Put Pelosi ‘In Her Place’? Sexism Charges Fly
EmailABC News' Teddy Davis reports: The campaign arm of House Republicans is being criticized by Democrats for saying that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should be put “in her place” for telling “Charlie Rose” earlier this week that Gen. Stanley McChrystal should go up the chain of command – and not through the press — with his call for a troop build-up in Afghanistan. “If Nancy Pelosi's failed economic policies are any indicator of the effect she may have on Afghanistan, taxpayers can only hope McChrystal is able to put her in her place,” said Ken Spain, the communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, in a written statement issued to reporters on Tuesday. With gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey just a month away, Democrats are hoping to combine the NRCC’s Pelosi statement and Sen. Jon Kyl’s, R-Ariz., opposition to mandatory maternity care with Virginia Republican Bob McDonnell’s graduate school thesis and New Jersey Republican Chris Christie’s characterization of pre-K as “baby-sitting” to argue that Republicans are unfriendly to working women. To amplify this message, the Democratic National Committee convened a Wednesday conference call with reporters on this subject. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., a close Pelosi ally, has taken the lead in painting the Republican Party as “sexist.” “It just shows the shocking sexism that exists in the Republican Party today,” Wasserman Schultz told MSNBC on Wednesday afternoon. Asked by MSNBC's Contessa Brewer why men have to “demean” the intellect of a woman with whom they disagree, Wasserman Schultz argued that sexist attitudes are confined to the GOP. "Well, it's when Republican men disagree with women, because it's pretty clear that they have a real problem with a woman being second-in-line for the presidency," said Wasserman Schultz. "They can't handle a woman being in a position of authority," she added. Republicans are not ceding the sexist line of attack. Earlier this week, the Republican Governors Association (R.G.A.) launched an ad in the Virginia Governor's race, presenting Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds as being disrespectful to women. In the RGA’s ad, Deeds is shown being questioned by a female reporter, to which he responds: "I think I made myself clear, young lady." The female narrator then says: "Did you catch that? 'Young lady.' Watch the RGA’s ad HERE.
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“It just shows the shocking sexism that exists in the Republican Party today,” Wasserman-Schultz told MSNBC on Wednesday afternoon. “They have a real problem with a woman being second in line for the presidency.”? Last I checked Sara Palin was a Female. Democrats will say anything to win no matter how false it is. Using the Race Card and Sexism card at will. I think this is more about her failed policy and inept leadership. Condoleezza Rice was also a Female and she is well respected in the Republican Party.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 7, 2009, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
Asked by MSNBC why men have to “demean” women with whom they disagree, Wasserman-Schultz made the claim that demeaning attitudes towards women on the part of men are confined to the GOP.
“It’s when Republican men disagree with women,” said Wasserman-Schultz. ” When is this lady up for Re-election? She should be voted out we do not need someone with this obviously biased view representing anybody. This lady is a Joke.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 7, 2009, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
Since when is it disrespectful to call someone young lady? I think she kept pushing a question and he was being as firm but polite at the same time. Republicans are reaching here. I think the Republicans want their women at home with the kids while there out on the prowel for party girl mistresses. I think the GOP is more like the GOB party.
Posted by: texas outlaw | October 7, 2009, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
Sarah Palin played the soccor mom role for the GOP. That should tell you something about them right there. Schultz is correct, the GOP is full of bigots.
Posted by: texas outlaw | October 7, 2009, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
Well Palin was a gambit to try to swipe defeat from the jaws of defeat after 8 years of horrble leadership.
Watch how they tear down Palin themselves next round if they are in better position. Republicans will use women when they have no choice left.
Check the count 4 women republican senators to 12 democratic.
Posted by: J. Richter | October 7, 2009, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
How convenient Wasserman-Schultz sticks up for women when they are in her party.
But gives a crap when a women politician is being attacked by the media. I am republican and conservative and Pelosi should be put in her place. She is divissive and partisan and does not speak for the majority of women. God help us I don’t even want to think she is 2nd in line to the Obama thrown
Posted by: karen | October 7, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
texas outlaw | Oct 7, 2009 4:36:00 PM
posted “Sarah Palin played the soccor mom role for the GOP. That should tell you something about them right there. Schultz is correct, the GOP is full of bigots.” Sara Palin played the part of an ordinary person the kind of person people were wanting to run for an office and then The Democratic party tore her apart! The Democrats do not care about Women or Minorities they only care about votes! How long have Minorities and Women been supporting the Democrats? And what do they have to show for it? Nothing just another round of empty promises! By the way Soccor is Soccer!
