who is supporting Obama, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who is backing Clinton.

"We have two extremely, extraordinarily qualified candidates, and either one of them will make history as the first African American president or the first woman president of the United States. And both of them have faced discrimination in the course of their personal and political lives," Durbin told host Chris Wallace.

"In terms of whether Sen. Clinton has faced some bias because she's a woman, of course she has. All of us who have worked hard to bring women into politics — and Dianne knows this personally — know the struggle that they faced even with other women in convincing people of their fitness.

"But secondly, understand that African Americans have also faced many, many burdens and obstacles, and Barack Obama has been facing that during the course of this campaign. Some of the rumors — and I know Dianne is well aware of them, we've talked about them on the Senate floor — about Sen. Obama are vicious and negative and totally false. And they are abounding across the Internet. Many of them leak into some of these reports and the like, these blogs, and even journalism that should be more discerning."

For her part, Feinstein said flat-out that there is gender bias in the Democratic campaign:

"I read a lot of newspapers. I read a lot of columns. I'm amazed at the number that are spent on really picayune things about Sen. Clinton — her hair, her suits," Feinstein said. "And I think some of this just drives toward the insecurity of having a woman running for this office. If anyone is qualified to run for this office, Chris, Sen. Clinton is — eight years in the White House. Sure, it's first lady. I know that.

"You know Hillary. You know her interest in policy. You know her care and concern about people. And most important right now, I think it's the economy and her knowledge of what's happened to the middle class in the last eight years and how you mend that and bring people up into becoming economically upwardly mobile.

"That's what we should be talking about, instead of — I read a lot of stuff which is really irrelevant to the kind of president she will be, and I think some of it is driven by the fact that it's easy to hit at a woman."

Clinton herself addressed the gender issue during a campaign appearance in Akron, Ohio, on Sunday afternoon, highlighting the support she has received from (male) generals, including retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander.

"I know we've never hired a woman for this job before, and I know for some people that's still a question mark," she said, wrapping up her stump speech in a packed gymnasium at Garfield High School. But, she continued, "why would [the generals] be supporting me unless they had concluded that I was the best person for the job?"

— Leslie Hoffecker

Comments

[smokey]

Skin tone doesn't matter until the right begins the attacks. Then.....how dare those racist bigots.

I'm also suspicious that race matters to the 90% of Africian-Americans that vote for Obama and not Hillary.

Of course that's not racism, it's "racial solidarity".

So what?

[Maria]

I have been particularly disappointed in the media handling of Hillary Clinton's candidacy. It seems that from Iowa going forward the primary question of the media has been, "Is she dead yet"? Is this the best the media can do? Is superficiality all they have to offer us?

[Independent]

For certain minority group Obama's blackness counts more than his policy and performance.

Claiming to have judgment without a shred of evidence. Change we can believe in without knowing what changes are we believing in.

Would like to see how well Obama does without a tele prompters and prepared speech.

Heard him today in Ohio where he said "he is going to open up congressional health care plan to the public with his Health care plan. Haven't someone else been saying that all along. Why today in Ohio?

[sara]

In regards to who is upset about Bill Clinton's behavior in South Carolina, it's not just blacks, many individuals I have spoken with and read about in interviews were not people of color who took great umbrage at his comments. To here those things come out of Bill Clinton's mouth were incredibly disturbing.

[Amjad Wyne]

Well laid out but that is not where the issue is. If both were white females or both were black males, we will not be discussing black or female issue at this stage. The issue will arise when either one of them is confronted by a male who is also white. So can we say that black or female would not matter at that time or that public will close its eyes when only one side is faced with that issue/challenge? One has to be living on a different planet to think that color or gender does not matter in America these days especially when the office of the president looks as male and as white as it could possibly be.

[wolf]

Actually, Obama started saying it in January. Hillary copied him a few weeks after. The same went for the work-for-tuition program, which he came up with. She (and others) modified their comments to embrace the concepts of 'hope' or 'change'. She even copied the 'Solutions for America' from Newt Gingrich's "American Solutions" idea.

She watches to see, what others do, then she copies it. That's why she's had so many conflicting messages in such a short time.

As far as the racism-gender bias, Hillary's campaign is pushing the concept of the first "woman president". They say so in their commercial. Ask an Obama supporter; They don't talk about race and even discourage it.

