Chicago Tribune “public editor” Timothy McNulty claimed on Friday that he has been sensitized to a gross indignity: stories referring to Hillary Rodham Clinton as merely “Hillary.” Prodded by feminists, he claimed that this indignity deserves exploring, even as he acknowledges that Hillary uses “Hillary!” as a first-person promotional tool in her own campaign. As Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post blew it off in his online chat today: “I used to have the same concern until HRC began running for office and promoting herself as "Hillary" on her Web site, in literature, etc. If it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me.”
The prodding feminist McNulty quotes in the piece is online Tribune editor Jane Fritsch, formerly of The New York Times, who wrote McNulty in an e-mail that "The simple fact is that Hillary Rodham Clinton is running in a field of men who are never referred to by their first names...The argument that we call her Hillary to avoid confusion is a weak one. There are easy alternatives. ... Certainly the problem created by the existence of two presidents named George Bush has been a difficult one, but we found ways to solve it without diminishing George W. Bush."
It’s a little dissonant for the feminists to defend Hillary’s tolerance for adultery in her marriage by insisting “if it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for me,” but not take this position on newspaper headlines. But McNulty overcame his own doubts, writing that in politics, “the use of a name, a nickname or even initials has a double edge. Some radio and television commentators (you know who you are, Bill O'Reilly) pronounce it with a special emphasis and ‘Hill-ary’ is meant to sound diminutive and dismissive, and often accompanied by an eye roll.”
McNulty doesn’t seem to investigate beyond the headlines. He notes stories like “Hillary’s once-in-a-lifetime journey” (on a fairly positive Kathleen Parker column from February) and “With Hillary books, fairness doesn’t sell.” Don’t the articles matter at least as much as the headline? It’s easier to suggest that the last headline (a recent piece by Alicia Shepard on the liberal-media-elite Hillary biographies) is plainly more insulting to conservative Hillary-questioning authors (like Brent Bozell and moi) than it is to Hillary.
(Hat tip: Romenesko)
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.




















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Instead of haranguing those
June 11, 2007 - 20:52 ET by motherbeltInstead of haranguing those who use the term, maybe these guys should work on "Hillary!" herself. That's obviously how she wants to be known (you know, let's have a conversation"...the kaffeklatch Presidency maybe?) Maybe they can convince her it's demeaning.
Oh, I get it. It's OK for HER to promote herself as Hillary! but diminishing for others to follow her lead.
What kind of offensive BS is
June 12, 2007 - 12:26 ET by JimboWhat kind of offensive BS is that?? I hope you have enjoyed your 1 week here at newsbusters.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
Right on Jimbo.
June 12, 2007 - 12:33 ET by Cool ArrowThanks for saying what I was laughing too hard to put into words.
How sad, pathetic and empty
June 11, 2007 - 21:01 ET by ckc1227How sad, pathetic and empty must one's life be to obsess over such non-issues? So desperate to slam men and find "inequality" at every turn that they can't see the forest for the trees. There's a reason they don't use her full name. It's because the woman, like her or not, has achieved such a level of recognition and success that using her full name isn't necessary. It's a credit to the woman, not a slam, or sexist. I bet 90% of the male candidates WISH they were as well-known.
I think I'll have a bumper sticker made that says "Sad, Pathetic, and Empty: It's the Feminist Way". My second version could say "Kill A Baby Today: It's The Feminist Way".
I bet 90% of the male candi
June 12, 2007 - 05:42 ET by motherbeltI bet 90% of the male candidates WISH they were as well-known.
Well, we could end up with a President Rudy......
“I used to have the same
June 11, 2007 - 21:10 ET by CrimsonfistedHRC resonates with me as HER ROYAL whatever.
And what is with this BEGAN stuff. Hasn't she been manuevering since 1960?
WhatAMaroon
Hasn't she been manuevering
June 11, 2007 - 21:25 ET by motherbeltHasn't she been manuevering since 1960?-crimsonfisted
Possibly before that. The SNL spoof of her and Chris Matthews has the HRC character saying, "I've been running for President since I was 5 years old!!" And that doesn't seem like such a stretch.
motherbelt,Actually, The Hi
June 11, 2007 - 21:36 ET by Dave Rmotherbelt,
Actually, The Hildebeast (talk about demeaning) isn't actually running for President of the United States.
She is auditioning to become this country's first Marxist dictator.
-And that doesn't seem like much of a stretch, either.
Build the damn fence, George!
Her Royal Heinousness (Hide
June 11, 2007 - 21:38 ET by Dave RHer Royal Heinousness (Hideousness, perhaps?)
:-O
Build the damn fence, George!
Hillary
June 11, 2007 - 21:33 ET by viluzionI wonder how McNulty would feel about 'Wicked Witch of the West Wing'.
