The Daily Caller reported yesterday that the National Organization for Women was coming to Michele Bachmann’s aid and dismissing Newsweek’s cover story on her as sexist.
This article first appeared online at Politico.com on August 9, 2011.
Women’s groups join in defending Bachmann
The Daily Caller reported yesterday that the National Organization for Women was coming to Michele Bachmann’s aid and dismissing Newsweek’s cover story on her as sexist.
They’re not the only ones: Other women’s groups on both sides of the aisle blasted Newsweek’s Bachmann cover, too.
From Siobhan “Sam” Bennett, president and CEO of the Women’s Campaign Forum:
It’s unfortunate Newsweek thinks it’s appropriate to engage in sexist journalism. Not only is the cover insulting by referring to congresswoman Bachmann as the “Queen of Rage,” but the article itself is offensive in its references to her figure and appearance. Let’s face it – if Michele Bachmann was a man, Newsweek would be praising her for her convictions, not demonizing her for “rage” issues. This is a sitting congresswoman and a presidential candidate we’re talking about. She deserves better — and so do all women in public office.
Penny Nance, CEO of the conservative group Concerned Women for America, also took issue with the term “Queen of Rage”:
The terminology “Queen of Rage” is so inappropriate. Michele Bachmann has been very clear about her concern about the financial health of the nation. Frankly, most of us agree with her. We felt it was very unfair to cast it in terms of rage. She’s very strong, but she wasn’t showing rage, which, the terminology suggests out of control anger.
And Women’s Media Center President Julie Burton said she doesn’t agree with Bachmann’s policies but still said the congresswoman is the “victim of media sexism”:
Surely Newsweek had a number of photographs to choose from that would have accorded the respect for Rep. Bachmann as an elected official. Would they have done this to a man? When it comes to sexism, reversibility is always a good test.
UPDATE: Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List, also chimes in, denouncing Newsweek for their unfair treatment of the Minnesota congresswoman but saying she’ll weather the storm: “[Bachmann] is very good at drowning out the background noise. Somebody with her focus knows when to pay attention to the little stuff, and this is little stuff,” she said. “But for the people around her like me who respect and admire her, it’s outrageous.”
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