[John O'Brien]

As an independent voter I am sickened by the sexism and bias that has been displayed by our media gurus. Have we not been shamed enough as a country by Bush and the republican administration. Now we are publically showing our disdain for strong women that want to make a difference in this world and you refer to her as shrill and negative. How about courageous and diligent. She has my vote.

[Conn]

"That's what we should be talking about, instead of — I read a lot of stuff which is really irrelevant to the kind of president she will be, and I think some of it is driven by the fact that it's easy to hit at a woman."

BS. Many of us actually prefer the discussion of the issues...but HRC sets herself up when she stoops to negative attacks. To try to take the position that it is easy to hit her as a woman because of this actually sets women back.

[David]

So I thought this was going to be an interesting article that makes the point of how race and gender should not matter in this election but instead it was just a Hillary Clinton endorsement ad. I am so sick of hearing that people say she is so strong and diligent and that is why I am voting for her...and McCain who suffered as a POW isn't? Obama who fought up through the ranks of a racist society to become a front runner isn't? Even Huckabee has his strengths. To make that the reason to vote for the next President is ridiculous. Didn't we learn from re electing Bush about the cons of using flimsy reasons to elect Presidents?

[D.M.]

Oprah should run and take away both their advantages.

[Judith in NYC]

To smokey--Please don't point fingers at what you mockingly call "racial solidarity", women like me have been labeled gender traitors because we don't support HRC,. None of my fellow people of color have tried to persuade or guilt trip me into voting for Obama. (People of color is not used to avoid using black, it's just that we come in all shades from black to white and the beautiful cafe con leche.)

[Lisa White]

I think America would rather choose a white woman no matter how low she has to go to win this election/nomination.. Obama has run a clean campaign and their is no doubt that he represents someone who is honest, talks from his heart and knows what he is doing mainly positive agendas for America. He is someone who will make sure America is first. Hopefully Americans will see through the goodness, he is for real .

[Nyte]

This might be very hard for some people to understand, but the argument against Hillary isn't about her being a strong woman. I personally have nothing against strong women, as my future wife is a very strong woman.

I do have something against Hillary though, mostly because of how she attempts to strong arm people into doing what she wants. You can show strength without twisting arms. She represents what was worst about the Clinton era. I am also sick an tired of hearing how she is a woman, and because of her gender we should vote for her.

Her gender plays little role in policy decisions. If she has a good idea, and she has some, it is how she represents that idea. In my opinion, she does a poor job of positioning her ideas, and because of that she strikes out at those that do not agree with her. She belittles the competition instead of selling herself, just as she belittles those that do not agree with her.

This to me is not a sign of leadership or cooperation, it is a sign of weakness and stubbornest. It is also a sign of a person that is not comfortable with who they are.

There are other women who are just as qualified or better qualified currently running some states as governors. These are the best examples of strong, independent female leaders. This year Hillary isn't the best candidate. It is a shame that for all her qualifications, she does not possess the one quality we need right now, the ability to motivate and unify.

[stella]

let's face it, this race proved to us how sexist this country actually is. no matter how smart a woman is and how qualified to get the job, she wil never get hired for the job. a younger guy, with more charisma, and a lot less inteligence and qualifications, will get the job and the support. I think us women, we might as well forget about going to school, struggle to succeed and get ahead, we will just never get the top job.
yes this campaign has been very gender biased. just look how critical the media (and most of the people in the media are men) has been towards Hillary. It makes me sick to my stomach as a woman to realize that no matter how much I study and try to push myself towards success, it doesn't matter, a man will get my job. we have come along way, but there is still a big barrier to get to the top: men.

[Greg]

There has certainly been bias, against white men.

[JasonM]

Hilary has my vote even though the media has discounted her from the beginning.

The US media has shown their continued bias. This really has been out of control!

[james]

If we're going to discuss bias, why not include all the negative comments about McCain's age? Ageism, racism, or sexism: pick your prejudice.

[PaulFdot]

Hello. We are talking about the the most powerful position in the greastest nation in the world. It does not matter what race, greed or religion of this person. It does matter what they can bring to the world and the county. Really folks, none of the "forerunners" as
dictacted by others, offer anything new. More of the same. Are we happy with the same? Dr. Ron Paul, if you will examine his principles, is the only logical choice. Medical insight and experiance, economic background and a strick understanding and adhersion to the Constitution. Now that Ombama is talking about pulling our troops out in 90 days, really what is the differance in Pauls "crazy" ideas" about ending the policing of the world. He's right. We can no longer afford it. War forever McCain? Please consider and read www.ronpaul2008.com. Thanks.

