May 21, 2008
IF Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, what kind of fury can millions of women unleash?
Last night, Barack Obama delivered a much-anticipated speech following the Oregon and Kentucky primaries. After letting it leak that he'd be declaring victory, the Obama campaign pulled back - seemingly wary of the brewing backlash among Hillary supporters.
Speaking to the Iowa crowd, he celebrated the milestone of earning the majority of pledged delegates (the equivalent of victory) but generously added that it put him only "within reach of the Democratic nomination."
He said, "No matter how this primary ends, Sen. Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers and changed the America in which my daughters and yours will come of age." He praised her as "one of the most formidable candidates to ever run for this office."
Looming behind his speech was a primal scream from female Clinton supporters enraged over her treatment.
Clinton told The Washington Post this week that she's disturbed by the level of sexism in this campaign, calling it "deeply offensive to millions of women." Geraldine Ferraro accused Obama himself of being sexist.
"Clinton Supporters Count Too," a women's group, is threatening to boycott the election and abandon the Democratic Party. A spokesperson says, "If Hillary Clinton is not the nominee, we will not support the nominee."
WomenCountPAC ran a full-page New York Times ad, "Not So Fast," warning against pressure for her to drop out. A liberal blog highlighted the ad, telling readers, "At least the DNC and the others will know that we are not going quietly and we will make trouble for them in the fall."
What are they so upset about? A few highlights:
* Mike Barnicle on MSNBC: "When she reacts the way, she reacts to Obama with just the look . . . looking like everyone's first wife standing outside a probate court."
* Male pundit on Fox News: "When men hear Hillary Clinton speak, they hear, 'Take out the trash.' "
