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Home > Blogs > Women's Life > Archives > 2009 > March > 17 > Entry
Why does McCain/Coulter fight have to turn to weight?
You may have heard about the conservative Republican women’s catfight that started last week.
It has degenerated into one woman calling another woman fat. OMG! Intelligent women leaders turning serious political discourse into a ‘Mean Girls’ scene.
Here’s how it started: Meghan McCain, the 24-year-old daughter of Sen. John McCain was talking about how being conservative does not mean being mean. In other words, how being conservative doesn’t mean being Ann Coulter.
Here’s what McCain said: “… “More so than my ideological differences with Ann Coulter, I don’t like her demeanor. I have never been a person who was attracted to hate or negativity. … Everything about her is extreme: her voice, her interview tactics, and especially the public statements she makes about liberals. Maybe her popularity stems from the fact that watching her is sometimes like watching a train wreck.”
An aggressive comment, certainly, but one that is on point. She worries about a negative, nasty force in her party. We all worry about negativity in politics. We’ve complained about that for years.
Coulter has ignored the comments, which is really neither good nor bad.
But conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham called McCain “just another Valley Girl gone awry.” And then made an extremely off-point comment.
Ingraham joked that McCain didn’t get a role on a TV reality show because “they don’t like plus-sized models.” Where did that come from? Was she suddenly possessed by the nasty girl from my 9th grade homeroom?
McCain, of course, pushed back, saying she’s a size 8 or size 10, like most of us (I added that part).
The blogosphere and TV shows like ‘The View’ have pounced on this. “Next on The View: Is Meghan McCain fat or is she an awesome, curvy role model?”
In the words of a good Valley Girl: Whatever!
Why is it that women’s bodies are always attacked or even brought into the conversation? Hillary Clinton runs for president and we talk about pantsuits. Kelly Clarkson is out with a well-received new album and people prattle about how she has gained weight.
More importantly, why are women in leadership doing it to each other? Let’s talk about role models. Instead of wondering whose possesses the body of a role model, could we consider who possesses the demeanor of a role model?
And there’s bad news ladies: It might just be the men. Barack Obama doesn’t take Rush Limbaugh’s criticism and then simply call him “fat.” He argues the ideas.
Sen. Ted Kennedy has been around a few years and has put on a lot of pounds, but Republican males have criticized his issues and standards.
This fight between conservative Republican women started with issues. That’s where it should return. Then we’ll sort out the role models.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: role models
Comments
By who f 'in cares
March 17, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this
It is interesting in this time of economic disaster, terror in the world, and Obama turning this into a socialist state, the media is more concerned with Rush Limbaugh and Ann coulter….Where are the stories of Barny Frank and Chris Dodd creating this mess with the housing markets? think of this, when did the economy start to tank and gas prices start their meteoric rise? I will tell you. February 2007. What other event happened in the beginning of 2007? Oh yeah, Pelosi, Dodd, Frank and the dems to control of the Senate and House….gee what a coinkidink……
By drparkwood
March 17, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
It’s almost funny how since the Dem’s have caused all this, they now resort to name calling. Next it will be stealing lunch money (oh wait, they are stealing that already). I’d say Obama has a new presidential record, he’s the first president to be totally emasculated within 100 days. Now we just need to get Reid and Pelosi to shut up and go away
By TweedleDee
March 17, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
drparkwood, it is evident by your statement that you are not a fan of the Dems. I certainly do respect your opinion, and you are free to say what you want. However, taken in context, your statement “It’s almost funny how since the Dem’s have caused all this, they now resort to name calling.” The name calling was done by the conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham. If it will make you feel better, you can feel free to blame the last 8 years on the Clinton administration. Most of my conservative friends say it is an effective coping mechanism. Good luck!
By BernieB
March 17, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this
Kim, why don’t you write something that has a little more relevance about it than getting involved in tabloid journalism. No wonder intelligent people make fun of the DDN and call it the rag that it is. In other words Kim, who really cares? There are many more significant issues that need reporting than what you wasted time writing about. Just face the facts, we live in a society that bases success and everything else by the way you look, especially women. We’re deluged with it and it’s not going to change, so deal with it and get on with something that has more importance. How about writing about a group of legislators in Washington who could really care less what happens to the ordinary citizen. Do you want a group of fiscally irresponsible people telling you how to run your business or what to do with the money you worked hard to earn? Let Entertainment Weekly talk about women’s dress and weight. Write something that has some true significance.
