Pelosi: Cleaning House and Hanging Up New Curtains
While looking up information about first woman Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, I came across many blogs that discussed her fashion sense, standpoints on issues, and her seemingly hard demeanor and her attempts to use humor. I was curious if her treatment in the media was similar to that of Hillary Clinton, seeing as she is a powerful government official.
While researching what other House members and what the general public thinks of Pelosi it was interesting, but not surprising to read some of the comments that others had said of her. The most memorable and most audacious came from our President George W. Bush, whom on learning of her appointment said “"in my first act of bipartisan outreach since the election, I shared with her the names of some Republican interior decorators who can help her pick out the new drapes in her new offices”. What?? The first woman ever elected to be the Speaker of the House, and the President is referring her to an interior decorator? Joke or not, I found this to be incredibly demeaning to women as well as a representation that our government is still a “good old boys” club, no matter how many women are making history. While researching the comment further, I was reminded of some of our topics we have discussed earlier. One was the unmediated blogs’ reporting of news that the mainstream media didn’t, the press’s portrayal and analysis of female politicians in relation to men and Pelosi’s attempts at humor in her communication.
The blogosphere definitely had much more focus on the comment made than anything in the mainstream media. I didn’t even know it had been said until I actively sought out information on Nancy Pelosi. Offended bloggers for the most part were Democratic or Liberal leaning, but even some Republicans touted this as one of George W’s biggest gaffes. Not only was it mentioned in blogs, but some newspapers also offered critcism in opinion editorials, to read one of these click here, which is very similar to the blog reactions, here. It is hard to try and guess what reason that the mainstream media, for the most part ignored this statement. Was it because people took the statement as an attempt at humor, or in a male dominated press industry was it just not seen as that big of a deal?
Pelosi’s portrayal in the media is also extremely different than that of men, which might also be attributed to the male dominated press. Even the Associated Press has stooped as low as saying, “House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives on Capitol Hill Nov. 8, 2006, in Washington dressed in an Armani aqua blue-grey pantsuit [.]” I honestly do not see any relevance whatsoever to what she is wearing and her new job. There would be a lot more head scratching and puzzlement if the AP had reported that Bush looked dashing in his new Kenneth Cole suit. A male politician would never have to worry that his fashion choices were going to be the subject of intense media scrutiny. A feminist blog also criticizes the AP’s reporting here and a picture of the talked about pantsuit. But, unfortunately the more I researched her troubles, I found that Pelosi is definitely not the only woman who has had to face this issue. Both Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice have recently been under pressure for their appearance choices, with the former being reported as having millions of surgery done to be less “hideous”, and the latter being called a “dominatrix” because of her shoes. On the day Rice was sworn in as National Security Advisor, The New York Times, reported that “her dress size is between a 6 and an 8”. It’s an entirely different media relationship when you are a woman in power. I found these examples to be interesting because it is a lot different to know a theory of women are treated, but to actually see how it occurs, made me realize how ridiculous it is.
Although usually described as “tough” and a “hard liner”, Pelosi has also made attempts at the use of humor in her speeches and actively tries to destroy the old myth that women aren’t funny. References to her humor are very reminiscent of Ann Richards. There is a hint of self deprecating, feminist, and superiority humor in her communications. While giving a speech and the crowd grew too loud, she quipped, “'Am I going to have to use my Mother of Five Voice to be heard?'". She has even admitted to using sexist humor in a deliberate attempt to make a point. This was evident in her pun to CNN, saying "Maybe it takes a woman to clean House." Interestingly enough, the excerpts that I just inserted were from a generally feminist leading website and they are VERY critical of Pelosi’s use of humor. Which I didn't really understand as I found it to be particularly effective.
In general I found Pelosi to be a very compelling public figure and I hope, though doubt it will happen any time soon, that she is given more respect in the mainstream media, that the press in general treats women and men politicians the same, and a greater acceptance of her usage of humor. After all, while the humor may not have even been the greatest joke, she could’ve just been trying to avoid being called “un human” like Hillary.
