Politics

Carly Fiorina Plays The ‘Sexist’ Victim Card

Matt K. Lewis Senior Contributor
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Just as Carly Fiorina was starting to impress, she decided to play the victim card. “If I may say, and I don’t say this very often — the people who keep saying I’m in this for vice president, that’s sexist,” she declared Wednesday on Laura Ingraham’s radio show.

(This foray into the world of identity politics wasn’t a gaffe. Fiorina stood by the “sexist” assertion later on Fox News’ “Hannity.”)

“No one talks about the men being in it to be veep,” Fiorina explained to Ingraham.

Except, we do. Perhaps Fiorina missed all the times that Scott Walker dropped Marco Rubio’s name as his possible running mate.

Or maybe she missed this MSNBC segment, titled: “Is Rubio really running for vice president?” (is this a case of anti-Cuban bigotry?). What about the time CNN asked Ben Carson if he would consider running on a ticket led by Donald Trump (obviously a racist question)? Or how about this HotAir.com headline, “Bobby Jindal to announce he’s running for (vice) president” (anti-Indian American?).

I could go on — but what’s the point? Fiorina’s statement that “No one talks about the men being in to be veep” is provably false.

So is it fair for people to speculate that Fiorina might make a good running mate and that her candidacy might have always been premised on shooting for the moon and settling for the stars?

Of course it’s fair. Fiorina might be having a moment right now, but we’re still talking about someone who’s never been elected to anything, who was apparently forced out of her job as CEO, and who lost a recent bid for U.S. Senate in California. What is more, despite the fact that she’s polling well enough to be included in the upcoming CNN debate, it’s not like she’s in first or second place.

Having said that, Fiorina has done well for herself. She’s tough, articulate, and has the ability to go after Hillary Clinton. One could certainly understand why a Republican nominee might want her on the ticket.

My apologies if this compliment comes across as sexist.

Note: The author’s wife advises Rick Perry and formerly consulted for Ted Cruz’s Senate campaign.