Opinion

The left’s sexism double standard

Tim Daniel Contributor
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If one is an activist, political guru or just one that watches the daily goings-on in our nation’s body politic, one has surely noted the political gamesmanship (especially pervasive from the left) that takes place on a daily basis.

Typically such one-upmanship hinges on pet liberal peccadilloes meant to malign and smear players right of center on the same old gotcha-canards of sexism, racism, bigotry, homophobia and greed.

The nation burns as leftist radicals tear at the national fabric from within, yet daily headlines scream, this congressman said this, was caught on tape saying this, or in O’Donnell’s case, O’Donnell said this, someone says she said this, that 20 years ago.

But the same rules don’t apply to gaffes and missteps made by anyone on the left — this ruling class phenomenon is so pervasive now as to be considered an absolutely predictable leftist reaction by rightists.

Why do I shed light on these things, you ask?

Senator Harry Reid referring to New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as the “hottest” member of the Senate at a fundraiser on Monday more than amply confirms the double standard that we see today (Politico):

Harry Reid had an unusual form of praise for New York’s junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, this morning at the fundraiser Mayor Bloomberg hosted for him at his townhouse — referring to her as “the hottest member” as she sat just a few feet away, according to three sources.

Before the echo of the Reid “hottest” faux paus even departed the room, the gaffe was condoned by a Reid insider. Soon thereafter, a key spokesperson for Gillibrand brushed off the comment and spoke of the synergy between the two.

How would the left react if a conservative called Gillibrand the “hottest” senator? The truth is oh-so-self-evident and once again proves the left’s sexism double standard.

If a conservative pointed out the “hotness” of a colleague or anything even perceived “sexist” in the Congressional halls of straight-jacket political correctness, the left would quickly jump into action by circling the wagons, calling for that person’s career and doing so from supposed “objective” media sources.

Pointing out blatant leftist hypocrisy in regard to key leftist figures like Harry Reid speaks to the bankruptcy of the left’s agenda and the “rules-don’t-apply-to-me-just-to-the peasants” ruling class mentality. Whether it’s “she’s hot” or “negro dialect,” you or I would be skewered for uttering such.

A sense of schadenfreude in this story is a lot different than politically-motivated “gotcha.” But to enjoy a bit of schadenfreude, the target has to be hoist by his own petard — which Harry Reid will never be.

That is, unless his words are used against him by his opponent for office in the Sagebrush State.

We can only hope.

Tim Daniel is a small business owner and entrepreneur who currently lives in San Diego, California with his wife and lovely cat. He is editor in chief of the southern California-based Left Coast Rebel blog, where this article originally appeared.