Hot on the heels of US Senator Harry Reid’s “Negro-gate” comes another elderly politician’s run in with political correctness. This time it is Senator Arlen Specter and a contoversy that could be dubbed “Lady-gate.” Yesterday the soon-to-be 80 year-old Pensylvania Democrat appeared with Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) on a Philadelphia radio program in what understandably was a heated discussion about current political events. Here is how a writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described what happened:
Ms. Bachmann declared last night's victory by Scott Brown a repudiation of Mr. Obama's policies. Mr. Specter then asked what, exactly, Ms. Bachmann is in favor of.
The Minnesotan detailed a list of fiscal changes: cutting the effective income tax rate to 22 percent, dashing capital gains taxes and eliminating the estate tax will stimulate the economy plenty, she said, as opposed to the overreach of the Obama administration with the stimulus and health care legislation. As Mr. Specter started to respond, Ms. Bachmann interjected to try to reinforce her point. Mr. Specter, clearly, did not appreciate the interruption.
"I'm going to treat you like a lady," Mr. Specter shot back. "Now act like one." Ms. Bachmann replied, "I am a lady."
The two continued to spar and Mr. Specter later again asked Ms. Bachmann to "act like a lady" when things got heated.
Today some have been calling out Mr. Specter as sexist. What do you think? Was it sexist to tell Ms. Bachmann to 'act like a lady' and stop interrupting. If you think so, do you think he should be rebuked by his colleagues in the Senate as some have called for?
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