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And What Does Chelsea Think?
February 08, 2008 5:12 PM
Despite an active role in her mother's campaign and glowing descriptions from all who know her, Chelsea Clinton, 27, doesn't talk to the press on the record, so I have no idea what she makes of the controversy of the MSNBC anchor referring to the Clinton campaign as having "pimped her out" -- and the Clinton campaign threatening to boycott NBC debates as a result.
But there is reason to think that Chelsea is attuned to feminist criticisms of some of the media coverage of her mother.
Especially that incident before the day before the New Hampshire primary when a couple of college-age misfits stood up at a town hall in Salem and yelled at Clinton to "Iron my shirts!"
In 1970, feminist Robin Morgan wrote a famous essay called "Goodbye to All That," which took on sexism within the culture -- and pointedly within liberal circles. "Goodbye, goodbye forever, counterfeit Left, counterleft, male-dominated cracked-glass mirror reflection of the Amerikan Nightmare," she wrote. "Women are the real Left."
A few days ago, Morgan wrote a follow-up to that essay, entitled "Goodbye to All That (#2)."
"During my decades in civil-rights, anti-war, and contemporary women’s movements, I’ve avoided writing another specific 'Goodbye...'" Morgan writes. "But not since the suffrage struggle have two communities—joint conscience-keepers of this country—been so set in competition, as the contest between Hillary Rodham Clinton (HRC) and Barack Obama (BO) unfurls. So.
"Goodbye to the double standard . . .
"—Hillary is too ballsy but too womanly, a Snow Maiden who’s emotional, and so much a politician as to be unfit for politics.
" —She’s 'ambitious' but he shows 'fire in the belly.' (Ever had labor pains?)—When a sexist idiot screamed 'Iron my shirt!' at HRC, it was considered amusing; if a racist idiot shouted 'Shine my shoes!' at BO, it would’ve inspired hours of airtime and pages of newsprint analyzing our national dishonor."
It goes on from there -- with various cracks at Carl Bernstein, Southpark, Chris Matthews, Obamagirl, and of course Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, himself.
You can read it HERE.
Morgan's essay has been e-mailed around by one of Chelsea's fiends, Nicole Davison, as first reported by one of Chelsea's friends Nicole Davison wrote: "A must read...send to every woman you know..."
And though the campaign doesn't comment on Chelsea's personal correspondence, Chelsea forwarded the essay along, too.
Chelsea wrote: "I echo Nickie though would also add to please forward this to all the men you know too--voting in the election tomorrow, voting next week, already voted. I don't agree with all the points Robin Morgan makes but I do believe her thesis is important for us all to confront--I confess that I didn't entirely get 'it' until not only guys stood up and shouted 'iron my shirts' but the media reacted with amusement, not outrage..."
What say you, vox populi?
- jpt
February 8, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (57)
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Just the truth...I know the Clintons don't know how to handle that but...honestly it was just the truth. NEWSFLASH here.
CHELSEA ISN'T A CHILD!!! SHE IS 27 YEARS OLD FOR GODS' SAKE!!! Remember the 9 year old child that Chelsea couldn't field a question from. Now that was pathetic.
If she gonna "play politics" with mommy and daddy she better get thicker skin...and so had mommy and daddy. They ARE USING CHELSEA AS POLITICAL FODDER pure and simple.
All this is is just more drama for the Clintons. They thrive on drama. As for me I don't even like the daytime soaps. All the crap in the campaign they are running is way more than that.
P.S. I am a white female independent voter. You kow the profile...an independent that will make sure she gets defeated in a general election if God forbid she gets the Democratic nomination.
Posted by: It Is The Truth People | Feb 9, 2008 1:48:13 PM
If Shuster had made that statement about Obama pimping Michelle out Shuster would have been fired right then and there, johnny on the spot, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, the NAACP would have his head on a platter today!!
Posted by: Jeanette | Feb 9, 2008 1:20:51 PM
Monica's Parent's are waiting for THEIR APOLOGY from their PRESIDENT who took advantage of their DAUGHTER! Give me a break!
Posted by: Penny | Feb 9, 2008 12:28:56 PM
If some dumb reporter talked about my kids llike that I would would probably punch them in the nose. Hillary should avoid supporting MSNBC for the rest of the primaries. There is definately a anti women bias in the media and in the right wing. Even Obamas supporters are clearly anti women in their comments. I thought we were done with hate politics but between Obamas supporters and Bushes lackies it looks like we're going to have 8 more years of keep women in their place politics.
Posted by: hhkeller | Feb 9, 2008 12:18:56 PM
"I'm sorry, I don't talk to the press and that applies to you, unfortunately. Even though I think you're cute," Chelsea told the 9-year-old journalist.
