Fox News HITS Elizabeth: "how can you not admire a woman in her position who isn't perfectly thin"

[jsamuel]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295660,00.html
By Susan Estrich

I have always liked Elizabeth Edwards, admired her both for her obvious strengths and her obvious weaknesses (how can you not admire a woman in her position who isn’t perfectly thin?); respected her for her courage in the face of terrible tragedy, as well as for her intelligence and honesty; appreciated the strength of her commitment to her husband and family, and even envied her for the kind of marriage and partnership that eludes so many smart women of our generation.

Can you believe that?! Mixing it in with all those nice compliments.

Update:
It has come to my attention that Susan Estrich (author) is a Clinton supporter. Obviously, you can't blame the Clinton campaign for her actions, but still...


more from the attack piece for those who say to take this at face value:

"What does it say about him that he leaves the "dirty work" to his more sympathetic wife- the mother facing incurable cancer- rather than carrying that load himself?"

I'm not big fan of cat fights. When one smart and powerful woman takes on another, especially when she prefaces it by saying that only another woman could comfortably make the charge, I become immediately suspect. Too many people, many of them men, take too much pleasure in seeing powerful women go down together, both covered with mud in the end. The sight of two women in the ring with their gloves off tends to get more attention as a sort of freak show than the legitimacy of the criticism; the substance of the criticism gets repeated, not analyzed.

"Should she be doing it?" becomes the issue, more than "is she right?"

And when the woman who is launching the attack is herself- as Ann would put it- a classic "victim," it's even more complicated.

Oh, isn't that nice. She even uses Ann Coulter's talking point.

I question, is not being thin an "obvious weakness" for someone "in her position?"

[niyad]

1. words fail me.

[Virginian]

51. It's FOX whadda ya expect? n/t

[Sanity Claws]

2. Meow!!

Yes, real catty. Next Fox News will make some comment about her hair.

[The Backlash Cometh]

37. Should Fox News really stoop to this level considering what they have

to work with in Barbara Bush?

[hlthe2b]

3. Ahh, only if delivered in her gravel voice....

that makes that of Charlie Rangel sound soft and genteel, could such vapid comments be any more annoying.

[n2doc]

4. Susan is as shallow as the morning mist on my windshield.

She should be forced to watch a few videos on people who have died of Anorexia.

[hisownpetard]

18. Worse? She should be forced to watch videos of herself for a few hours. eom

[itsrobert]

5. It's a hit piece for the Clinton campaign

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P48VZBC5L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

[Felinity]

6. How rude

Not everyone can have the lithe stature of Laura Bush.

And by the way, does she look stoned (as in scripts or meth) a lot to anyone else out there?

Edit to add, on further thought--

Perhaps she is referring to Elizabeth's ability to maintain a healthy weight while battling cancer? I'm sure we could be misinterpreting these kind words.

[niyad]

10. do you think pickles is thin? she is, however, definitely on something.

[Felinity]

12. No, I should have used the sarcasm smilie

I think Laura is the definition of matronly.

[niyad]

16. just checking!!

[notadmblnd]

52. It's why we call her Pickles

and no I don't think she is perfectly thin. Her face looks like the Joker from the Batman series and her breasts sag pitifully for a woman of her stature and age. It's as if she can't afford decent bras.

[underpants]

7. This is no surprise-they are all going to try to pile on Edwards and bury him

Fox CBS CNN NBC (et al) ABC all of them are going to pound on him and her.

[Ellen Forradalom]

8. Susan fucking Estrich

was a member of the brain trust that put Dukakis in a tank. She also lit out after Arianna Huffington with the bad-mom dagger. I have no use for her.

[htuttle]

20. The same exact phrase went through my mind when I read that piece

"Susan Fucking Estrich"

Is she still showing up completely drunk on Faux News nowadays?

She's become the complete stereotype of a 'worn-out, has-been political hack'.

[benny05]

9. isn't She the one who ran

an abysmal campaign for Mike Dukakis and couldn't stave off the Rovians?

[Zodiak]

24. wait...I thought Dukakkis lost because he was too liberal

That's what I've heard like a zillion times here on the DU.

So did he lose because he was liberal or because of the crap campaign by corporate hacks?

