The issue remained relatively undiscussed until it peeped out from beneath a rose-colored blazer in July on C-SPAN2: Yes, Sen. Hillary Clinton has cleavage, and no, it does not get in the way of her policymaking.
As the 2008 presidential race continues, gender has come to the forefront and has made some in the political field wonder if sexism really exists in politics.
“There’s obviously still an old-boy’s club in politics when you look at percentages,” said Matt Myer, co-chair for the Boston chapter of the National Organization for Men Against Sexism. “It’s pretty obvious that sexism still plays a part. For [Clinton] to call it out is important.”
While less than 20 percent of Congress is female, Myer said gender discrimination rather than legitimate campaign victories causes this inequality.
“In politics in general and the presidency, there’s a lot of rules and images that are traditionally what we think of masculine — strength, aggression, a protector,” he said.
Boston University for Hillary President Alissa Bachner said Clinton has to deal with competing in what Clinton herself has referred to as the “all boys’ club of presidential politics.”
“Politics is a boys club and she’s trying to change it,” Bachner said.
When Clinton called attention to being the only female presidential candidate at Wellesley College last November, critics slammed her for playing the “gender card.”
“So let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work together,” Clinton said to the all-girls audience. “We’re ready to shatter that highest glass ceiling.”
Whether the glass ceiling is holding Clinton back from the Democratic nomination is up for debate, said Diane Balser, a BU women’s studies professor and undecided voter.
“A glass ceiling keeps all women down, not just one woman,” she said. “The oppression against women is harsh. People have pushed Hillary Clinton on race but who’s pushed Barack Obama on sexism? I don’t think one man has been held on account of issues of gender.”
Clinton is chastised not only because of her gender but due to her frontrunner status, Balser said. “There’s a level of anger beyond who she is and her policies,” she said.
BU for Barack Obama President Steph Gottsch agreed the criticism Clinton has received is due to her position as a frontrunner and not because she is a woman.
“There’s pettiness in politics,” he said.
Others suggest the “pettiness” has extended beyond the political pundits. As well as scrutinizing her performance, commentators have judged her clothes and policy in a Fox-News-meets-Joan-Rivers roast. Although John Edwards’ $400 haircut drew temporary attention, Clinton’s hairstyles have been a topic of discussion since her role as first lady.
“Women are more likely to be commented on about their appearance,” said Membership for the National Organization for Women Vice President Latifa Lyles. “It’s about her cleavage, voice, [the question of] ‘Is she strong enough?’ These aren’t the same type of dialogue you hear about male candidates.”
“She is physically scrutinized-what she’s wearing, her hairstyle,” said Carrie Chiusano, President of BU’s Every Person Counts in an e-mail interview. “No one really notices or cares what the male candidates wear.”
All those interviewed who support Clinton said they were planning to vote for her because of her qualifications rather than gender.
“Everyone should vote for the candidate that they think is best for the job by looking at their qualifications and future plans,” Chiusano said. “We want the best possible person for the job — and that is not a decision to be based on gender.”
