Hillary Clinton’s Cleavage? What’s the Big Deal?

First, let me note that there is no pun intended with the title of this post.  As a matter of fact, I could really care less about Senator’s Clinton’s breasts.  I’m more concerned with the quality of her character and the innovation and practicality of her ideas.  After 6 years an administration that has cost American taxpayers billions for the War in Iraq, trampled on our constitution, and been completely corrupt in every way imaginable, this columnist felt this item was newsworthy?

If you haven’t heard already, A Washington Post columnist, Robin, Givhan,  recently commented on Senator Clinton exposing a glimpse of, gasp, clevage during an address to the Senate about the cost of education.  She argues Senator Clinton’s “plunging” neck line instills the type of discomfort that one might feel viewing Rudy Guliani giving a speech with his shirt unbuttoned a little too far or perhaps a male with his fly unknowingly open.

Givhan even goes so far as to call this a “provocation” on Senator Clinton’s part given the setting.  Late in the article she seems to anticipate the possible criticism  and hate mail her article might generate by stating, “It doesn’t necessarily mean that a woman is asking to be objectified, but it does suggest a certain confidence and physical ease. It means that a woman is content being perceived as a sexual person in addition to being seen as someone who is intelligent, authoritative, witty and whatever else might define her personality. It also means that she feels that all those other characteristics are so apparent and undeniable, that they will not be overshadowed.”

Call it what you will, but despite the fact that Givhan’s piece appears in the fashion section and despite her urgings to the contrary, the piece comes across as sexist, objectifies women as sex objects (despite the author’s claim to the contrary), and seems like an attempt to deflect attention away from what is really important–John Edward’s $400 haircut (just kidding).

As American voters, we should be concerned with Senator Clinton’s experience and her ability to lead the country, no what she is wearing or her cup size!

~ by soundofwater on August 1, 2007.