Watching Fair Game I was reminded of my first thoughts when I heard the Republicans saying that Valerie Plame was more a secretary than a secret agent "Are you basing that on some misinformation or did you just assume that because Plame is a woman?"
I am not one who is quick to 'play the gender card' (or any card for that matter). But in this case it seemed to so obviously be a play into sexism. It was a play to the Bush administration's base who might only see a girl instead of a grrl.
Fast-forward a couple of years and the question comes up as to whether or not Sarah Palin can be a feminist or not. The fact that she agreed to be John McCain's running mate to help him manipulate bitter Clinton supporters seemed to be an immediate answer.
Where were the Republican feminist when Plame was being demoted in the national consciousness? How could they let their party get away with that and then expect to call themselves feminists a few years later. I'm willing to buy that reproduction views do not a feminist make- but you have to stand up for something in the name of gender equality.
There probably were some female Republicans criticizing the tactics to diminish Plame, but there weren't enough of them being loud enough to hear them. Admittedly I was listening to NPR.
PS
That last line is a joke. Any progressive should have rolled their eyes at NPR news being a liberal filter http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2009/06/30/shepard
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