Hello, all,May I kindly go of
June 11, 2007 - 21:36 ET by BlondeHello, all,
May I kindly go off on a DENNIS MILLER style rant?
This witch, whom we all call "Hillary", wishes to be considered for the nomination for the President of the United States of America? Because she (supposedly) slept with one...a President...her husband? D'oh!
And her defenders... or not...would happily call her CHER?
Which is it? One name? Or not?
Or as those of us of the conservative persuasion would call her? A mealy-mouthed apologist socialist-following lying bimbo, who is, at the drop of a hat, a semi-receptive female, a pandering wife to a husband/whore?
So let Hillary (yes, you now have one name, you wretched bimbo...just like Cher).
I am so totally appalled that anyone in their right mind would possibly think that I, as a woman, would vote for another woman, well....you know, just because.
Hillary...I'll take you on, you witch!
Bring it on.
Nothing sexist at all, Hillary.
It's all about substance, and style. I shall laugh at your lack of both.
I can't wait for your national loss.....and the tatoo of "L" on your forehead...madame socialist!
Blonde
June 11, 2007 - 21:44 ET by Dave RBecause she (supposedly) slept with one...a President...her husband? D'oh!
Ahh, actually, we only have evidence that this horrid event (probably traumatic as hell for ol' Billy Joe Bob) happened only once.
Then again, Chelsea could have very well come by way of the turkey baster.
Build the damn fence, George!
blonde ???
June 11, 2007 - 21:47 ET by LionKingIs all of this really just for SHillary or are "we" suffering from Post Soprano Syndrome? [everything has to have a name]
LK....perhaps post Soprano's.
June 11, 2007 - 21:51 ET by BlondeLK....perhaps post Soprano's.
But I think I've had that taken out of my system today....after all of the blather.
But, my Hillary Derangement knows no bounds. I despise that woman. Every way from the first. No limits.
Absolute hate and detesting. Pure hatred. Go figure....and I'm a nice girl!
Hiya Blonde,You have have hat
June 12, 2007 - 00:31 ET by jmad627Hiya Blonde,
You have have hate for the PIAPS, I have fear.
I have a fear for our armed forces in harms way, and by extension the rest of our beloved and honorable U.S.A., if she is elected.
I was watching Hannity & Pinhead, and Dick Morris scared the $hit out of me with his prediction that Shillary will be elected our next POTUS. May the good Lord help us all if he is correct in his assesment.
How do you tell when that gu
June 12, 2007 - 07:11 ET by dahliatraversHow do you tell when that guy is giving an honest opinion and when he's earning a fee?
Exactly what I was thinking,
June 11, 2007 - 22:17 ET by dahliatraversExactly what I was thinking, Blonde. Why does a first name reference demean her but not Cher, Ah-nold or Godzilla?
(Okay, possibly that last example is not completely valid ...)
(Okay, possibly that last exa
June 11, 2007 - 22:21 ET by(Okay, possibly that last example is not completely valid ...)
Why? it's been Hideki Matsui's moniker for years.
At least she escaped the land of the three names people ;)
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
dahlia...That was the best of
June 11, 2007 - 22:37 ET by Blondedahlia...
That was the best of all...Godzilla equals Hillary. LMAO. Seriously.
Well, I guess I wasn't too successful in my Dennis Miller-style rant.
Otherwise, I'd be known henceforth, and evermore, as "Blonde Rants", or somesuch.
I tried it on for size...didn't fit.
Guess I won't have a BlondeNation radio show soon. Too bad...I wanted to be so rich that when I got pulled over with a DUI I got let out of jail, for free.... a la Paris. Sorry, couldn't resist that bratty comment.
Too bad, so sad, guess I'll have to go back to work tomorrow! Happily, BTW.
What a shallow, superficial s
June 11, 2007 - 22:39 ET by Atomic CrusaderWhat a shallow, superficial spectacle being foist upon us by the MSM and this hollow candidate and her phony campaign. That she would run for "president" because she is a "woman." And nothing more. Is it not painfully apparent that this is one very compulsively mixed up person? Way back it was "Hillary Cllinton" then the bait and switch and its "Hillary Rodham Clinton" and then its just "Hillary" and if you notice on the placards today at her rallies its back to "Hillary Clinton." Why not just go with "Clinton" Hmmm? And lord forbid she gets the office it'll be "President Hillary." Enough...enough.
Limbaugh is widely ridiculed
June 11, 2007 - 23:42 ET by Del DolemonteLimbaugh is widely ridiculed by the left, but he said recently that Sir Edmund Hillary has an 80 percent chance of being our next Commander-in-Chief. He's right. Be very afraid!
