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TOPIC: Armed with new research, consultants warn ‘open season’ of sexist attacks in politics is over (YahooNews 10/15/10)

Jen the Michigander

SuperModerator

Status: Offline

Posts: 1788

Date: Oct 16, 2010

Armed with new research, consultants warn ‘open season’ of sexist attacks in politics is over (YahooNews 10/15/10)	Permalink

Looks like all the work many of us have been doing over the past two years is making a difference. (And as I am typing this, I am listening to Annie Lennox: "Sing my sister, sing! Let your voice be heard!") http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101015/pl_yblog_upshot/armed-with-new-research-consultants-warn-open-season-of-sexist-attacks-in-politics-is-over New research that shows women candidates lose voters when they don't respond aggressively to sexist attacks is already changing the way women are running in this election cycle. The women behind the groundbreaking research say congressional candidate Krystal Ball in Virginia and California's Meg Whitman are using the findings to justify their desire to push back against sexist tactics they've faced in their races. As recently as just a year ago, the researchers say, such candidates may have listened to conventional wisdom and stayed silent. "You're watching history being made, actually," says Women's Campaign Forum (WCF) President Sam Bennett. The nonpartisan group sponsored the research. "Up to now it's been open game season for bloggers, for reporters, for opponents to [make sexist attacks]. Now, it's going to boomerang on you." Political consultants have said for decades that responding to sexist attacks only magnifies them or makes a candidate seem whiny. This research, however, turns that conventional wisdom on its head. Even mild sexist attacks, like calling a woman candidate an "ice queen," causes that candidate to lose as much support with voters as more flagrant sexism like the use of the word "whore." Women candidates can regain voters' support simply by pointing out that the attacks are sexist and inappropriate. (You can read more about the research here.) "I think you're going to see a lot more candidates explore more aggressive responses," author of the research and Democratic strategist Celinda Lake said. "I think candidates were extremely worried about even mild sexism in the past, but everyone told them you have to take it and move on. My hope is what comes out of this research is ... by the next cycle candidates will have the freedom now to call it out and name it and change it." __________________ Nobody puts THIS baby in the corner!

reddirtgirl

Platinum

Status: Offline

Posts: 112

Date: Oct 17, 2010

RE: Armed with new research, consultants warn ‘open season’ of sexist attacks in politics is over (YahooNews 10/15/10)	Permalink

You mean we're finally making progress in this male dominated world? I'll believe it when I actually witness it. It always bothers me though when the head honcho of a group purporting to help or reach women is a man. A woman should be President. Actually, a woman should also be President of the United States.... __________________

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