'Sexist' Media Focus on Rep. Nancy Pelosi's Wardrobe?

[Jon8503]

From: Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK "The emperor has no clothes," House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi once famously said about President Bush.

Well, actually he has some fairly decent ones, but it's been Pelosi's clothes -- stylish, well-chosen and nicely cut, of the Armani variety -- that have garnered attention since she became the most powerful woman in American politics earlier this month.

Why do we focus on Pelosi's clothes and not those of our president, or any male in Washington? Is it inherently sexist, detracting attention from her obvious accomplishments? Or is it merely a reflection of the obvious truth that, while clothes matter for both men and women, female attire is more noticeable, more expressive and more interesting?

It's an easier call when the fashion verdict is negative. Then, it can seem cruel: Recall the harsh response to Bush's one-time Supreme Court nominee Harriet E. Miers, whose attire, accessories and makeup were excoriated in the media. If she'd been a man and her standard navy blue suits were a bit dowdy, one can imagine, no ink would have been wasted.

One person who finds attention to Pelosi's clothes "over the top" is Eleanor Smeal, one of the country's most recognizable feminists.

"Yes, she dresses impeccably and wears clothes beautifully," says Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. "But this is a very accomplished woman. Why wasn't there more attention to her achievement of breaking through the marble ceiling (and becoming the first female Speaker in history)? They're trying to keep us on the style pages, the old-fashioned way."

But there is one positive aspect to the attention, Smeal says: "At least it's introducing the speaker to the country. Imagine if they DIDN'T like her clothes!"

-------------------------NOTE: Chris Matthews comment below:

The article appeared in the paper's Style section, not in the political coverage - the kind of context and placement McBride was referring to. By contrast, an example of troubling references, to Smeal for one, are comments by MSNBC host Chris Matthews, who referred in his election-night coverage not to the clothing of the Democratic speaker-in-waiting, but her female voice.

Pelosi, he said, was "going to have to do the big fight with the president over issues" like the minimum wage. "How does she do it without screaming?" he asked. "How does she do it without being grating?" He also compared the sound effect of Sen. Clinton's re-election victory speech to "fingernails on a blackboard."

(rest of article @ link below)

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003410868

[goclark]

1. How does he continue to get away with such comments!

Everyday GW gives a stupid speech in a stupid voice and he says NOTHING!

[Solo_in_MD]

2. Yet the comments about Mrs Bush and Bush daughters appearance are fair game here on DU

If comments about Pelosi are sexist, so are the catty ones made here on DU about Bush women