Hillary: Fight Like A Woman

How much criticism will Hillary take before she hides behind her ovaries? Oh wait, her supporters already are:

The criticisms followed Penn’s assertion that Clinton was “unflappable.” He also said criticisms from Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) would backfire and that he was already “detecting some backlash,” particularly among female voters.

Those female voters are saying, “Sen. Clinton needs our support now more than ever if we’re going to see this six-on-one to try to bring her down,” Penn told those on the campaign call.

One challenge her opponents face when mildly noting her conflicting opinions, is looking like a meanie. Of course, with Obama and Edwards making the snarky, indirect comments themselves, it seems like a silly girl fight all the way around. Are the Democrats incapable of finding a straight-talking man or woman?

If Hillary can't take a gentle remonstration from a couple soft, middle-aged, politically correct American metrosexuals, how is she going to handle a racist, sexist despot? Just a note to feminists: when your candidate adopts the poor-me sensibility and when you rally to her when she "loses her footing" instead of telling her to get back on the horse and ride the damn thing, you perpetuate the notion that women are weak and need to be treated differently than men. Strong women, of strong opinions everywhere, find this offensive.

Here's my underlying concern: I think a lot of right-leaning women are sick to death of the predominately male leaders. They figure if a man is going to be this much of a pig, or pervert, or criminal, why not have a woman do the job? She can't possibly be worse. (Nancy Pelosi's record notwithstanding.) It's time for change! We need some ovaries, say disgruntled women. Beating up on Hillary may turn those women toward her, no matter her inane positions.

The risk of not confronting her is greater, though. It would be sexist, not to mention generally stupid, to let Hillary's inconsistent, Leftist politics go unchallenged. The presidential prize is not the latest experiment in equal rights, the results are real.

This is a dangerous time to be pussy-footing around a candidate who would be the first woman president. She needs the tough questions. She needs to demonstrate her ability to handle tough characters. Tim Russert, and Barack Obama and John Edwards, too, are hardly tough characters. If she can't handle them, what does that say about her ability to preside?

Hillary needs to pull on her big-girl pants, as my brother says. She needs to fight like a woman.