Just in case you wanted to know if our newly-minted Miss America, Teresa Scanlan, thinks the Michelle Bachmann Newsweek cover is sexist, here you have it:
“I absolutely think so. Not because there’s a difference of political opinions there, but because Newsweek has had other candidates who they haven’t agreed with — they’ve had Rush Limbaugh on the cover, they had former candidates [Mike] Huckabee and [John] McCain on their covers –- and whenever they have a male on their cover, even if they don’t agree with them as far as policy goes, they portray them in a serious light, they take them seriously and they portray them in a positive light. Then, as we saw two years ago with the Sarah Palin cover in her running shorts, and then now with Michele Bachmann. They simply try to degrade women and make fun of them and portray them in a negative light — and I think that shows extreme sexism.”
I’ve seen this comment get thrown around a lot
… lately. Let’s forget, for a moment, that Newsweek’s editor is a woman. Are …the past covers of McCain or Huckabee or Rush Limbaugh all fair and serious, and the portrayals of women all sexist? How about the cover of Newsweek that called Obama Mr. Cool and McCain Mr. Hot?
I wouldn’t exactly call that too favorable, given that it’s implying McCain has a runaway temper he can’t control. It doesn’t make him seem serious — it makes him seem reckless.
Or what about the joint cover with McCain and Palin? Was preferential treatment given to McCain over Palin?
Looks pretty even-handed to me. They’re both smiling, they’re both being shot from the chest up, they’re both dressed conservatively.
How about the Rush Limbaugh cover?
Let’s see: they’re censoring his mouth — a move that would be considered extremely sexist were this a picture of a female pundit. They’ve got a picture of Limbaugh mid-rant, making him look like a blowhard and the tagline — “A conservative’s case against Limbaugh” makes it clear that this is not exactly going to be a favorable piece.
The three Sarah Palin Newsweek covers that you’re likely familiar with — the close-up of her face that was deemed sexist, the picture of her in her running shorts and the picture of her with the rifle slung over her shoulders — are probably burned enough in your memory that you don’t need a reminder. Maybe they’re sexist, or maybe they’re accurately capturing a ridiculous woman.
I mean, they didn’t exactly tart up Hillary Clinton, did they?
But back to Bachmann. We cannot decide that any attack against a woman is an attack against women. Bachmann is a ridiculous person who is constantly spewing nonsensical hate against a variety of people. Is it so shocking or unexpected that she will receive hate in return? She is the Queen of Rage, she is deluded and demented. What is sexist about a cover that captures her ideals, her words and her general insanity? What is the difference between “Mr. Hot,” “ENOUGH” and “The Queen of Rage”?
Conservatives have got to stop treating Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann like china dolls that will break at the slightest impact. If they want to throw punches — and they so often do — it is neither surprising nor sexist that they will receive punches in return. And to cry “sexism” or “foul” is a form of self-sexism that is all the more revolting.
When did Rupert Murdoch buy Newsweek? (smartass response)
If you follow anyone around long enough, you will be able to take MANY unflattering pictures of them.
While I’m not seeing this as sexist,I don’t feel that this is responsible or honorable journalism. Newsweek has sunk to the same level as Weekly World News, in my opinion.
Then again, Michelle Bachman is a flaming nutjob. My opinion, of course.
Its just another example of the blatant bias of mainstream media against conservatives,and Americans are tired of it,one of reasons that Fox News is growing in popularity and everyone else is loosing numbers. Ms Bachmann seems to care less,as she stated on Meet the Press,with the vanishing AAA credit rating and 30 young Americans dying in Afghanistan,along with several trillion dollars worth of new debt piling on,its hard to get excited about a magazine cover. I think I’m in love!!
Before you get all hot and bothered, Joey – please read some of the stuff on this site:
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/06/michele-bachmann-greatest-hits
The level of conservatism preached by this woman is frightening. I’m all for fiscal restraint, but she is wayyyyyyyyyyy out there on so many issues.
P.S. You do know that Rupert Murdoch owns Fox, don’t you? Do you really think it’s good for a mega-gazillionaire from Autralia to be in a position to sway the voting public?
I do not. The man is a proven asshole.
I don’t worry about Murdoch’s influence much,he is conservative,and from a Democratic background. I do worry about George Sorros,he is an admitted anti-American socialist,and the sugardaddy of Obama and the new left. I read your MotherJones stuff,none of it was too terribly bothersome. Michelle is a Evangelical,and I don’t much care for that,but I’ll take that over the Fabian Socialist we have now. Its funny how Barack can announce his political career in the living room of a man who fire-bombed the WhiteHouse,and people will overlook that,but by God don’t get too religious on us,or we’ll freakout. Anyhow,nice hearing from you Blur,I’ve missed you,figured you ran off to Belize with your new massage therapists!
I didn’t make it to Central America this year. I bought a new house instead :)
Mother jones? HA HA HA.
I’d rather have Murdoch than that NAZI Geo. Soros. Yes a real Nazi, look it up.
It wasn’t an either or situation, dorkneut.
Fox News is popular because people want a different bias?
I think Fox News is popular because:
1. A lot of people actually watch it for laughs.
2. Those who are computer savvy (thus younger, likely well educated) tend to pursue news outlets online. Leaving the older “what’s an address bar? Let me look to see what The Google says” folks to watch TV.
Best cover coverage: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-9-2011/glazed-and-confused
Frankly, I’m just impressed that Miss America made such a cogent statement.
Yeah, yeah, I know…
That was sexist…
The Newsweek cover is “sexist”? Not sure I get that message. Then again, that’s Miss America talking here. Pot, meet kettle.
On the other hand, some snarky British photojournalists of the Daily Telegraph caught a less-than-flattering photo of Ms. Bachmann eating a corndog in a rather salacious manner. Here’s proof:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyharnden/100100848/fried-food-and-retail-politics-at-the-iowa-state-fair/
FYI: I am not a Bachmann supporter, either. The woman just scares me with her ultra-right, irrational worldviews.
You are all sheeple. If you watch any TV news you’re are being fed bullshit by either a Nazi (George Soros) or another Nazi (Ruffie Murdock).
Think for yourselves and fuck the power. All government is oppression.
Fight the oligarchs and the lick-spittle lackey (Barrock Hussein On his knees before Goldman Sachs) of the Wall St. war machine.
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