[matt]

I am in Texas and the support for Hillary is amazing!

[Marks]

Media is harder on Hillary in what way? Statements made about her clothes? She should ignore those descriptions.

Her " I don't know how I'm doing it" whine and tears in New Hampshire! Over the top!

Women shouldn't be criticized for emotions. When its feelings about something horrible, tears should flow then.

Tearing up because its "hard"! What's hard in comparison to some other's lives? Some people do have a really hard daily life.

Hillary maybe tired and feeling pressure about the campaign, it was her choice to do this.

Crying because its been "hard", this campaign she should feel pleasure all the time. Look where she is and appreciate so many working on her behalf.

They take a picture of Hillary with her eyes wide and mouth open, a frown on her face. For a guy it doesn't matter. For the lady, it's not the time for her picture to be taken, but they do.

I saw a history of Hillary on the news, forgot how many hairstyles she's been through over the decades. How many she's going through in this campaign.

Some women get upset if guys don't recognize they have a new hair style. I've never looked at Hillary and thought for a minute about her hair.

Hillary, the politician, is the only view I've ever known of her! Her words is how I describe her. Her causes define her.

Anyone who question's Hillary's clothes or that's a bad picture of her, their being catty and meaningless.

Media can be catty and meaningless. They do it often, taking odd pictures of people, to sell a headline. To sell a paper or magazine. To run on TV and ridicule.

Worst dressed lists, some people actually read and care about.

When Hillary complains about all this in the Media, she's been too long in front of camera's saying that. People are listening to what she's says.

Isn't it, ladies go first, that's why she got the first question at debates. It's her fault not answering properly. Her complaint is Obama has a longer time to react, to what she said.

The audience never cared who went first! Hillary some paranoia and distrust about the media.

Her top campaign staff are women and they banter about this women bias in the media all the time!

--

Obama issues with the media. His name is being made fun of with implied fear and distrust of muslims reasons.

Ann Coulter, the Conservative screech, she labels him, as B. Hussein Obama.

She's inferring he's likely to "B. Saddam Hussein Obama"

The outright racism, of course. Some people won't vote for black or woman candidate. They are stupid voters!

It's time to get beyond negatively judging people that way.

Is he black enough conversation, stupid to talk about, even if black writers brought it up.

Obama doesn't have to fit the description of others! If he's happy in his own skin, let him be!

Let's just marvel at the place where Obama started, to how far he's gotten in a relatively short time.

He will be older than Bill Clinton was as President, so he's not too young. He never had to wait either.

Bill and Hillary complaining, he should have waited, they are feeling a lot of pressure believing that.

[Indian guy]

I like the article and the premise. I think the basic point here is that it's basically a draw in terms of how much discrimination comes by an African American and a woman. I do think that Hillary gets a lot of negative attention and people almost revel in speaking negatively about her, but she gets a lot of benefits as well... If you notice, she's always mentioning how great it would be for a woman to be in the white house, and she gets a lot out of that, but Obama doesn't try to draw attention to race, although he's dominating African Americans anyways... For those who think he has race-bated, I think it's just the opposite, and his not going to the State of the Black Union in New Orleans last week should speak to that, despite some criticism, he's not pandering to African Americans.

I've read stuff that says it's harder for women in society, and I think it's mixed. If you look around the world, there have been some women leaders, like Margaret Thatcher, Benazir Butto, Indira Gandhi to name a few, but how often do you see someone from a minority named to the top spot? Think about it.

In Hillary's case, I think she's definitely a trailblazer, and I think we should be very proud of the barriers that are being broken. Personally, I just prefer Obama is because of her baggage from the Clinton years and I think he's just better at bringing people together and more inspiring... as well as her stance on the war.

Personally, I think the press has tiptoed around both candidates because of the sensitivity here. There are a lot of things they could write about with either of them, and Hillary is not only better known by far, but was running as the inevitable candidate, and that helped and hurt her. But otherwise, what are the press supposed to say - she's been more negative in her campaign, she's lost 11 in a row, and Obama's legitimately inspiring people around the country. They have to write what they think, and calling out the press is a way to call attention away from the facts and that her campaign was poorly run... And saying she sometimes comes off cold and that he's more eloquent, some of that stuff is just true, has nothing to do with her sex or his race or vice versa.

[Jerry Tsai]

it would be great if we simply elect the best candidate. A lot of people say Clinton has more experience. They are misinformed by her, but the media seems to buy it, and Senator Obama has graciously not challenged it. But we all know just how inexperienced Clinton is. Does anybody really buy that being married to a person makes a person more qualified in that person's profession? With that logic, I don't need to go to medical school, because my wife happens to be a doctor.

For the record, Senator Obama has won four elections, and has been answering to voters for 11 years. Senator Clinton has won two elections, and has been answering to voters for 7 years. While in the Senate, Senator Obama has been much more productive than Senator Clinton in passing important legislation.

He passed an ethics bill with Reid and Feingold. He passed a transparency in federal spending bill with Coburn. He passed a curtailment of nuclear proliferation bill with Lugar. She has passed nothing of substance. That's right-- 7 years of nothing important.

You know why you haven't heard this? It's because Senator Obama runs a positive campaign. He touts his credential and qualifications, and a message that we Americans need to take ownership of our problems. He reasoned that if Clinton were the nominee that he would prefer not to give any ammunition to the GOP. Clinton has not returned the favor, smearing him and his reputation whenever she gets the chance.

After learning about all the corporate donations Clinton has taken, her willingness to attack negatively and often, her breaking of a public pledge to the DNC and the early voting states of IA, NH, NV, and SC, it is no wonder an educated voter seeks the better choice. It's not Clinton's experience we want in office, it's Barack Obama, because he has good judgment and because he has integrity. For all the noise from the Clinton campaign, we have seen no evidence, across all the years, that Clinton has either integrity or judgment. We need those qualities in a President. Vote Senator Barack Obama.

[RitaTorres]

The media have undoubtedly shown some sexist bias againt Hilary Clinton. But there has been a lot racial bias against Obama that is being easily subsumed.

The reasons cited by the pro-Clinton White feminists referred to in this article shows just how a combination of misrepresentation, insensitivity, and ignorance is deployed to perpetuate the marginalization of Blacks and other minority groups.

A lot of double standards are being brought into this matter. Since when has the presidency been about the "most qualified"?

Let us hear the definition of relative qualification for president and how Hilary Clinton should be voted because of this. My guess is that advocates of this view would have a hard time proving that Hilary is more qualified than Joe Biden, Chirs Dodd, and a host of others.

Besides, the whole experience or qualification argument will expire if and as soon as Hilary becomes nominee, up against McCain. What argument would the pro-Hilary White feminists come up with? That Hilary is more qualified to be president than McCain, based on experience, or abandon the experience argument? The truth is that it is American people who choose by voting who is more qualified. That is how JFK beat Nixon; that is how Reagan beat Carter; that is how Bill Clinton of Arkansas beat perhaps the best 'resumed" presidential candidate ever, i.e. George H. Bush.

Yet, people feel free to bring in the myth of qualification in favor of Hilary Clinton. The truth is that a lot of this qualification advocacy is tied to race and gender. That is why the proponents can argue that Hilary is more qualified than Obama
and did not advocate for Biden or Dodd being more qualified than Hilary. And, in truth, Obama's qualifications are being question largely because he is Black. How many people question John Edward's qualification to be president when he staged his first run in 2004? Was he more qualified than Obama is? Of course, not even close.

The pro-Clinton feminists cited in the article sound as if they are advocating for all women, whereas they are merely advocating for White women.

The subtext of the baseless assertion that Black men have been more privileged than White women is that this nomination is a competition between White women and Black men.

The idea that White women have "a tougher time" in "public and private spheres alike" than Black men is flat out false. It may be true for Asian, Latino, Native, and Black women, but anyone seeking to apply the assertion to White women must be delusional or are out to misrepresent the reality.

African American men got the right to vote before women, but has that translated to greater access to public office?

The answer, of course, is a resounding "No". Whereas the very diligent will be able to compile the list of all White women who have held state-wide offices across the nation, in the entire history of the U.S., there has been only four Black Senators (only three of them men) and only two governors.

It is only this kind of mental block in noticing minority oppression that makes it possible for so many people to believe that the media have treated Obama better than Clinton. By the way, I was flipping through the networks today (Sunday, March 2nd), and there is nothing of the sort. I would go to CNN and I would see Hilary, I switch to Fox it is either questioning why people cannot call Obama Hussein or his bona fides; I return to CNN, it is Chelsea Clinton on the stump and when a commercial comes and I flip back to Fox they would be talking about Obama's connection with Rezko; back to CNN and it is Bill Clinton, etc. Now, that looks like a pro-Obama press.

