Specter: Sorry for 'act like a lady' remark

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Sen. Arlen Specter called Rep. Michele Bachmann (R., Minn.) yesterday to apologize for his comments during a radio interview last week, the senator's office said, and she called back and "accepted the apology."

Specter's office gave no further details, saying the conversation between the two had been private.

On a Philadelphia talk show Wednesday, Specter admonished Bachmann to "act like a lady" during an exchange over the health-care overhaul legislation, a remark that Republicans, Specter's Democratic primary opponent, and some pundits deemed patronizing at best and demeaning to women at worst. Bachmann told Fox News commentator Sean Hannity on Thursday that she had been "stunned by the arrogance" of Specter's remarks.

By apologizing to Bachmann, Specter clearly hoped to put the controversy behind him before it could remind women of their anger over his treatment of Anita Hill during Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas 19 years ago. Such a comparison would be a political liability as he faces a tough primary challenge from Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) in seeking a fifth term.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/82575062.html

[mac56]

1. And we know how troubled Republicans always are

when people are patronizing and demeaning to women. It grieves them terribly.

:sarcasm:

[Blue Owl]

2. Oh please

This takes cowardly spinelessness to a whole new level.

Way to set the record straight, Arlen -- Michelle Bachmann is right and the Democrats are wrong.

[Mz Pip]

3. Did she apologize

for being rude and obnoxious? I doubt it.

[napi21]

4. What he should have said was "Be quiet & use the decorum

you owe to the people you represent. Of course that's not Arlan. He's an old man and that's the kind of stuff they said when he was young.

[Democrat_in_Houston]

20. If he admonishes men to "act like a gentleman" then I wouldn't find it offensive

And since I really am not all that familiar with his jargon, I'm neutral on this.

[rayofreason]

5. Maybe...

...all this mess will help Sestak, who at last look was behind in the polls (though it is very early).

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/poll-specter-has-strong-lead-over-sestak-in-dem-primary.php

[robcon]

6. Well, Specter "acted like a gentleman"

so, they're even.

[liberal N proud]

7. Why is one remark about how one person acts taken as an insult to all

who fit into the same category as the one the remark was actually about?

Women should act like ladies and men should act like gentlemen.

Flame away!

[MercutioATC]

9. Exactly. The statement was about an expected level of decorum.

I don't see it as sexist.

[robcon]

12. It's not sexist, it's very, very condescending.

It's as if I told you, Mercutio, to "be a good boy" and shut up.

[MercutioATC]

14. Ok, that I'll buy.

[niyad]

13. sorry that you don't understand the sexism involved in that remark--and right now, I don't have the

time to explain it to you--perhaps someone else can.

in the meantime, you can always look up "ladies against women"

We Truly Tasteful Ladies Do Hereby Demand:


Repeal the Ladies' vote. It is suffering and not suffrage that keeps us up on our pedestals. And if God hadn't wanted us up on pedestals, He wouldn't have make us shorter than our husbands.

Abolish the environment. It takes up too much space, and is almost impossible to keep clean.

Free Ladies from wage slavery. The 60-odd cents we earn for every manly dollar is entirely too much. It is unladylike to accept money for work.

Maintain illiteracy as a high school graduation requirement. An uninformed populace is an obedient populace, and a self-censoring one, too. After all, ignorance is a virtue: what you can't read, can't hurt you.

Insist on universal free childcare. No one should be paid to do what a real Lady does in her home for free.

Weed out uppity women through the establishment of HULA Committee: the House Committee on Un-Ladylike Activities.

Procreation, not recreation. Where did so many gals get the idea that s_x is supposed to be f_n? It's time to close your eyes and do your duty!

...

http://www.ladiesagainstwomen.com/

[SoapBox]

8. Spineless Jellyfish!

OH YA...he's going to apologize and yet, take a look at the CRAP that she has vomited.

Has she EVER apologized for the the garbage that she has attacked people with? NEVER!

Spector...you make me sick! Wimp! Spineless!

WTF is wrong with these Democrats? WIMPY!

[robcon]

16. You're not suggesting that Specter adopt the attitude of Bachman, are you?

Specter was right to withdraw the highly demeaning and condescending phrase he used - no matter what Bachmann has said.

[Lance_Boyle]

10. Gawds - he really is a Democrat now. n/t

[Winterblues]

11. Between Sestak and Specter, I am afraid I could not pick

Neither should be elected as a Democrat...

[zbdent]

15. If Spectre had remained an R ... (and he made the comment about Pelosi, instead)

this would not be a news story ... other than the argument in the media that the object of his comment doesn't wear flattering enough outfits ...

[madmom]

17. Hardily agree, look at some of the things they've said about Pelosi and Clinton.

[WileEcoyote]

18. Toss pot calling the kettle black

One spineless, lying tool speaking to another.

Specter's behavior during the Warren Commission "investigation" (con job is the better term) was disgraceful. He hasn't changed since.

[chelsea0011]

19. So if that's all one has to say to have to apologize, when will Scott

Brown apologize for pimping his daughters.