Eight years after Barack Obama launched his presidential campaign, national media journalists have changed their tune and discovered an interest in experience and accomplishments in those running to occupy the Oval Office.
To wit, on Sunday’s Meet the Press, Ruth Marcus, the veteran Washington Post reporter turned columnist, dismissed Republican Carly Fiorina: “I don’t think we would be taking her seriously at all if she weren’t a woman.”
Panelist Kathleen Parker retorted: “Well, can you say the same thing about Hillary?” Unbowed, Marcus plowed ahead: “No, no, no. Let me just finish. I think she is a failed business leader and a failed political candidate.”
Of course, it was a bunch of male board members who removed her from HP, a fact which would likely animate Marcus if Fiorina were a liberal. Barack Obama never ran anything to fail at.
And if losing a race for office is a disqualifier – Fiorina lost a 2010 bid for the U.S. Senate in California – then isn’t Hillary Clinton disqualified since she lost the 2008 Democratic primary?
The remarks on the May 10 Meet the Press, picking up with Michael Steele praising Fiorina’s answers, to Chuck Todd earlier in the show, about her corporate tenure:
MICHAEL STEELE: The way she pushed back on your questions about her tenure and getting fired, I thought that sounded reasonable. And as a voter looking at that, I thought oh, okay that sounded reasonable, at least she didn’t run from it. She didn’t hide.
RUTH MARCUS, WASHINGTON POST: I entirely, completely disagree. I don’t think we would be taking her seriously at all if she weren’t a woman. And I would love to see a woman President.
KATHLEEN PARKER: Well, can you say the same thing about Hillary?
STEELE: Thank you.
MARCUS: No, no, no. Let me just finish. I think she is a failed business leader and a failed political candidate.
PARKER: No, she is not a failed business leader.
STEELE: What are you talking about?
MARCUS: As Chuck pointed out, she was fired from her job. She didn’t get the political job she ran for. I just don’t get why we should be taking her so seriously.
PARKER: I’ve been fired in the past. It’s good experience to have. I think she acquitted herself very well with you. She does that repeatedly. Every time I’ve seen her speak it’s been with great conviction. She’s not afraid of the facts. Her campaign will tell you, she answered 200 questions just last week and Hillary Clinton has answered seven in the scope of her campaign thus far. So, trust. Are you trusting someone? I’m not saying she is going to be the President. I’m saying she is a viable candidate. She’s going to get better and better as people know her.
