Subliminable?

Jake Tapper is wondering if Sen. Obama is using "sexist language."  He references two recent comments.  A couple of weeks ago, Sen. Obama said, "You challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out."  Then, just a few days ago, he said, "I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she's feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal."

I can kind of see the first one.  The reference to "claws" coming out does sound a bit sexist.  (I'm thinking of the famous Seinfeld "cat-fight" episode.) 

Some have said that his more recent reference to "periodically" and "feeling down" is a reference to PMS--or something.  I can't see it with "periodically."  Most everyone uses the word "periodically" without it necessarily being connected in any way with The Monthly Visitor. 

As for "feeling down," it's a bit unusual, though certainly not unheard of, for a candidate to speculate on the mental condition of their opponent.  It's not necessarily "sexist" to say that someone is "feeling down"--not unless you can connect it with "periodically" in a sexist way, which seems a stretch to me.

It is possible, of course, that these words do come from deep in Sen. Obama's psyche, and are filled with unconscious sexist intent.  Absent a consult from Dr. Freud, however, they just sound like your standard straight-out diss to me.

Comments

[Andy]

I think Mr. Tapper is stretching a little bit here. I guess, why should he report on something of substance, when he can report on nothing at all, right?

I think the media has done an absolutely terrible job this cycle. This has been more of a beauty contest, especially on the Democratic side, than a race of substance. Disappointing.

[John Petty]

Completely agree.