R e - P e t e

The Time for Women is Now

..except it’s not the woman you’re thinking of.

My last entry spoke of my respect for Michelle Obama. There are two new women I’d like to say that I have a new found respect for: Maureen Dowd and Gail Collins.

They are both op-ed columnists at New York Times. I’ve had a great time following their take on the Democratic nomination race. Their columns are often funny, insightful and on-point.

Gail Collin’s latest piece Hillary, Buckeye Girl speaks of the race going on in Ohio. Here’s a quote that I particularly enjoyed:

At the debate on Tuesday, Clinton followed through on her promise to hit Obama hard on campaign fliers that she said mischaracterized her positions on trade and health care. She had been billing this confrontation in terms usually reserved for professional wrestling grudge matches. But earlier that day, a right-wing radio commentator at a John McCain rally denounced Obama in terms so over the top that McCain felt obliged to apologize. After that, a sloppy quotation mark in a Nafta pamphlet sounded pretty petty.

This is in reference to Bill Cunningham (supposed well-known conservative radio personality) going on a rant about Barack HUSSSSEEEIIINNNNN Obama:

I don’t know if either of them are supporting Hillary or Barack in this race. I think they’ve deconstructed the politics quite well. Gail writes:

Back around Debate 10 — lo those many debates ago — Hillary routinely wiped the floor with Barack. He was reluctant and stumbling. She was confident and presidential. Then, as Adam Nagourney pointed out in The Times this week, he suddenly evolved. Now, he’s better than she is — calm and witty at crucial junctures, always to the point, never obsessing on the small stuff. After this week’s Debate 20, Hillary’s people gloated over the fact that Barack had said he agreed with her entirely on several key points, as if this was an admission of weakness rather than the key to his campaign — the promise to find whatever consensus there is and build on it.

Perhaps I’m a bit biased since their analysis typically shows Obama in a better light and Hillary in a not-so glamorous light. Would an unbiased person agree?

Anyway, what can I say but that I’m a new fan of both of them. Kudos!

Gail Collins’ Columns
Maureen Dowd’s Columns

Gutsy Obama

Well-spoken, inspirational, frank, gutsy.. these are the words I would use to describe Michelle Obama, wife of Barack Obama.

Last week, she was attacked for a comment she made regarding being proud of America. Here is the exact quote with a few sentences of context:

But what we’ve learned over this is that hope is making a comeback. For the first time in my adult life I’m proud of my country.. and not just because barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. i’ve seen people who hungry to be unified around some basic common issue and it makes me proud. and i feel privileged to be a part of even witnessing this…

Most of the pundits have let go of this. Some acknowledge that it was a poor choice of words not conveying what she truly felt. Others simply make sarcastic, bitter remarks about things she should be proud of.

I think it’s quite clear, from the context, what she was saying. And I’m left wondering why some columnists out there are even bothering to reference this?

See it for yourself: