[T]here is the new creation that the feminist woman has not figured out in 40 years...that men can take in a woman in power and women can celebrate a woman in power. Hillary Clinton didn’t figure it out. She didn’t put a skirt on! (Deutsch, 2008, para. 4)

Far from being neutral then, the classic claim of ‘objective journalism’, the imagery and language of mediated politics is heavily gendered, supporting male as norm and regarding women politicians as novelties

Female politicians as sexualized in media. 

"Sexist portrayals of Palin stemmed from her beauty queen background, her youth- ful appearance, wardrobe, and her unabashed feminine nonverbal communication such as winking. Emphasis on her physical appearance began when news sources revealed she had participated in beauty pageants." (Carlin & Winfrey) 

In a 1940 newspaper poll, Clare Boothe Luca, a member of congress, was voted the second most desirable legs in America.   When asked if the award was beneath her, she responded, "Don't you realize, Congressman, that you are just falling for some subtle New Deal propaganda designed to distract attention from the end of me that is really functioning?" (Baird) 




"The Palin Effect" - The over sexualization of female politicians. (Barid) 

Newsweek's cover of Plain. Portrayed her in short tight fitting running short. 

The perception of Female Politicians as being 'cold' 'bitchy' 'unfeminine'

Like her or not, one of the great lessons of that campaign is the continued—and accepted—role of sexism in American life, particularly in the media.- Katie Couric (Uscinski & Goren) 

“Women who exhibit too many masculine traits are often ridiculed and lose trust because they are going against type or play into male political stereotypes that voters are rejecting” (Carlin & Winfrey) 

Glenn Beck was quoted on his radio show as saying, "Hillary Clinton cannot be elected president because ... there's something about her vocal range." He went on to say, "There's something about her voice that just drives me -- it's not what she says, it's how she says it," adding,"She is like the stereotypical -- excuse the expression, but this is the way to -- she's the stereotypical bitch, you know what I mean?" Beck also asked: "[A]fter four years, don't you think every man in America will go insane?(Mediamatters) 

-Overall, prior research predicts female senators should be perceived as more competent than warm.(Schlehofer, Casad, Blign, Grotto) 

On Jimmy Fallon's talk show, Michelle Bachman was introduced on the show with the song, "lying ass bitch" playing in the background. (I don't like Glenn Beck but it talks about what happens) 

Closing Video