Posted by: batesba74 | October 7, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Sorry, not buying it! The same thought occurred to me as mentioned above – if ANYone DARES to say that something Obama does or says is wrong? They’re RACIST, they MUST be, no other explanation is possible! And now? Of COURSE the comment was intended to demean Speaker PeLOSER as a woman; frankly, she has every right in the WORLD to involve herself in strategic & tactical military decisions! After all, she can spell ARMY! “A . . . R . . .” . . .
Posted by: MoreNMore | October 7, 2009, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
Dems are a laugh a minute. They bashed Palin at every turn now they want Republicans to be nice to Pelosi? I don’t think so dems. Dems are more sexist and more racist as a group than all the Republicans but they’re too stupid to see it.
Posted by: afkbrad | October 7, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
I was disgusted at the republican teeshirts I saw about Palin – candidate they most wanted to have congress with… and the like.
She’s right, condescending attitudes towards women in leadership tends to be a pattern.
We’ve all suffered thru Phyllis Schafly’s diatribes about how the perfect woman is a stay at home mom and working moms are taking away jobs from men and not properly caring for their kids.
Would that we all had the luxury to decide.
many older male politicians in general are just not used to women in positions of authority and spout this crap which they should rightly get called on.
Posted by: trueblue | October 7, 2009, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
You know, the “Chain of Command” is probably the one tool that bad management has always used, to cover their tracks!!!!!
Nothing quite like it, to silence critics and opposition.
I commend the general for speaking in a forthright manner, and I hope the “Chain of Command” eventually gets killed, entirely, everywhere but the military.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | October 7, 2009, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
American voters will put San Fran Nan back in her place, next November when the Republicans take back the House.
Posted by: Libs and The Lying Liars Who Elect Them | October 7, 2009, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
ummmmmm…….all of a sudden, the Dumbocrats are interested in women’s rights? WHERE EXACTLY WHERE THEY WHEN SARAH PALIN WAS BEING RIPPED TO PIECES?
PULL-EASE!! WHAT A MASSIVE COLLECTION OF HYPOCRITES!!!
Posted by: mannettino | October 7, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Funny, where was the outrage when the lefties were, and still are disrespectful to Palin?
Posted by: kp | October 7, 2009, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
‘Racist’! ‘Sexist’!…when one side consistently resorts to those charges, you know they have nothing of substance from which to debate.
Posted by: chicagomatt | October 7, 2009, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
Yeah, that’s right it’s all about the fact the Pelosi is a woman. Democrats are embarrassingly stupid. Pelosi is a hack and sex has got noting to do with that Debbie Dipwad.
Posted by: Pattieb | October 7, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
“..Asked by MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer why men have to “demean” the intellect of a woman with whom they disagree”. Ms. Brewer’s parents couldn’t have given her a more fitting name.
Posted by: chicagomatt | October 7, 2009, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
How in the world is that a sexist comment? Was it the phrase “failed economic policies”? They said that about Bush a hundred times. Was it “put in her place”? Come on now! Who hasn’t been put in their place before. She’s an arrogant idiot that does need to be put in her place. People have got to stop being sooo sensative. Must be that time of month again. OH. Was that being sexist?
Posted by: mike | October 7, 2009, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
If your president had not spoke to you in 70 days and you needed support,you would tell anyone who would listen.Pelosi should not make comments on what she does not know anything about.Who is in charge anyway Obama or Pelosi? McChrystal does not work for Pelosi, and if my soldiers were dying and I needed more troops I would tell everybody consequences be damn.
Posted by: Marion | October 7, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
Pelosi will snuggle up with Charlie Rangel tonight and laugh at all of us.
Posted by: Willie12345 | October 7, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Gen. McChrystal is a “McArthur” wanna be. The troops are dying because of his poor leadership and inability to protect the troops by putting bases in the center of mountain craters and using “blackwater et. al” to protect the home base. Gen McChrystal should never have been in GB anyway; doesn’t he have a war going on where we are losing! Yes, McChrystal should use the chain of command; any fool knows that, if you’ve ever served! The Repulicon armchair quaterbacks want to rail against Pelosi which is par for their normal course of it’s always somebody else’s fault. America will gain no more security by sending more troops to die in this farce of a “war”!
Posted by: john copeland | October 7, 2009, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
C’MON AMERICANS!! We are being USED!!!Politicians throw this red meat our way, the press pours steak sauce on it..and while we’re scratching and clawing at each other, Washington surges ahead with their agendas..Republicans and Democrats alike!! We are at war, we are in debt, our borders are busted, unemployment is rising, businesses are failing..and we are arguing about sexism?? We really are “useful idiots!”