What a person.
Posted by: tl | Feb 9, 2008 11:25:41 AM
This whole issue is alarming. The Clintons ARE PIMPING OUT THEIR DAUGHTER, plain and simple. She doesn't talk to reporters, but she can call voters to pimp her parents?? What has happened to this country? The Clintons and their cult threaten to create a North Korea out of America.
Posted by: hal | Feb 9, 2008 11:01:57 AM
Robin Morgan's article is so on point -- as a black woman I felt what I call a "black backlash," which included both surprise and contempt, for supporting HRC. And I don't understand. It's not like Obama is rooted in African American civil rights. I know more that the HRC -- not just Bill Clinton -- has done for Civil Rights than Obama. I can understand liberal whites feeling compelled to vote for Obama, many b/c of their hatred of the Clintons and need to atone for a history of racial oppression and discrimination. But I am both black and a woman so I don't feel compelled to vote on either race or gender, but on the issues.
Posted by: Jessica | Feb 9, 2008 5:18:43 AM
Chris Matthews and David Shuster are the real Obama GIRLS!!! Just look at how Chris Matthews drools all over himself when he talks about Obama.
Posted by: SoOverObama | Feb 9, 2008 3:30:56 AM
The 2008 Election: The Perfect Storm of the Media and Clinton Hate.....
Posted by: hopesprings52 | Feb 9, 2008 2:24:33 AM
Staggering Numbers
Keeping in mind that Hillary – in her own "two for the price of one" pronouncement – told the nation that she would be sharing the presidency with her husband, it would beg the imaginations of even her most fervent acolytes that the tsunami of scandals that inundated the Clinton tenure somehow escaped either the notice or personal involvement of Hillary herself.
To see the shocking Scandal Index of the Clinton years, as compiled by the liberal Progressive Review (http://prorev.com) is to appreciate the Clinton's 24/7/365 belief that any progress in their leftist domestic and foreign affairs agenda could only be realized through the most nefarious activity – much of which fit neatly into the criminal category. Under the listing of "Records Set'" by the Clinton administration (read: co-presidency), Progressive Review cites the following, of which I will only list a sampling:
▪ Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates.
▪ Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation.
▪ Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify.
▪ Most number of witnesses to die suddenly.
▪ First president sued for sexual harassment.
▪ First president accused of rape.
▪ First president to be held in contempt of court.
▪ First president to be impeached for personal malfeasance.
▪ First first lady to come under criminal investigation.
▪ Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign-contribution case.
▪ Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions.
▪ Number of Starr-Ray investigation convictions or guilty pleas to date: one governor, one associate attorney general and two Clinton business partners: 14.
▪ Number of Cabinet members who came under criminal investigation: 5.
▪ Number of individuals and businesses associated with the Clinton machine that were convicted of or pleaded guilty to crimes: 47.
▪ Number of these convictions during Clinton's presidency: 33.
▪ Number of indictments/misdemeanor charges: 61.
▪ Number of congressional witnesses who pleaded the Fifth Amendment, fled the country to avoid testifying, or (in the case of foreign witnesses) refused to be interviewed: 122.
▪ Guilty pleas and convictions obtained by Donald Smaltz in cases involving charges of bribery and fraud against former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy and associated individuals and businesses: 15; acquitted or overturned cases (including Espy): 6.
▪ Clinton machine crimes for which convictions were obtained: drug trafficking, 3; racketeering, extortion, bribery, 4; tax evasion, kickbacks, embezzlement, 2; fraud, 12; conspiracy, 5; fraudulent loans, illegal gifts, 1; illegal campaign contributions, 5; money laundering, 6; perjury, et al.
▪ Number of times that Clinton figures who testified in court or before Congress said that they didn't remember, didn't know, or something similar: Bill Kennedy, 116; Harold Ickes, 148; Ricki Seidman, 160; Bruce Lindsey, 161; Bill Burton, 191; Mark Gearan, 221; Mack McLarty, 233; Neil Egglseston, 250; John Podesta, 264; Jennifer O'Connor, 343; Dwight Holton 348; Patsy Thomasson, 420; Jeff Eller, 697; and Hillary Clinton, 250.
Posted by: Asana Bodhitharta | Feb 9, 2008 2:06:29 AM
You've got to be kidding? You want to know how Chelsea feels about being called a whore? She's thrilled I'm sure. Just like she was when ABC came after her on Super Tuesday for serving coffee to poll workers in CT. The media's gone way too far with its Clinton hate. Whatever people think about Hillary, everyone should stand together to tell the media to back off and let Obama win on his own.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | Feb 9, 2008 1:55:31 AM
Hate to be cynical, but to me this looks like the same kind of stunt pulled before several other state caucuses/primaries to garner sympathy for Hillary and hopefully turn it into votes.
