Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden pays for his order at a Krispy Kreme following a campaign town hall on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019, in Spartanburg, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)
No matter how hard he tries to, Joe Biden can’t escape accusations of sexism.
The latest example comes from Iowa, where Biden campaigned over the weekend at an LGBTQ rights forum. The Hill reports:
Cedar Rapids Gazette columnist Lyz Lenz tweeted Friday night that Biden dryly called her a “real sweetheart” in private after the two shared an onstage exchange over Biden’s support for the Defense of Marriage Act and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
“In 1994, you did vote for ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and in 1996, you voted for the Defense of Marriage Act,” Lenz said. “You did vote to repeal both of those, but you have also praised Vice President Mike Pence as a ‘decent guy.'”
After the audience interjected with boos following the mention of Pence’s name, Biden responded, “You’re a lovely person.”
“Just asking the questions people want to know,” Lenz replied.
Lenz told USA Today she found Biden’s treatment of her “condescending”, saying that “it’s 2019, you shouldn’t be calling women sweethearts.”
TIME magazine editor at large Anand Giridharadas tweeted out the video clip, calling Biden’s answer “sexism with a smile”:
https://twitter.com/AnandWrites/status/1175382222267977728
Rolling Stone writer Jamil Smith called Biden’s treatment of Lenz “Paleolithic”:
I admire Lyz’s professionalism in this moment. Sad that it was even necessary. Biden keeps exhibiting this kind of Paleolithic behavior, and too many folks will excuse it because they’re used to seeing their male elders act like way. There is no such thing as benevolent sexism. https://t.co/WXN7F6B2IJ
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) September 21, 2019
Other liberals weighed in and also equated Biden’s comments to “sexism”:
Calling women "sweetheart" in professional settings only serves to diminish them. #sexism https://t.co/vW6hY887Rf
— Amy Diehl, Ph.D. (@amydiehl) September 21, 2019
I don’t think I ever realized the extent of Biden’s open arrogance. He laughs at questions about race on a debate stage. He uses open condescension and sexism to deflect questions at an #LGBTQforum. clearly does not get it. It’s just so obvious he’s not equipped.
— Jodi Jacobson 🩸🦷 #BlackLivesMatter (@jljacobson) September 21, 2019
Ah the casual sexism. Biden being asked about his record and he turns it into a personal attack on the woman doing her job. Good for @lyzl for continuing on. https://t.co/mGDXnUinVm
— Los Angeles Esther RAINN: 800-656-4673 | (@angelenoesther) September 21, 2019
Look, I understand that it’s en vogue for liberals to pretend to be triggered by otherwise harmless comments (because it’s a great way to attract attention), but this is ridiculous. I’ve been subjected to much worse sexism just standing in the checkout line at the grocery store than Lenz was at this forum.
As Lenz noted, it is indeed 2019. Perhaps this year even more so than the last several, we are subjected to daily lectures about how strong and fierce women are and how nothing’s gonna bring them down. If this is the case, it’s time for feminist women and their liberal male enablers to stop reaching for the fainting couches everytime someone says something mildly offensive and grow up.
We have much bigger problems in this country than a presidential candidate calling women “sweethearts” and “lovely.”
—–
— Based in North Carolina, Sister Toldjah is a former liberal and a 15+ year veteran of blogging with an emphasis on media bias, social issues, and the culture wars. Read her Red State archives here. Connect with her on Twitter. –
Join the conversation as a VIP Member