“Girlie Show”: Tongue-in-Cheek or Foot-in-Mouth?

By CJP | July 17, 2008

Emily’s List, a group established to elect pro-choice Democratic women to public office, has launched a petition to “demand fair, credible coverage” of women in “The Washington Times.”

What gives? You ask. Well….In an article about an event featuring Michelle Obama and the governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm (at left), “The Washington Times” described it this way:

“The couches on stage were sleek and white. Think Dwell magazine meets Oprah’s confessional talk lair. The tone of the event was as much estrogenfest as it was campaign rally, as Michelle Obama hit the stump in Michigan Wednesday as part of two-day Midwest swing and a revamped strategy designed to soften her image and attract more female voters, a bloc much needed for her husband to win the White House.

“Even Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm got in on the girlie show as they campaigned together in struggling Pontiac, Mich. Yes, Mrs. Granholm told Mrs. Obama, her state was bleeding jobs and desperate. But the economic bantering did not begin until after the two-term Democratic governor offered a gal-pal fashion compliment, telling the cheering crowd of mainly black women that while she and Mrs. Obama had something in common as Harvard Law School graduates, she would not bare her arms in public.”

The article, which is written by a woman, is titled, “Girl Talk Wins Fans for Mrs. Obama.”

So what say you, Janes? Is this description of two Harvard-trained lawyers offensive or cheeky? Tongue-in-cheek or foot-in-mouth?

You can see the Emily’s List petition HERE, and the “Washington TImes” article HERE. Tell us what you think by voting in the CJP poll or clicking “comments” below…

Topics: CJP Poll, Women in Politics

One Response to ““Girlie Show”: Tongue-in-Cheek or Foot-in-Mouth?”

1. Sandra Gabel Says:
   July 21st, 2008 at 10:25 am

   I sent the following message to the journalist.

   “I an offended in so many ways by your report on Michelle Obama’s session with Govenor Granholm.
   I am totally puzzled by today’s journalists and their education. Are you unable to understand sexist language and it’s offensive nature to women. I thought we addressed these issues in the 70’s quite well, only to be terribly disappointed to know that term’s like “girlie” and “estrogenfest” would not be recognied as offensive.

   I had to let you know and with my wishes that you become a more reponsible journalist in covering women, especially those with whom the public has great interest. These political spouses deserve better and especially women deserve better.”

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