Sotomayor, Clinton, Palin Plus: What Do A Surgeon General And Sports Reporter Have In Common?

July 27, 2009

The vote by the key US Senate panel to elevate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is expected to take place tomorrow, Tuesday, July 28.  And, it is expected that she will have enough votes to become the first Hispanic and third woman Supreme Court Justice. As you know, the WMC launched a campaign demanding media justice for this nominee. To date, nearly 12,000 people viewed the ridicule Judge Sotomayor was subjected to by conservatives in the media -- and we watched as she handled the sometimes hostile questioning during the hearings. We note that several key Republican Senators have announced they will vote yes: they include tough questioner Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Susan Collins (R-ME). We'll be watching.

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Clinton, Palin -- and Warren

It was quite a media Sunday yesterday: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did a full hour on Meet the Press, and Governor Sarah Palin delivered her "farewell" in Fairbanks, Alaska -- as always, telling off the media. In some ways it felt very much like 2008, and it is a reminder that we still have these two women "candidates" very much with us. And then there was Elizabeth Warren, chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel, updating us on our economy.

Secretary Clinton, six months and 100,000 miles into her new job amid burbles in the media questioning her influence and very low profile, deftly handled North Korea, Iran, Iraq & Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia -- and seemed completely comfortable and confident. Of course, host David Gregory could not but ask her the pivotal question of whether she will run again. Clinton tried to say no, but further questioning lead to this: "I have absolutely no belief in my mind that that is going to happen, that I have any interest in it happening. You know, as I said, I, I am so focused on what I'm doing."

Perhaps that's enough for her supporters to keep going on. I had a chance to talk recently with Clinton friend Ann Lewis, who was so essential in Clinton's political life (she served as Senior Advisor on the campaign.) Ann has started an online non-profit called No Limits where thousands of Hillary supporters are now gathering around issues. The title comes from Hillary's Denver speech: "With our ingenuity, innovative spirit and creativity, there are no limits to what is possible in America," While Ann insists this has nothing to do with politics, it's still a good campfire for those who still hope, "One day…"

Sarah Palin, in leaving, never sounded better. Thanks to the teleprompter, she stayed on her script and on point. The Fairbanks crowd of about 5,000 gave her a standing ovation when she bashed the media, saying it is essential to democracy, but, "How about, in honor of the American soldier, you quit makin' things up?" Her aides were still mum on what Palin will do next, but her political action committee, SarahPAC, has $1 million already.

I think Elizabeth Warren should be put in charge of our economy. We're proud, of course, that she is part of the WMC's SheSource database of women experts. This smart Harvard law professor, chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel is able to explain the most complicated issues…Sunday on Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street Journal Report she tackled, in plain English, the proposed Consumer Financial Products Administration. You can read a blog she's written about it here. And watch a clip here.

Updates

The WMC has been following a couple of outrageous examples of sexism in the media -- and one generous act by a former President:

Surgeon General

I was in a Washington, DC taxicab last week when I heard, on the conservative station the driver was listening to, two male hosts mockingly conduct a "survey" of listeners on Regina Benjamin's weight. Most callers were also men, and they seemed to be having a good time making fun. That's one kind of media. But then, if one does a web search on this subject, there are thousands of stories in legitimate as well as questionable media outlets. So, decades of service, a MacArthur genius award, and clear talent seem not to matter. The absurdity of it should be evident: where, ever, have you seen any man challenged in his desire to serve the public because of his physicality? To read more, check out the WMC's Majority Post.  If you feel like women should be judged by their work, and not by assumptions made about their appearance, please make a donation to the WMC today.  Your $25 donation along with others makes it possible for us to continue to point out the media's sexism and take action on it. Make a donation now!

ESPN Reporter Erin Andrews

The best news about the Erin Andrews nude video is that perhaps those who click to view it may get a virulent computer virus. Geraldo thinks Erin may have shot herself for publicity value; someone else wants to know why the heck she was ironing in the nude. For crying out loud, let's hope the perpetrator(s) who videotaped the ESPN reporter in her hotel room are caught and prosecuted. Andrews is promising to pursue criminal charges, and technology experts say they are zeroing in on suspects. The WMC also weighed in on our post, "The Case of Erin Andrews".

Jimmy Carter

We applaud his op-ed "The Words of God Do Not Justify Cruelty to Women"  in the UK Observer. Jimmy Carter writes about his split with the Southern Baptist Church in 2000 when:

"…the convention's leaders, quoting a few carefully selected Bible verses and claiming that Eve was created second to Adam and was responsible for original sin, ordained that women must be 'subservient' to their husbands and prohibited from serving as deacons, pastors or chaplains in the military service. This was in conflict with my belief -- confirmed in the holy scriptures -- that we are all equal in the eyes of God."

The former president is one of The Elders, a group that includes Nelson Mandela, former Ireland President Mary Robinson, and other senior activists who have staked out discrimination against women as a primary target and we thank them!

With warmest wishes until next time,

Carol Jenkins
WMC President

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