For Clinton Supporters, It’s Too Little Too Late

Five days after Hillary Clinton’s concession speech, it still comes as a surprise to read an op-ed piece acknowledging the historic implications of her campaign despite the repulsive wave of misogyny she faced from Obama surrogates, Democratic party leaders, and the good old boys network that continues to dominate the media.

The Washington Post’s David Broder concluded his column this morning titled “Clinton’s Remarkable Run” with these words:

‘“In the future, she {Clinton} said, ‘it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the president of the United States. And that is truly remarkable.’

“It truly is. And whatever the fates have in store for this woman, in 2012 or any other year, it is certain that this campaign will be seen as a major step forward for her -- and for other women. With Ted Kennedy's illness, she has no rival as the most influential Democrat on Capitol Hill. She came closer to breaking the White House barrier than any woman in history. Someday, she or some other woman will go all the way. Whoever that is will owe Clinton's 2008 run a huge debt.”

In response to his column, readers comments from Clinton supporters suggest that Mr. Broder’s tip of the hat to Clinton is too little and too late. Here’s a sampling:

cashmere1 wrote:
Finally, a WaPo article about Hillary Clinton that is NOT trashing her.... thank you.

However, I knew that once Hillary was out of the race, you "journalists" will start to throw Senator Clinton a few bones in order to ease your own guilty consciences!

It is so typical of you misogynists!

Of course, some of you, like Dick Morris and Jack Cafferty of CNN will NEVER have a positive word to say about Senator Clinton. THEIR hatred of her is eternal, it shows in their twisted faces!

flygirlc1722003 wrote:
CLINTON SUPPORTERS ARE YAWNING DURING THIS PORTION OF THE CAMPAIGN. NOBODY CARES ABOUT OBAMA. WE AREN'T LISTENING ANYMORE. WE KNOW WHO WE ARE VOTING FOR AND IT IS NOT OBAMA. HE IS SPENDING A 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS JUST TO LOSE IN NOVEMBER.

canaldoc wrote:
We need to have this conversation about misogyny. It pervades our culture like air-difficult to see but everywhere. I used Chris Matthews' show all last summer as a teaching tool for my youngest son on bias in the media. And, as Hillary began to come on strong, Keith Olbermann lost all perspective and I can no longer watch him. Tim Russert said the night of the WVa primary: "We need to listen carefully, like criminologists to what Hillary Clinton says tonight" David you think there is "some" sexism? Try 43, soon to be 44 male presidents with one woman nominated to a national ticket in more than 2 centuries. When there has always been competent women (can you say Abigail Adams?). I call that damning sexism and the media just displayed itself as more of the same, unable even to identify this pernicious, unconscious bias.

judy64 wrote:
Alas Mr. Broder, too little too late.

graced8669 wrote:
Bloody but unbowed, Senator Clinton.
You have represented us (women) well. I am proud to be counted as one or your many supporters!

truthtime wrote:
Of course Hillary Clinton couldn't acknowledge the "gender" issues during the campaign. That would have cost her dearly, and would have been portrayed miserably by media forces already aligned against her.

It is amazing really, that most of the punditry, even Obama's biggest shills, now talk of Hillary Clinton in a kind way.

Somewhat akin to a serial spouse abuser, the perpetrator of gender abuse is full of remorse after.

The media magnified every suggestion that someone may have played the race card, usually in an exaggerated way, while ignoring the endless examples of gender bias in their own coverage of the campaign.

Chris Matthews' thrill going up his leg for Obama was a wonderful symbol of the gender preferences exhibited by too many in the media in 2008.

It is time for some serious self-examination, with some hard decisions by management on who should continue "reporting" "news" in this post racial and, hopefully, post gender-biased society we all want to live in.