News networks occasionally make the phony claim that Hillary Clinton is the victim of sexism because as the only female candidate her physical appearance is scrutinized much more closely than that of her male opponents. Here’s one example I found.

To the contrary, I think she’s getting a pass with respect to her increasingly broader bottom which no one in the media ever comments on. Watch the videos closely on the rare occasion they actually show a below-the-waist shot and you’ll see that Hill’s actually beginning to waddle a bit. We all know what the mainstream media would be doing to a male candidate, especially a Republican male candidate, if he began to assume the contours of a pear during the course of the race. They’d be dropping all sorts of references to “lack of self-discipline,” or “incapable of denying himself,” or “has an obvious aversion to exercise.” You get the picture. They wouldn’t come right out and say it but they would sure let you know they think he’s nothing but a fat slob with no self-esteem.

Be honest now, do you really think a pear shaped male with narrow shoulders and a double-axe-handle derrière would ever get to be a presidential candidate? We haven’t had a hefty jefe since Herbert Hoover and he was considered fit for his time. Huckabee used to be a chub but he knew he had to pare down the pounds to be a serious contender. Remember, even a sturdy stud like Dick Cheney had to peel off some of that pork to go on the re-election trail. Can you picture any bubble butt male standing up there on a debate stage in the midst of these current sleek greyhounds? There’s a reason it’s the trim Obama, not the tubby, triple-chinned Al Sharpton, leading the race to be the first black president, although even Big Al seems to be getting the picture nowadays. Speaking of Big Al, don’t kid yourself that his personal out of control global forming didn’t factor into Gore’s early exclusion as a contender in this race.

Look, I’m not knocking the extra pounds; I’ve plenty of those myself and I’ve probably just added another one sitting here at this computer. It’s the media’s phony bemoaning of a double standard while applying its own slick double standard that irks me. Why don’t we read or hear any snide remarks about this famously iron-willed woman’s lack of self-discipline or inability to deny herself? Why do we never see early news film of some buff blond reporter babe joining Hill for a fast-paced morning jog, a photo op so highly valued by Democrats in the previous presidential campaign?

Finally, how are the fawning media going to handle this Empress Has New Rolls double standard if Hillary wins and once the prize is hers and pressures of running are past, she really begins to pack on the pounds? Here’s a suggestion: perhaps they could describe her as “expansive” or “voluminous,” and characterize her as “filling the top seat of government like no other president since William Howard Taft.” As for the um, er, wrinkles only we sexists seem to notice? Just make sure you always have a video clip or picture of Mick Jagger or Keith Richards preceding or juxtaposing hers. An occasional close-up of Don Imus will work just as well.

Our precious, portly president will appear positively youthful by comparison.

Russ Vaughn

Contributed by Russ Vaughn on February 14, 2008 at 05:18 PM in [W]itch Hillary, Politics, Russ Vaughn | Permalink

Comments

Posted by: Raven

Oh Russ now that's just freakin hilarious!

You dirty old man you ;) And be careful, Billary will come after yah now!

LOL!!!

Posted by: Raven | Feb 14, 2008 9:11:03 PM

Posted by: Tina

Hi Russ: Love your poetry and your political commentary! As an ex-dependent as we were once called - I always resented that as I worked all my life....but, my ex was stationed with the USAF at RAF Greenham Common in 1967, in 1974 after being station in Calif and N. Carolina, he was sent on a remote assignment to Osan Korea, the longest year of my life, I wrote every day, and prayed to God every night for a letter, unfortunately, I was the one who got the "Dear John" and neve saw him again. I must admit, I loved the military life, and was proud to be a military wife, I loved the travelling and the unity of being part of a big family. I still remember wearing my P.O.W bracelet for a Major Thomas Story and watched as he walked down the steps of the plan and touched foot on American soil in California, I cried like a baby as I removed my bracelet. God Bless and keep safe all of our boys away from home and all of their families waiting for them.

Posted by: Tina | Feb 15, 2008 10:26:40 PM

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