Remember, a total hack, Jean-Claude Kerry, was given a 15 point boost by the "objective" media in 2004 (per Newsweek's Evan Thomas, who admitted it before it even happened). If the media had honestly reported the Swift Boat story, Kerry would have lost by 15 points, not the narrow margin that was the final result.
I can think of a few good nam
June 11, 2007 - 23:32 ET by mikejI can think of a few good names to call her if they are looking for suggestions.
Hitlery?
Hilary Rob'em Clinton?
Air Hilary (after her admission that she plays pickup basketball. This in spite of the fact that at no time over the 15 years that she has been in the public eye has anyone seen her with a basketball.)
So now I have come up with some more names combined with a few other of her less than convincing claims.
Jarhead Rob'em Clinton (for when she tried to join the Marines)
Anjehilary Jolie Pitt Clinton (for when she and Bill were thinking of adopting a child.)
Hilary Abominable Snowthing Clinton for when she said she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who climbed Mount Everest.
Hilary Lou Pinella Clinton for when she was a Yankees fan when she lived in Chicago. They both have the same temperment and people skills.
Hillary Mallard Clinton for when she told upstate New Yorkers she had been a "duck hunter.”
Hilary I make Al Gore's claims look somewhat believable Clinton for when she claimed on Sept. 11 daughter Chelsea was jogging around the World Trade Center
Hilary Tammy Wynnette Clinton for standing by her man when she claimed that she believed Bill when he claimed that "I never had sex with that woman-Miss Lewinski" for the benefit of poll numbers.
Hillary I'm sorry were you talking to me? Clinton for last but not least, the 216 times she testified that she couldn't remember details associated with her work on Castle Grande.(in spite of being the smartest woman in the world)
As we have seen recently wit
June 11, 2007 - 23:32 ET by Del DolemonteAs we have seen recently with the laughable tenures of the "public editors" at the NY Times (Barney Calame) and WaPo (Ms. Howell) any opinions issued by such people are totally predictable, and easily dismissed.
So far, here in New Hampshire all of the campaign posters and bumper stickers I've seen for Hilly only mention her first name, followed by a !
Move along folks, nothing to see here.
A couple of thoughts on "Hillary" in headlines
June 12, 2007 - 07:21 ET by nkviking75Here are a couple of thoughts on addressing her would-be highness as "Hillary":
1) Since her own campaign materials are emphasizing the first name, perhaps she's trying to minimize the 747-load of baggage that comes with the name "Clinton".
2) When used properly, headlines are meant to quickly convey the essence of a story. Any headline referring to "Clinton" can lead the reader to wonder if the story is about Hillary or another fairly famous person in her family, Bubba.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Before the Chicago Tribune ju
June 12, 2007 - 07:49 ET by GalvanicBefore the Chicago Tribune jumped on the references to "Hillary" in headlines, it should've checked her official campaign website. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/splash/
It would appear that even her own campaign staff is making an effort to have the public associate her with her first name; are they sexist? Afterall, when anyone says the name Hillary, who's the first person who comes to mind?
It appears so with many female celebrities. Who comes to mind when you read the names Oprah, Rosie, Roseanne, Paris, Whoopi, etc.? Instant recognition. If I write Winfrey, O'Donnell, Barr, Hilton, Goldberg, you have to think for a second.
Hillary Clinton's campaign LOVES the references by first name. She's not only a household name, but the identity by first name makes her seem more friendly and middle-class.
I'm sure if other candidates started campaigning on their first names --- Rudy, Mitt, et al --- the headlines would liberally use their first names, too.
How about: Ms. Madam Sir Edmu
June 12, 2007 - 09:28 ET by mattmHow about: Ms. Madam Sir Edmund Hillary Rodham Clinton Esq. ?
matt...great link
June 12, 2007 - 09:48 ET by LionKingI had heard the Sir Edmund lie before, but I had not heard the Chelsea and 9-11 story.
Reminds me of the joke: How can you tell when Clinton is lying? ... When his lips are moving.
[ No difference between SHillary and Bill. ]
whiny feminists just don't get it.
June 12, 2007 - 12:54 ET by sarcasmoFeminists have discovered an excuse to whine about calling Hillary her name during the Presidency of a dude often referenced only by his middle initial, "W." Later, the same feminists will no-doubt wonder why some of us choose to call at least the left-wing flavor of feminists (you probably won't see Wendy McElroy bitching about this stuff...) "whiny." And by paying attention to something "important" like calling Hillary "Hillary," these lefty feminists can effectively ignore the really important issues where these paticular feminists -- in their singleminded pursuit of politics over principle -- have totally failed women. Exhibit 1. The second amendment and a female's right to self defense. As the old saying goes, "God made men & women, but Sam Colt made us equal."
JMR
you sexist pig
June 12, 2007 - 12:57 ET by florida_chadyou sexist pig
gutteral sounds
June 12, 2007 - 19:27 ET by goldenthroatOink!