Posted by: cindy | October 7, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
McChrystal is an employee of the
President. I served in the military,
in a war. Did you. That is how our
system is set up and has been for
a long long time. OK you hate the Speaker and you hate the President. And
now you want to gut the country, out
of your sour grapes bad loser attitude.
N. Pelosi is right. Generals are supposed to keep it in the family.
Get over your pettiness!
Posted by: cinoti | October 7, 2009, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
Actually, for the most part BOTH parties are equally guilty of sexism, racism and what ever –ism you care to bring up. What we are in dire need of in congress is true leaders that are committed to solving the real problems we are faced with. All of this posturing is really only about getting their parties candidate elected or re-elected. A true leader would be focused on the solutions and not getting the next sound bites on the evening news. If they did this I think as Americans we are smart enough to re-elect them and they would not even need all of the B.S.
Posted by: not_rich | October 7, 2009, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm
Pelosi said that this would be the most ethical Congress in history. She is a joke. She deserves any and all criticsm thrown at her. Her and Rangel are a pair from hell.
Posted by: Boxcar | October 7, 2009, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Pelosi is nothing more than an elitist windbag. Where was she and all of the women’s right advocats when the press and the democrats were doing everything they could to demean Sarah Palin? And last time I checked old Nancy is third in line for the Presidency (behind VP Joe Biden). Thank you for that one. The last thing this country needs is a crazy women who’s more than likey hormonal from the menopause.
Posted by: rightsideofmymind | October 7, 2009, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm
You know you democrats and repbulicans, you’re all the same! The last thing any of you actually want to start discussing as elections draw near is policy! No, that would require thinking and informing myself about the issues that congress can actually DO SOMETHING about. Nope, let’s not do that, let’s argue about who’s more sexist or who’s more racist or who’s more mean and ugly . . . A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME! This is what goes for news in America . . . sad.
Posted by: rj | October 7, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
nonsense on top of nonsense on top of nonsense. american politics is plumbing the toilet depths.
Posted by: Michael R. Brown | October 7, 2009, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm
The Democrats didn’t have a problem with then-Senator Clinton going directly to the Pentagon with some trumped-up questions rather than through the proper channels, or Pelosi taking a trip to Iran rather than let the State Department deal with the foreign relations situation when it suited them, did they?
Posted by: Publius | October 7, 2009, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm
I really dont think Republicans are sexist when they want to put Nancy Pelosi in her place. Its that they know she is an idiot and knows absolutely nothing about military matters, unless it has to do with bullying the Air Force into giving the queen a big enough plane to fly on. Maybe Nancy can put on another crying theme instead it can be this time it can be all about how the Republicans are such sexist pigs. I cant believe the people of Californication keep putting her into office, she really is an embarrassment to thier state.
Posted by: Alex Mackie | October 7, 2009, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
Mrs. Pelosi thinks she is top dog. I hate to remind her she works for the people of this country and not for herself. After all she is worth more than 50 Million dollars but loves spending ours. She will never make it another term as Head of her House of Cards. The people are waking up from the nightmare and speaking their minds. I am not GOP or DEM just a citizen who cares about her dollar.
Posted by: Changing | October 7, 2009, 11:34 pm 11:34 pm
cant criticize Obama or youre racist. cant criticize pelosi or youre sexist. someday this will be a movie..”The Untouchables 2009″.
Posted by: obama=socialism | October 7, 2009, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm
“If Nancy Pelosi’s failed economic policies are any indicator of the effect she may have on Afghanistan, taxpayers can only hope McChrystal is able to put her in her place,” said Ken Spain, the communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, in a written statement issued to reporters on Tuesday.
This is not a “sexist statement by
any stretch of the imagination.
Mr Spain obviously meant that the
Speaker does not have any expertise
in fighting a war and has not done
well with the economy, something she
has more knowledge experience with.
The Dems are trying to deflect attention
from the fact that they have
controlled the Congress since 2006 and
have accomplished Nothing!
Posted by: reaganfan | October 8, 2009, 12:32 am 12:32 am
Maybe someone lied to Pelosi!
Posted by: Ed Taylor | October 8, 2009, 1:08 am 1:08 am
Wasserman Schultz is a perfect example of hypocrisy – squared. Two words: Sarah Palin.
Posted by: Fran - Syracuse | October 8, 2009, 9:39 am 9:39 am
I have no respect for the present Oduma administration from top to bottom.They all seem like a bunch of socialist communist to me ,can not do anything about it righ t now,just pray we vote them out,in fact vote out all republicans also .We need a government by the people for the people ,something missing now in the messed up White House ,congress and senate.
