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OP-ED: Are the media ready for a female president
by Daniel Podair
Op-Ed | 2/12/08
Posted online at 2:30 AM EST on 2/12/08
For the first time in our nation's history, a woman stands a decent chance of becoming president. If Hillary Clinton is elected to the presidency this fall, she will join an exclusive club composed in its entirety of white, Christian men. Ever since she considered the possibility of running, the question of whether America is ready for a female president has been explored. Regardless of what Americans or members of the media say, assuming she wins the Democratic nomination, the fact is that we will find out the answer to that question in November. But there is a more immediate question that must be explored: Are the media ready for a female president?
While many in the media have hailed the possibility of a Hillary Clinton presidency as a great breakthrough for America, their coverage of the current presidential election tells a much different story. This election has highlighted the numerous problems women must deal with when trying to break barriers set by previous generations and winning elections to powerful offices in our nation, whether it is to a governorship, the Senate, or in Clinton's case, the presidency.
It has become impossible to watch the news, read the newspaper or listen to talk radio without seeing or hearing hatred hurled toward her campaign. For example, after losing the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Barack Obama, Clinton came out strongly defending herself against criticism from John Edwards that "every time [Obama] speaks out for change, every time I fight for change, the forces of status quo [Clinton] are going to attack" during the Jan. 5 debate in New Hampshire. The media responded negatively to her performance, some calling her response too hotheaded and bitter. But two days later, when Clinton was close to tears during a sit-down in a New Hampshire diner, the media questioned whether she had the strength to lead the nation. Regardless of her composure or her triumphs, the media cannot help but portray her campaign in a negative light.
While many in the media have hailed the possibility of a Hillary Clinton presidency as a great breakthrough for America, their coverage of the current presidential election tells a much different story. This election has highlighted the numerous problems women must deal with when trying to break barriers set by previous generations and winning elections to powerful offices in our nation, whether it is to a governorship, the Senate, or in Clinton's case, the presidency.
It has become impossible to watch the news, read the newspaper or listen to talk radio without seeing or hearing hatred hurled toward her campaign. For example, after losing the Iowa caucuses to Sen. Barack Obama, Clinton came out strongly defending herself against criticism from John Edwards that "every time [Obama] speaks out for change, every time I fight for change, the forces of status quo [Clinton] are going to attack" during the Jan. 5 debate in New Hampshire. The media responded negatively to her performance, some calling her response too hotheaded and bitter. But two days later, when Clinton was close to tears during a sit-down in a New Hampshire diner, the media questioned whether she had the strength to lead the nation. Regardless of her composure or her triumphs, the media cannot help but portray her campaign in a negative light.
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