Was use of the phrase inappropriate? Sure.
Can we get over it now and get back to the issues?
Posted by: myself | Feb 9, 2008 1:10:44 AM
Congratulations to MSNBC - in Keith Olbermann, Chris Mathews & David Schuster you now have a triad of Bill O'Reilly wannabees at your network. They are no more fair and balanced than "Bill-O" himself. I was (and I do mean was) a loyal fan of MSNBC news but no more. "Keith-O" and his side kick Chris have taken every opportunity to promote Barack Obama while at the same time openly disparage Hillary Clinton at every turn.I have grown weary of them and the entire MSNBC network. Shame on all of you! I admire and respect both Hillary and Barack - it is a shame that your network is incapable of simply covering both candidates - equal time - and fairly. So long, MSNBC...Hello CNN...
Posted by: LB | Feb 9, 2008 12:57:23 AM
I welcome the discussion that this has brought up on the blogs and wish that we could have more of the talk of gender in the nation media. Those who suggest that we would be if we said that when Obama's daughters are on stage that the Obama's are "pimping them out". It is totally inappropriate to talk about girls or women that way.
Constantine, you are naive if you think that women no longer encounter the "iron my shirt" mentality. We still have both race AND gender issues in this country. That is one of the reasons that women still make 71 cents on the dollar compared to men. You said that "nobody under 60 has ever heard or would use that expression as as putdown" and yet they did. And we all knew what they meant.
Women are still characterized as "the B word" if they are competent, no nonsense, assertive people. Many of us still encounter this "iron my shirt" mentality. And we are still OUTRAGED by it. If the gender issue got nearly as much attention as the race issue, maybe we could see even more progress.
Jake Tapper, thanks for bringing this up on your blog and I hope to see you, Charlie Gibson, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopolous talk about it.
Posted by: Kelli Drenner | Feb 8, 2008 10:55:34 PM
Why the Clintons are crying about Chelsea she is almost 30 years old.
Monica Lewinski was 20 years old when she was violated by Mr. Clinton. He did not apologized to her for abusing his power and taking advantage.She also have parents
and still they are waiting an Apology from
the Clintons. Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: maria | Feb 8, 2008 10:18:45 PM
Obama is parasitic, allowing whatever means that comes bye, to help him gain the presidency. He's not sincere: he's far from the holy politician, he claims to be.
Posted by: PC | Feb 8, 2008 10:04:01 PM
I have been completely dismayed by MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann throughout the campaign season. Until now, I've always counted on Chris Matthews for his passion, energy, and love of this country to at least give people a fair shake in a debate or conversation. Sadly, MSNBC has joined the rest of the media who do nothing to broaden global or national perspectives or challenge us to think for ourselves. That said, I am weary of the media bias and equally weary of attacks on the very gracious bright light of the Clinton Family.
Sincerely,
Nancy Dyal
San Francisco
Posted by: Nancy Dyal | Feb 8, 2008 9:43:09 PM
"You can read it HERE."
I read it and thank god for women like Robin Morgan, and my wife.
Robin is voting for hillary not because Hillary is a woman, but because Robin is a woman.
I am voting for hillary because I am a Man, and a smart one at that. No Obama fads for me.
Posted by: John D | Feb 8, 2008 9:36:57 PM
I saw the news cast, and it was not just a wrong choice of words. It was down right malicious.
If Shuster had said the same remark about Michelle Obama, the black community would have unleashed holy hell.
The real truth is MSNBC has sold its soul. It's misogynistic coverage of Clinton and ga ga pandering to Obama is despicable.
MSNBC is nothing more than Obamas attack mouthpiece.
The management and program directors at MSNBC have allowed and promoted an anything goes atmosphere for Hillary bashing.
Matthews, Olbermann and now Shuster. Their biased coverage, Obama spinning, and Hillary bashing have disgusted and sickened me. And to think I had been a big fan of their programs.
Not any more. So long MSNBC. You were my home page and source for news, but these ass clowns have ruined your programming.
They have become everything they professed was wrong with Fake News Lackeys at Fox Noise.
Dan Abrams needs to bail before MSNBC's reputation brings him down.
MSNBC - The New Rush Limbaugh, and WORST NEWS PROGRAM IN THE WOOOORRRRLLLLDDDDDDDDD
Posted by: John D | Feb 8, 2008 9:03:44 PM
Fox News wouldn't have done anything to Dave. NBC etc are babies
Posted by: dude | Feb 8, 2008 9:01:44 PM
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