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President Clinton Acknowledges There Have Been “Moments” of Gender Bias

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May 20, 2008 3:44 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow and Eloise Harper report: Senator Clinton and her husband stopped by a restaurant earlier today in Louisville, KY. President Clinton was mobbed by reporters and at times Senator Clinton was spotted alone wandering around signing a few autographs – while President Clinton answered questions on gender in the race, Michigan and Florida and a joint ticket.

Asked by ABC's Kate Snow if gender had been a factor in this race the president replied saying that there might have been moments.  "I don't think there's any question there have been moments in this campaign when the sort of gender biases and pre-suppositions have come out. But she's done well. She just keeps going on. I think it's really been very interesting to see. I'm very proud of her."  Clinton also said this about sexism in the race "You know when this is all over everybody will go back and unpack it all. You know, I'm not sure anybody knows. But I think that over time, you look at how her vote has steadily risen among men? In these primaries? I think in part because people have become more comfortable with the idea that she could be president." The former president continued to say.

President Clinton was also asked about a unity ticket – and said that the two people that "should" be talking about it are his wife and Senator Obama. "I have no business talking about that. There are only two people in America who should be talking about that – the rest of us should be silent and observe." It was unclear if the president was implying that he agreed Senator Obama and Clinton speak about it – or if he meant that people should stop speculating.

The former president also said there will be no nominee determined this evening and what the DNC is doing with Florida and Michigan is not smart and reminiscent of what the Republicans did with Florida. "There won't be (a nominee) tonight, unless you decapitate Michigan and Florida which is violates our values and is dumb politics. Look at I never I'd live to see it. Republicans are supposed to be the people who don’t count votes in Florida not democrats".

May 20, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (44)

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Probably have been moments of Gender Bias.

But Hillary plain got out worked, out smarted, out voted by a better candidate.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | May 20, 2008 3:49:59 PM

name them please.

Posted by: Louis | May 20, 2008 3:55:20 PM

The truth of the matter is that throughout this campaign the biased rhetoric against Senator Clinton that was engaged in by the DNC and by some national and state members of the Democratic party was unacceptable, but particularly abhorrent were the blatant sexist attacks by the MSM and pundits when it came to Senator Hillary Clinton's candidacy.


Collectively, what those behaviors show is that the Democratic party is not the political party women should join. Not even one stalwart male [or female for that matter] in the Democratic party stepped forward to denounce the demeaning language used by the MSM or pundits against Senator Clinton throughout this campaign -- and that includes her opponent, Obama.


The Republican party stalwarts would never have remained silent and permitted the sexist/misogynistic rants that were repeatedly aimed at Senator Hillary Clinton if she were their candidate. Bottom line message to women -- consider joining the Republican party, make it into a party that values women and families -- vote for McCain in the general election.

Posted by: C.Clark | May 20, 2008 4:03:10 PM

The fact that she states there was sexism but no racism tells me she is just setting the basis of her exit.

Remember, it is never her fault. Never.

How self absorbed can you get?

Posted by: Texas Voter | May 20, 2008 4:04:02 PM

It was a long campaign and odds are there have been moments of gender bias or racial bias. Odds favor it. There was probably even gender bias in favor of Hillary. When she cried, she won NH. A dood couldn't cry and get away with it in the media

But Gender Bias ain't the reason Hills got beat.

Posted by: The Commander Guy | May 20, 2008 4:04:14 PM

Lates Gallup poll says that Clinton only leads by 51% or more among women obver 50 all othe deomgraphics show that Obama is leading.

I didn't think all the blame game she has been making the last couple of weeks would help her much. She is growing weaker by the day. She had a nice run but it is over.

Obama08

Posted by: Thinking | May 20, 2008 4:08:38 PM

If you choose to frame your canidacy behind your gender, age (experience, whatever!) or race you can't be SURPRISED! (Gasp!) if you are held accountable for it. DUH!!! Stop acting like a "girl" Hiliary (Your own words, not mine!) and grow the hell up!!!

Posted by: blog | May 20, 2008 4:14:49 PM

I can't wait to watch MSNBC cover this story.

They're always rolling their eyes, or shrugging their shoulders with the male version of "who me, what did I do?" expression whenever this topic is discussed.

Posted by: sherr | May 20, 2008 4:15:29 PM

Obama may win the nomination, but there is absolutely no way he is going to win the general election. None. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

Posted by: CharlieG | May 20, 2008 4:17:31 PM

She was the defacto Candidate from last November until January. She was all smiles until she lost Iowa.
NAME THE INCIDENCES OF GENDER BIAS!

Posted by: Louis | May 20, 2008 4:18:40 PM

Save it! BO's people have been using the race card since the beginning and have been getting away with it!

Posted by: lol | May 20, 2008 4:19:09 PM

So does this mean that people actually believe that this society is more biased against a white woman than a black man?

If this is the case, I just have one small question....ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY?

Posted by: AutoCadSkills | May 20, 2008 4:21:36 PM

As I typed earlier, she's just laying down the framework of her excuse as to why she got trounced.

Again remember, it's never her fault.

Posted by: Texas Voter | May 20, 2008 4:23:13 PM

Mona - They conveniently omit the fact that Clinton signed an agreement that MI and FL votes and delegates would not count. They conveniently omit that it was the head of the Clinton Campaign, Terry McAuliffe, that warned both states they would be stripped if they moved their contest up.

They conveniently omit alot, don't they?

Posted by: Texas Voter | May 20, 2008 4:40:29 PM

The story just proves the point that a lot of the "support for Hillary" was actually a front for a third term for Bill. If it works in Argentina with a spouse and in Russia with a put in for Putin they thought it would work here. Bill's frequent reference of when "we" get into office during much of the campaign also reinforced this point. We don't need 28 years of two families running America.

Posted by: bhciapol | May 20, 2008 4:49:55 PM

Remember, Nat, it's never their fault. Never.

Posted by: Texas Voter | May 20, 2008 4:51:53 PM

I am sure there is gender bias in some situations but It is hard to say after the fact that she was the only woman running with less experience than half of the men and she ran a horribly flawed campaign that gender bias was even in the top 10 of why she failed.

Why did she beat 8 men that had almost as significant resumes and standings as she did.

Joe Biden, John Edwards, Dodd, Richardson.

She beat them with a background as first lady and a senator for a few years.

The only one she didn't was the young guy who got the message right and spoke out against the war. who ran his campaign better than most successful corporations.

To say this was a loss grounded in sexism... hurts every woman in a job who is sincerely fighting against sexism... it hurts the argument.

Posted by: dl | May 20, 2008 5:02:15 PM

Chris Mathew, Ole.. at MSNNBC and other reporters(i don't remember the name) are sexist.

Posted by: Stephanie | May 20, 2008 5:07:25 PM

Good point, dl. It marginalizes everyone out there that is actually fighting for equal pay. It marginalizes those that really ARE being discriminated against.

They both owe each and every woman out there a sincere apology.

Posted by: Texas Voter | May 20, 2008 5:07:31 PM

All I can say is wake me up on May 31st. If Bill was worried about my state (MI)being "decapitated, why didn't he object last fall when Hillary was signing the sanctions?

Now Bill says the Repub. system is more fair and Hillary is quoting KARL ROVE!!

Stop the madness!!

Posted by: Really? | May 20, 2008 5:13:45 PM

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