And when you think of it, if Obama has been the one that withholds his tax returns, wouldn't be all over the news and could he have survived it? Can he survive withholding eight years worth of documents as the spouse of a president, when that experience is supposed to form the main thrust of his claim to being more experienced? Can he survive declaring that electing a Black man would be "a sea change" as Hilary argued for women? Can he survive building his campaign around explicit appeal to ethnic, racial, and gender identities as Hilary has done?

The fact is that Hilary is by far the net beneficiary of media favor, but the fact that Obama cannot even get away by challenging this myth speaks volumes about the system. What the argument that Hilary is more qualified but being passed over--that sense of entitlement--demonstrates is the privilege White people have, which is not available to Blacks.

Yet, the system is inherently generous and even altruiststic. That is why people of all races are voting overwhelmingly for a Black guy whose name is Barack Hussien Obama.

[Gregory Lee]

'Tis the most blatantly falsehood of life you So Called Americans live in America. -- All of you who are actively contesting for the ownership of this land of the GREAT are IMMIGRANTS !

Look in the mirror and say aloud " You Are Immigrant !". - That's who you are. - Hey you've been here for few hundred years at most and that doesn't king make my friends ! -- Of course except for those poor natives kicked sideways ever since .

Can you believe this most callous and bizarre behaviour ? -- All of them are immigrants and yet they show never ending love affairs at catfight prejudice at each other calling the other of lesser of immigrant . - A prime example of human malenolence. I guess some pigs are more equal than others huh ? Specially in this land of the braves. -- I'd expect that in far east of europe.. -- You know where...they just had an election. - A jigged one to boot I hear...

AS for women leaders of the hystory has it that , in few rare instances , as llong as Queen is able to surround herself with right crowd for support the country will fare well. -- It will work so long as She exercises the negotiations from female point of view and let the battles be drawn by the qualified guards men. --That same presumption works for a king in a lot of instances however that's a different story.
But indeed it has been extremely rocky hill for females to be in charge so that is not new.

What's new is that the media keeps banging it in . -- Headlines a new daily. Repeat of yeterday's today. -- Name callings abound . -- For some odd reason I find it so confounding. -- It has to double clarify such differentiating head lines by saying that " WOMAN president to be" or that of " BLACK president to be" day after day, day after day, day after day.... Get the idea ?. They would've never pulled that stunt if it were for all white contenders as in yesteryears. Tsk Tsk !

Is media is run by back room moguls in heavy white gowns with clear intolerance for different color and gender ? Are they really very much racially motivated and dying to shows its dirty fangs every time they breath out? -- I certainly hope not. -- It gets very boring to watch non stop opera of old " Who's Coming For Dinner " again and again and again......

These same Media moguls are apparently tickled to death commemorating their lack of language skill or simply forgetten how to be civil themselves. --Don't they not realize they are the prime example of society they represent..-. They are denigrating their own proud land. -- Goodness gracious !.... - Keep on slandering raical issue every time they have to mention the merits of each of contenders .-- I'm getting sick of it . -- I am an eager beaver news consumer through this time around for the fact that I am so very much interested in how this US elections gonna make out. -- Hoping to see the glimpes of some sort of inteligence and humble force combined to reinvigorate America as land of fairness and prosperity after spin doctor's disastrous last 8 years on top of previous totally inadequate reign of senior of same family . -- Get out of your fish bowl America and look around !! This kind of daily race callings doesn't happen in other nations founded by immigrants like yours. -- Get rid of that chip off your shoulder.
-- But I believe word humble is not to be included in American dictionary again as ever. -- So go figure !

[JT]

Quite frankly, at least in my opinion, being of a colored race has always been more of a disadvantage then being of the female gender, especially in politics. However, people should not be complaining about the bias for either one in this election. Although right now the media may be critical of Hilary, when things were just getting started Obama was plastered with smear after smear such as hes being a secret Muslim who wants to destroy America, or how he didn't have a chance because of his race, etc, which continue to grow even now. And even though some people are being more critical of Hilary now, I believe the reason is more because of her ideas and tactics (which I might add many people including myself have disagreed with since her days as the first lady), rather then her gender. And another thing people who say that everyone is dividing along the gender lines, like is so popular these days, should remember that many black men AND women vote for Obama the same way many white women AND men vote for Hilary.