By Cameron
March 17, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
drparkwood WTF are you talking about this is a fight between Republicans, how on earth did the Dems cause this?
By Sassy
March 17, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this
Now really, did anybody expect more from Laura Ingraham? LOL…
By Cletus
March 17, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
So… a fight between the daughter of a washed up Senator, and a shock political talk radio jockey? They can say whatever they want, nothing either of them say or do should really matter to anyone.
By Jennifer
March 17, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
If McCain is fat than most of us are obese. Though there has got to be better news to report.
By really...sticks 'n stones
March 17, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
really…who f’in cares… who f’n cares? sticks ‘n stones… like the weight/build of any of these people, and much of the other crap we read about nowdays, is worthy of a paycheck for the sorry copywriters. (do they still have editors?…duh) heck! give me the job…i’ll report the facts…point by point…outline impo’tant stuff…proofread my stuff…and everyone else’s…and edit it all by little, lonesome self…for a lot less than the 3 or more paychecks 3 or more folks are getting to put out this garbage. i’d write like reporters did in d’old days…when people actually WORKED for da money! (i think there’s a song in there, somewhere…and there too.) :) i’d just like to know when the idiot writers and voters who voted this goofy (no inference to Presbo’s ears) mulatto (no jive…he really is not black, nor white…but both) into office are gonna admit he really IS NOT ready for prime time…
By Kim
March 17, 2009 3:26 PM | Link to this
BernieB: It’s funny. it’s always these insignificant, tabloid issues that get the readers talking. if i write something serious, no one reads it. even in your complaint about my post, you raise serious issues about body image.
By Dave
March 17, 2009 4:02 PM | Link to this
Ann Coulter is a man anyway, right?????
By Justine
March 17, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
I think it is a good article, and something that definitely needs to be examined. Meghan McCain is beautiful and intelligent- if the Republicans hope to survive the disaster they- yes, they- created, they need more thoughtful, progressive thinkers like her. She is honest and funny in addition to being very smart. It is a huge shame that the elder leaders of her party get so tripped up on their outdated ideology that they have to resort to fat jokes like a bunch of insecure teenagers. Also, I understand that a lot of people on this site hate the Democrats… fine, but for heaven’s sake, please make a real point instead of griping about “this goofy mulatto” we elected. You’re certainly not fixing the economy or reforming healthcare, so STFU.
By Pearls
March 17, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
Kim, glad to see you stand by your article. I think it brings up an important point: if women want to play with the big boys, quite acting like catty little (fill in your own expletive). What’s funny to me is that whenever there is something negative about the republican party or conservative individuals in the news, the comments we get rarely, if ever, address the story! This article was not about the economy, the President, AIG, whatever. So for those who criticize your work, maybe they need to take a reading comprehension class. (and I really hope drparkwood is not somebody’s real doctor. what in the hamfat was he even talking about?)
By Tomas
March 17, 2009 5:06 PM | Link to this
It is obvious from reading replies so far that locals are clueless. This is not some battle about GOP vs. dems but the comments are side-tracked onto this tired old subject. This is a GOP vs. GOP battle or can you not read?
By Stephen Payne
March 17, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this
In response to “Dave”, what are you talking about? Your comment makes no sense.
By null
March 17, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
Ann The Man Coultergiest, who gives a f*&! what He has to say?
By Ron
March 17, 2009 9:12 PM | Link to this
Some people should read the article before responding. Not a single word of it was attributed to Ann. Meghan took verbal jabs at Ann, Ann ignored the silliness and Laura jumped on Meghan. The most telling line of the whole article…”More importantly, why are women in leadership doing it to each other?” These people are considered “leaders”? Good grief!
By rm
March 17, 2009 10:16 PM | Link to this
cletus, Washed up Senator! McCain has moreguts in his little finger then you will ever have. He was a POW for 5 plus years, was beaten ever single day and you call him Washed up! What pure BS you are spilling. So you don’t like him, at least step back and thank him for serving for over 25 years with 5 as POW. Give John McCain your respect. Then youcansay what you want, Till then just SHUT UP.
By Rick
March 23, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this
I like Ann!