Posted by: Joeray | October 8, 2009, 11:31 am 11:31 am
Marion – You asked “Who is in charge anyway Obama or Pelosi?”
Based on the “Deer in the Headlights” look Obama keeps giving the cameras when asked about Afghanistan, I’d say Pelosi is FIRMLY in charge!!
We have a MORON in the Oval Office… at least for another 3 years….
Posted by: Namako_H3 | October 8, 2009, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Sexist, racist, homophobic! Like America didn’t know this already? This isn’t any kind of revelation, this is fact. Just look at the hate, rhetoric, and manufactured emotions that the repulicans rely on on a daily basis. Without these attributes they would have no following and absolutely no use as a party. They try to hide all of these behind the word conservative, but we all know better. Call it what it is.
Posted by: Chuck | October 8, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
I’m no fan, I doubt whether anyone, male or female can put Pelosi “in her place”. The woman is third in line for the presidency. As for Republicans being sexist, most “claim” some of the more conservative denominations where the wife, and women in general, are supposed to be subservient to their husband, almost like the male is more important to God than females; you know, the old Eve in the Garden story. So if they truly follow their religious beliefs, then, yes, they are sexist.
Posted by: DaveM | October 8, 2009, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
you cant multiply wealth by dividing it.nancy is all about taking this country to its demise.her place is the unemployment line in san francisco.
Posted by: catman | October 8, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
This just shows you how pathetic the Republic party has become. SHE, yes I repeat, SHE is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. SHE is the most powerful member of Congress. To compare Nancy Pelosi to Sarah Palin is sad. Sarah couldn’t even carry Nancy’s thesaurus. Oh and BTW, the ‘mainstream’ republicans hung Sarah out to dry as well. They didn’t help her career either.
Posted by: Linda | October 8, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
nancy pelosi needs to be put in her place…right next to charlie rangell and the ethics committee.she couldnt even carry sarah palins bath water.sarah was a govenor and nanacy is a little ole house rep. she wont be speaker next go around.
Posted by: catman | October 8, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Its true… A perfect example… Conservative John Derbyshire, in an interview with Alan Combs said we’d be a better country if women suffrage had failed and women did not have the right to vote.
“His main argument appears to be that women vote the wrong way. “They want someone to nurture, they want someone to help raise their kids, and if men aren’t inclined to do it — and in the present days, they’re not much — then they’d like the state to do it for them.” LOL… I am glad he seems to have that all women so logically figured out but of course he is very wrong…
Some Republican women also share in this limiting belief of women as second class citizens…
like Annie Coulter who states, “If we took away women’s right to vote, we’d never have to worry about another Democrat president. It’s kind of a pipe dream, it’s a personal fantasy of mine, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. And it is a good way of making the point that women are voting so stupidly, at least single women.”
Nice huh,,, I like the last line the best… being a single woman and all…
Posted by: theafalcon200 | October 8, 2009, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm
To Texas Outlaw (and anyone else who doesn’t think the term ‘young lady’ is disrespectful) It’s condescending. It’s like calling an African American ‘boy’. The reporter was trying to ask a serious question, and Creigh was actively evading it. When he turned to her and said, ‘I think I made myself clear, young lady’, the implication was that he’s the authority figure here, and doesn’t need to be accountable to her – like a father addressing a young child. It’s sexism plain and clear.
Posted by: Dr. No | October 9, 2009, 12:16 am 12:16 am
You can’t really compare this to the treatment of Sarah Palin by Democrats. Sarah Palin proved several times, on national television that she did not have a good grasp of the issues. It wasn’t sexist to critique her lack of knowledge. Sure, some of it was mean and hyperbolic, but for the most part she did the most damage to herself with her crazy rhetoric. She scared the moderates away from voting for her, for sure. Sorry, but she just didn’t cut it – I wish she did, but she didn’t. She turned out to be a big phony.
Posted by: Dr. No | October 9, 2009, 12:23 am 12:23 am
We’ve all suffered thru Phyllis Schafly’s diatribes about how the perfect woman is a stay at home mom and working moms are taking away jobs from men and not properly caring for their kids.
Posted by: Acai | November 11, 2009, 9:16 am 9:16 am
Debbie Wasserman Schultz knows nothing. Robert Lowry will be taking her place for Florida’s US Congressional District 20 in 2010. LowryforCongress (dotcom) is the web site. Be gone, Debbie, be gone!
Posted by: Dee Dunn | December 19, 2009, 1:36 am 1:36 am