Posted on 01/14/2010 6:57:26 AM PST by deport
AUSTIN – Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sarah Palin have helped shift the landscape, but gender issues are still tricky for male candidates in political debates.
Rick Perry may discover the pitfalls when, for the first time in his long political career he's the only man on stage tonight against two female contenders. From gestures to tone to r-e-s-p-e-c-t, the age-old tussle between men and women will be magnified by stage lights and close-up cameras during the hourlong Republican gubernatorial debate in Denton, broadcast live on public television......
Communications and political experts said that in facing off against women, Perry must stay steady and calm. He must not seem to attack. Mostly, he must stay unfailingly polite because TV amplifies a tone and a look and assumes an attitude.
And if he slips, as plenty of male candidates famously have, TV also provides an endless instant replay and becomes the one thing remembered from the debate – and not just for the relatively few watching, but for the millions who didn't.
Kay Bailey Hutchison, in her fervor to score political points, must not come across as too "shrill" – a word reserved almost exclusively to describe women in debates.
She must avoid a high-pitched tone and anything that resembles scolding. What comes across as forceful for a man is sometimes seen as churlish in a woman. .....
Adding to the peril for both Hutchison and Perry is the presence of Debra Medina, an outsider with little to lose. Tea Party followers have coalesced around Medina, who has pushed gun rights, border defense and state nullification of federal mandates. KERA said it decided to invite Medina to the debate because she had attracted media and public interest.
end snips
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Yes, Perry can be conservative when we slap him up side the head with it...last time we had to march on the Capitol Building...but he does get it!!!!
Kay Bailey-Hutchison has NEVER been a republican. She lies! And I suspect there is a LOT of liberal money in her coffers, because the libs want Texas BADDDDDDDDDDDDDD!
I like Medina. If she can win it great! I’m really torn, but leaning to Perry. Medina’s really going to have to get some more mojo (momentum) running if she wants it.
Here’s to the Medina Mojo beginning big time tonight. And she is by far the most conservative in the race.
The good news for all of you out there who are having a hard time committing to Debra Medina (even though you like her best on the issues) over Rick Perry because you think she can’t win...
Vote for Medina in March and if she doesn’t make the runoff you can still vote for Perry over Hutchinson in the runoff anyway.
But of course if Debra did make the runoff that would be even better.
Debate has just began............
Time Warner cable is carrying on Channel 8 in some areas......
Can you ping your TXgov list if you are around at the present time. The debate just started at 7 pm..
I do too roylll.......we deserve better than to have to take a barf bag and clothespin into the voting booth. :(
was that the “women/rape, accept it” thing?
Medina’s looking good. I liked her answer on the handgun issue!
Except we don’t have registration. Also why does she just wish she could carry in a grocery store? Can’t she get a CHL?
Thank you for starting the live thread deport.
Medina has done well. She’s got some facts to back up her positions. Also Perry and Hutchison are chewing on each other pretty good. Both are making statements that seemed to need correction by each other.
The longer this goes on... the better for Medina. If I’m Rick Perry I want it to end right now.
Maybe she doesn’t want to be on a list; that’s why I don’t have mine.
Is the grocery store a no no regarding CCW? I thought that was what she was inferring.
I know! It’s hilarious. Perry and Hutchinson look disgruntled, like they can’t figure out who let that darn constituent in!
Listening to the live debate now. Agree, Medina is very impressive. She’s been hidden by the media!
Texas has had two previous women governors. I don’t think Texans are going to conclude that being a governor is strictly a “man’s job”.
I’m leaning to Perry but I’m not solidly in any camp right now. I want to be impressed further before deciding.
No, because he is destroying KBH proving she is full of crap.
Perry is such a LIAR!! He raised corporate income taxes 8 BILLION dollars!!!! He DID NOT LOWER PROPERTY TAXES!!! He is a pretty boy liar. Kay Bailey is an obvious BABY KILLER!!! If you want to kill little babies— Have at it!!! Medina won and gets our votes!! She is a TEA BAGGER!!! We want TEA BAGGERS. Medina was awesome and won the debate!!!!
deport..you could have stopped with..Clayton Williams...they should have locked him up and not let him talk...period.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.