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'Obama Is the Woman'

A few months ago, we wrote an item in which quoted abortion advocate Kate Michelman, who claimed that in contrast to the other presidential candidates (including Hillary Clinton), John Edwards "understands the reality of women's lives." We humorously observed that Michelman had "been won over by John Edwards's womanly charms," and this made Salon's Glenn Greenwald very, very angry:

The whole Taranto item makes cute little references to how very womanly John Edwards is. . . . I'm going to periodically chronicle this psychologically twisted tactic used continously [sic] by the Bush-following right-wing movement because, as I documented several days ago, this mentality lies at the heart of what they do. . . .

It is critical to keep in mind why so many right-wing followers have this compulsive need to feminize Democrats and liberals while (both explicitly and by effect) masculinizing themselves. . . .

We ought to have political discourse that is free of these sorts of adolescent, psychologically warped personal smears. But we don't. The right-wing political movement that has dominated the country for the last six years (at least) thrives on them. It is their nourishment.

Here's the latest example of this adolescent, twisted and warped political discourse:

Throughout history, American presidents have been men's men who puff their out chests against evil. . . . But on the Democratic campaign trail these days, where the first woman in U.S. history is making a serious run at the White House, gender roles are being swapped.

When Obama travels the country, he does not appear to worry much about posing with guns or wearing those khaki workman jackets that made Kerry look so silly in 2004. Instead, he sings an empowerment ballad on the stump that would make most lady folk singers proud. . . .

In contrast, Hillary Clinton has run her campaign with all the muscular vision and authority of the macho candidates of yesteryear. . . .

Clara Oleson . . . explained all these distinctions on a riverbank in Iowa City last week. . . . "Obama is the female candidate. Obama is the woman," she said. . . . So what does that make Hillary Clinton? "She is the male candidate--in your face, authoritative, know-it-all."

Who is this Clara Oleson, and why does she sound so much like Ann Coulter? Actually, the article we are quoting describes her as "an Iowa Democrat and former labor lawyer" who is backing "the female candidate"--that is, Obama.

The article is written by Michael Scherer, who is one of Greenwald's colleagues at Salon. Let him have it, Glenn! Don't forget to include an unflattering photo or two.

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