While researching what other House members and what the general public thinks of Pelosi it was interesting, but not surprising to read some of the comments that others had said of her. The most memorable and most audacious came from our President George W. Bush, whom on learning of her appointment said “"in my first act of bipartisan outreach since the election, I shared with her the names of some Republican interior decorators who can help her pick out the new drapes in her new offices”. What?? The first woman ever elected to be the Speaker of the House, and the President is referring her to an interior decorator? Joke or not, I found this to be incredibly demeaning to women as well as a representation that our government is still a “good old boys” club, no matter how many women are making history. While researching the comment further, I was reminded of some of our topics we have discussed earlier. One was the unmediated blogs’ reporting of news that the mainstream media didn’t, the press’s portrayal and analysis of female politicians in relation to men and Pelosi’s attempts at humor in her communication.
The blogosphere definitely had much more focus on the comment made than anything in the mainstream media. I didn’t even know it had been said until I actively sought out information on Nancy Pelosi. Offended bloggers for the most part were Democratic or Liberal leaning, but even some Republicans touted this as one of George W’s biggest gaffes. Not only was it mentioned in blogs, but some newspapers also offered critcism in opinion editorials, to read one of these click here, which is very similar to the blog reactions, here. It is hard to try and guess what reason that the mainstream media, for the most part ignored this statement. Was it because people took the statement as an attempt at humor, or in a male dominated press industry was it just not seen as that big of a deal?
Pelosi’s portrayal in the media is also extremely different than that of men, which might also be attributed to the male dominated press. Even the Associated Press has stooped as low as saying, “House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives on Capitol Hill Nov. 8, 2006, in Washington dressed in an Armani aqua blue-grey pantsuit [.]” I honestly do not see any relevance whatsoever to what she is wearing and her new job. There would be a lot more head scratching and puzzlement if the AP had reported that Bush looked dashing in his new Kenneth Cole suit. A male politician would never have to worry that his fashion choices were going to be the subject of intense media scrutiny. A feminist blog also criticizes the AP’s reporting here and a picture of the talked about pantsuit. But, unfortunately the more I researched her troubles, I found that Pelosi is definitely not the only woman who has had to face this issue. Both Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice have recently been under pressure for their appearance choices, with the former being reported as having millions of surgery done to be less “hideous”, and the latter being called a “dominatrix” because of her shoes. On the day Rice was sworn in as National Security Advisor, The New York Times, reported that “her dress size is between a 6 and an 8”. It’s an entirely different media relationship when you are a woman in power. I found these examples to be interesting because it is a lot different to know a theory of women are treated, but to actually see how it occurs, made me realize how ridiculous it is.
Although usually described as “tough” and a “hard liner”, Pelosi has also made attempts at the use of humor in her speeches and actively tries to destroy the old myth that women aren’t funny. References to her humor are very reminiscent of Ann Richards. There is a hint of self deprecating, feminist, and superiority humor in her communications. While giving a speech and the crowd grew too loud, she quipped, “'Am I going to have to use my Mother of Five Voice to be heard?'". She has even admitted to using sexist humor in a deliberate attempt to make a point. This was evident in her pun to CNN, saying "Maybe it takes a woman to clean House." Interestingly enough, the excerpts that I just inserted were from a generally feminist leading website and they are VERY critical of Pelosi’s use of humor. Which I didn't really understand as I found it to be particularly effective.
In general I found Pelosi to be a very compelling public figure and I hope, though doubt it will happen any time soon, that she is given more respect in the mainstream media, that the press in general treats women and men politicians the same, and a greater acceptance of her usage of humor. After all, while the humor may not have even been the greatest joke, she could’ve just been trying to avoid being called “un human” like Hillary.
posted by MaryEsler | 10:13 PM
1 Comments:
I really never thought too much into the whole idea of women (particularly involved in politics)being evaluated on their fashion sense and clothing sizes. This is probably because I have never really paid as much attention as I should have when it comes to government affairs and American politics.
Basing my response solely on your blog, I can completely agree that it is absurd for the media to comment on trivial things such as the type or designer of the suit she (or even he) is wearing. But it got me thinking.. where are these ideas that looks and style are important -- particularly with women -- coming from?
In a sense, I'm thinking we, ourselves, as women are placing these ideas into the media just as much as they are dishing them out. What do 90% of women's magazines focus on? Style, body image, fashion, whats hot, whats not.. And these topics are O.K. and keep reappearing in our media because we support them with the purchase of these magazines, or books, etc. Now, this is not to say that our interests outside of serious issues involving diplomacy should reflect on our buying habits, but its definitely something to think about. Most of what women show interest in has to do with "how she looks" or "what designer shes wearing." Maybe this is allowing media to give a basis as to why these irrelevant comments are showing up in inappropriate places, like politics.
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