Sanders' record of disrespecting female candidates should not be ignored
SAN DIEGO -- Conservative radio host Ben Shapiro hawks a tumbler that lets fans drink "liberal tears." Liberal presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren offers supporters a coffee cup to hold "billionaire tears."
Where can I buy a mug to catch "white male tears"?
In politics, being a white male is the golden ticket. When a white male runs for president, he might encounter doubts about whether he is the right person for the job -- just like anyone else. But it is highly unlikely that these doubts will have to do with his race or gender. After all, we recognize his profile. Throughout U.S. history, there have been 44 white males who have served as president -- with Barack Obama as the only exception.
As we are constantly reminded, female candidates don't have it so easy. They are often held to different standards than men. And if they falter, the story is never about how an individual failed but rather how women aren't ready to lead the country.
In 1984, Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic nominee for vice president, was grilled by the media because of her husband's business dealings. When was the last time a man running for president was asked about his wife's finances?
In 2008, Sarah Palin, the GOP nominee for vice president was asked how she would balance the demands of the job with raising five children. Mitt Romney also has five children. I don't remember anyone asking the 2012 Republican presidential nominee that question.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president, was criticized for -- among other things -- yelling and unlikability. Bernie Sanders is known for both those things, but you don't hear many pundits questioning whether this makes him unqualified to be president.
Clinton has a lot to say about Sanders. In a new documentary, she basically accuses the Vermont senator -- who competed against her for the Democratic nomination -- of being a sexist. She believes Sanders tolerates, even promotes, attacks on women who dare to run against him.
"It's the culture around him," Clinton said. "It's his leadership team. It's his prominent supporters. It's his online Bernie Bros and their relentless attacks on lots of his competitors, particularly the women."
The former secretary of state also thought the recent "he said, she said" flap between Sanders and Warren had a familiar ring. During this month's Iowa debate, Sanders denied that he told Warren that a woman couldn't be elected president. Warren claims otherwise, and, after the debate, she was heard on an open mic taking Sanders to task for calling her a liar "on national TV."
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