Now that Hillary Clinton looks to have fallen short in her bid for the Democratic nomination, the debate has turned to why. Which brings us to today’s Face-Off. Comments and opinions are encouraged as the Donkey Dish staff ponders …

HAS SEXISM HURT HILLARY CLINTON IN THE DEMOCRATIC RACE?

YES by frankroosevelt

I personally support Sen. Hillary Clinton, but I totally expect, and even welcome, people to disagree with me and support Sen. Barack Obama.

What I can’t believe is the way in which some people do so.

Hillary Clinton is a political giant - a former First Lady, a U.S. Senator, and the first serious female presidential candidate in the 232-year history of the United States. She’s the ultimate heavyweight.

Yet simply because of her gender, such an accomplished figure is subjected to cheap shots and stereotypes male candidates are able to avoid.

People frequently insult the candidates they do not favor, and HRC’s track record invites its share of reasonable scrutiny. Not bumper stickers such as “Hillary: Stop Running for President and Make Me a Sandwich.”

Sexism is not limited to select misogynistic fools, however. Look no further than your mainstream media outlet of choice.

Clinton, from the start of her White House bid, has been called everything from overbearing and unapproachable to downright mean. That is, when her clothing choices aren’t being picked apart in alarming detail.

She’s acts tough, and she’s called a bitch. She’s ambitious - like every single figure in the history of American politics - and she’s labeled an opportunist. For Hillary alone, these are seen as liabilities, not strengths.

From her tone to her appearance, and from her emotions to her credentials, Hillary Clinton’s treatment in her pursuit of the Democratic nomination has been regularly tinged, if not overtly so, with underlying sexist tones.

NO by woodywilson

There are many reasons why Hillary Clinton will not be the Democratic nominee for President.

• Many people consider her to be untrustworthy after her Bosnia sniper story debacle.
• Others think she’ll say anything to anyone in order to secure a vote (see holiday, gas tax).
• A portion of the population were shell-shocked to see her using Republican-like scare tactics, such as her infamous 3 a.m. commercial.

No rational-minded individual, however, can point to sexism as having played any role in the demise of Hillary Clinton.

For starters, it discredits Barack Obama. Is it so hard to believe that he won this race as much as Hillary lost it? During a time when both foreign and domestic policies are in shambles, citizens hunger for a change.

Obama represents change - via his name, his skin color, his oratory skills, his resistance to typical political posturing - more than any candidate in history.

Secondly, those pushing the sexism angle in this election need to revisit the basic concept of women’s rights. Isn’t the goal of this movement to be on equal footing with men? Are there any concrete examples during the 2008 Democratic race where that has not been the case?

Isn’t it possible that people can dislike Hillary Clinton simply because she’s Hillary Clinton? By using sexism as an excuse, those trying to support the women’s movement are actually stopping it in its tracks.

They are making it seem like a lowly female is getting bullied around by a male when, in fact, Obama is the candidate who (inappropriately) is considered soft.

In the end, Hillary Clinton isn’t equal to Barack Obama because she’s an insincere, fear-mongering panderer. The problem is in her brain, not any other body parts.

What do you think? Has sexism hurt Hillary Clinton’s White House bid?