Politics March 3, 2017
The sexism rampant along the conservative side has been well documented. (Remember that Access Hollywood tape… that somehow didn’t prevent an abuser from becoming president of the united states?)
But comments Democratic representative Cedric Richmond made about Kellyanne Conway show that the left is no better.
“You even mentioned Kellyanne and the picture on the sofa… But I really just want to know what was going on there, because, I won’t tell anybody. And you can just explain to me that — that circumstance, because she really looked kind of familiar there in that position there. But don’t answer. And I don’t want you to refer back to the ‘90s,” he said, while speaking at the Washington Press Club’s annual congressional dinner.
He was, of course, referring to the now-infamous photo of Kellyanne looking right at home in the Oval Office with her feet up on the couch as she looked at her phone. It sparked outrage and trending hashtag #couchgate on Twitter.
And while we can admit that the situation was odd, Richmond didn’t have to go there. His “back to the ‘90s” comment referred to President Bill Clinton’s infamous sexual antics in the Oval Office.
Funny how he felt comfortable using a man’s infamous indiscretions to try and discredit a high-powered woman with no such reputation. Wait, no. It’s just disappointing and sad. Look, we could argue whether or not Kellyanne is an asset for American citizens in government, but completely writing off her accomplishments or position in relation to President Trump would just be inaccurate. She’s clearly a high-level official.
And demeaning those accomplishments with sexual innuendo just because she’s a woman and was sitting a certain way, well, that’s just not acceptable – no matter your political beliefs.
Now, Kellyanne later reportedly told The Daily Caller that there would be more outrage over Richmond’s remarks if she were “a liberal woman” and “pro-abortion” — and that is something that is absolutely fair game to criticize.
Can we first just clarify that no one is pro-abortion, it’s about giving women the choice and control over their own bodies? Also, we’d like to have faith that no matter the affiliation, women will see this comment for what it is – sexist and offensive – regardless of who it was aimed at.
Richmond later tried to clarify, claiming that the “familiar” comment merely meant that Kellyanne was “behaving too comfortably.” And while we would agree with that definition, the congressman’s non-apology just came off as insincere.
RELATED: 9 Facts About Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s Right-Hand Woman
Perhaps Richmond felt “too comfortable” making such as low-brow joke at a political gathering. Bottom line is – sure, come for Kellyanne Conway. She is not a great ally for women or feminism. She’s beyond problematic and literally tried to use her platform to sell Ivanka Trump’s questionable shoes.
But don’t target her body or her looks, or spew some sexist joke. You’re just making your whole party look bad. Be better than that.
