Why The “Sexism” Argument Against Newt Gingrich Is Ridiculous

1:23 pm, December 16th | by Amy Tennery

Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann got into a row last evening during the Iowa Republican debate. Today, the pundits are tripping over each other to see who can cry “sexism!” first. What happened?

Here are the facts: Last night during the debate the two candidates got into a heated argument over abortion. The first candidate accused the other of having an inconsistent track record on the issue. The other, the target of this accusation, smirked and feigned disbelief, before firing back.

In all, it was par for the course, as far as political debates go. But why is everyone so outraged today? Because one of the candidates in that verbal spar was a woman. And now everyone wants to cry sexism — and that’s total B.S.

Here’s the clip everyone’s getting worked up over:

Did I miss something? Where was the part where Gingrich was treating Bachmann differently because she’s a woman?

This morning Joe Scarborough called Gingrich “condescending” for his remarks. Scarborough’s guest, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele concurred, and praised Bachmann for her composure, adding that “the only thing I could write was, ‘you go girl.’” (Which, seriously, are you kidding me?)

Jennifer Rubin over at The Washington Post argued that “[GIngrich] comes across to women as arrogant and condescending.” The Atlantic cried outrage, noting that Gingrich “couldn’t help but let Michele Bachmann know that he thinks she’s dumb.”

Well, yea, of course he did. That’s what candidates do during debates. They try to undermine one another. They try to make each other look stupid. When they think someone has her (or his!) facts wrong, they call them out. They make faces, they mock, they provoke. They’re jerks to each other. All the time. This had nothing to do with Bachmann being a woman. She’s powerful and she’s playing to win. Good for her. And Gingrich treated her like a threat — the same way he’d treat any other candidate. She is not some delicate flower. She does not need coddling. To imply otherwise is insulting.

And can anyone reasonably claim that the Gingrich-Bachmann flareup was that different from this kerfuffle between Mitt Romney and Rick Perry in October?

If anything, Gingrich was more civil (and he didn’t put his hand on her, which tips the scales of condescension).

Is smirking during a debate, while your opponent speaks, childish? I’d say so. And other candidates have attracted negative press for doing that. But just because Gingrich made a silly face (and dared to claim Bachmann may have her facts wrong) doesn’t mean he’s a sexist.

TAGS: gingrich bachmann debate fight | gingrich sexist debate | michele bachmann | newt gingrich | newt gingrich michele bachmann

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VK7U6RFTAUIPW2JR2NGPBP2IYA super

well this was a total surprise….and i mean it 100%. I would have actually bet money an article here would have went in the opposite direction on this subject.
Anonymous

If combat means living in a ditch, females have biological problems staying in a ditch for thirty days because they get infections and they don’t have upper body strength. I mean, some do, but they’re relatively rare. On the other hand, men are basically little piglets, you drop them in the ditch, they roll around in it, doesn’t matter, you know. These things are very real. On the other hand, if combat means being on an Aegis-class cruiser managing the computer controls for twelve ships and their rockets, a female may be again dramatically better than a male who gets very, very frustrated sitting in a chair all the time because males are biologically driven to go out and hunt giraffes.
Anonymous

Both are excellent arguments for abortion. Even retro-abortion.
Anonymous

equal means equal
Anonymous

Uh, how exactly are the different kinds of combat relevant to this article again?
Anonymous

Another rambling statement from someone using medical or non medical marijuana.
Anonymous

It’s fun to watch Bachman continue in this contest. She is doing 2 great things.

1. Gathering alot of money.
2. Helping to reduce the Republican chance at the Presidency. And helping Obama.
Anonymous

Why would you say that?
Anonymous

Of course the sexism argument against Newt Gingrich is ridiculous. Newt obviously loves women.
ZenPoseur

It’s hard not to suspect that the fix is in, here. The sudden concern about tone (from people who don’t give a damn about tone) only makes sense in the context of a nonviable general election candidate (Gingrich) who’s getting uncomfortably popular in the primary.
ComelyConservative

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer wondered the same thing too, and at the process asked News host Brooke Baldwin if she saw what he saw. Her response? She said no.

I agree; it wasn’t sexism. Is not like he questioned her intention of running, or behaviorally treats her different than anyone else. She’s been on attack mode for nearly a month or so, but for political reasons. And I’m sure she understands her role as a woman running for one of the prestgious positions in our country impact the way she frames her words, but overall, she wants others to treat her no different than other men running as well. Yeah sure she has everything throwing at her(events or not), but most of it is self-induced(vaccines causing retardation). But overall, is nothing more than a disputed argument and nothing else.
Anonymous

heeeee.
Anonymous

Even when he’s married it doesn’t stop him from ‘loving’ other women.
Anonymous

@ZenPoseur:disqus
Carl N

Does Bachman have an agenda? Check out this video. http://newtgingrich360.com/video/michele-bachmann-loves-newt-gingrich?xg_source=activity
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_OB2GCMNM2KP5FWMVQVLVRIHYTI THE BUILDER

JUST LISTENING TO THIS EXCHANGE BETWEEN NEWT AND WHATS HER FACE, I REALLY FEEL THAT SHE IS BECOMING , IF NOT BECOME A FLAMING TORCH, AS AN EXAMPLE OF BEING INTO SELF IMMOLATION FOR WHAT SHE THINKS ARE THE MEN IN BLACK WHO ARE TRYING TO CHANGE HER WORLD. TO ME SHE IS JUST ANOTHER BIMBO WHO HAS ESCAPED FROM HER KITCHEN DUTIES, AND THINKS THAT THE CRY OF SEXISM , LIKE MANY HAVE USEDTHE WORD RACISM {READ THAT HERMAN}? WILL MAKE PEOPLE LOCK THEMSELVES IN THEIR TOILETS UNTIL ALL THIS BS GOES AWAY. SHE DEFINETLY HAS A DIRE NEED FOR “SUPER DEPENDS”
http://www.facebook.com/TheStilettoBlog Victoria Knox

Hope you feel this way when Gingrich does the same thing to Obama.
Anonymous

phlpn.es/829r8s
Anonymous

I didn’t think this was the exchange the other night that Joe Scaroborugh was referring to and I also thought the way Newt responded was rather condesending. In fact, the monitor the other night was Brett not Wallace.
Anonymous

phlpn.es/829r8s
LL

Females “get infections” ? What the hell does that mean?
Anonymous

Menstruation.

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