[Spiffarino]

43. He lost because he was a poor candidate with poor help

Good progressive values, strong leadership skills, and a zero on the stump. And still he could have beaten Bush-daddy but for an abysmal campaign run by a bunch of brain dead D.C. hacks led by Estrich and Bob "0-for-fucking-9" Shrum.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

72. yep, she blew a 15 point lead and turned into a near double digit loss

so she knows a lot about wining strategy
that's why she's persona non grata in this party and her druken ass serves as hannity's straw woman

[Donald Ian Rankin]

11. Hmm. This looks perfectly sincere to me.

Am I alone in thinking that it was quite possibly meant to be taken at face value, and that "not perfectly thin" is not necessarily an insult?

[niyad]

13. did you catch-- "obvious weaknesses--not perfectly thin"???? if you don't understand the rudeness

of that connected comment, you obviously need more caffeine this morning.

[jsamuel]

14. The entire piece is an attack on Elizabeth for attacking Clinton.

The author is a Clinton supporter. Sure, we could give her the benefit of the doubt, but was that line necessary AT ALL? No, it wasn't. Plus, if that wasn't obvious enough she says "obvious weakness" right before she talks about her weight.

more...

"What does it say about him that he leaves the "dirty work" to his more sympathetic wife- the mother facing incurable cancer- rather than carrying that load himself?"

I'm not big fan of cat fights. When one smart and powerful woman takes on another, especially when she prefaces it by saying that only another woman could comfortably make the charge, I become immediately suspect. Too many people, many of them men, take too much pleasure in seeing powerful women go down together, both covered with mud in the end. The sight of two women in the ring with their gloves off tends to get more attention as a sort of freak show than the legitimacy of the criticism; the substance of the criticism gets repeated, not analyzed.

"Should she be doing it?" becomes the issue, more than "is she right?"

And when the woman who is launching the attack is herself- as Ann would put it- a classic "victim," it's even more complicated.

[Felinity]

17. Do these pants make me look fat?

Donald, it's a girl thing. Meeow!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

15. How I admire Tony Snow for not being perfectly bald

What's your secret, Tony? Stop staring into the abyss, and dish!

[thereismore]

19. Worst Person nominee! I am sure Keith's people read Du. C'mon KO! nt

[hisownpetard]

21. WHAAAAT? Said like a true moran by Susan Estrich - the Carol Channing of politics. eom

[niyad]

41. hey!! I LIKE carol channing!!

[hisownpetard]

50. Yeah, actually I do, too - but in the context of a musical like "Mame," not

someone purporting to be a journalist and making eyes at the camera, right?

[zulchzulu]

64. Carol Channing actually HAS a brain n/t

[Maggie_May]

22. I don't know guys I would take this as a compliment

I look as if she isn't your typical stefford wife thin and perfect in everyway. (OMG just look at Laura) Elizabeth is real I love her down to earth tells it like it is. So she not skinny and perfect but you know what she says she means and its not something that someone told her to say!

[soleft]

25. yeah, that's the way I'd take it - saying she has guts to be real

and not to conform to cultural demands of thinness at all costs

[niyad]

30. except you have to read it in context--"obvious weakness--not perfectly thin." plus, the whole

point of discussing women's personal appearance, as though that were a factor in anything.

[Maggie_May]

42. Read post 39 it will explain

[niyad]

27. two points here-- why discuss her weight at all? second, when it comes right after the phrase

"obvious weaknesses"--it can ONLY be meant as a slam

[jsamuel]

29. exactly, and thirdly, the whole piece is an attack on Elizabeth

that paragraph is the obligatory, "but I like her, really!" paragraph

[Maggie_May]

39. I think she was making a point

She might have been talking about some other weaknesses not only that she is a Hilary lover.
She wrote a book about Hilary and it wasn't a slamming one either.
The Case for Hillary Clinton By Susan Estrich
Just a snip of it here
As the country prepares for the 2008 political season, one Democratic candidate has risen above the rest as a legitimate contender for the presidency: Hillary Rodham Clinton. In this passionate exploration of Hillary Clinton's political career, longtime political analyst Susan Estrich argues that Hillary has what it takes to make it to the White House and lead America out of the divisive Bush years into the future.

Susan Estrich appears frequently on Fox News as a legal and political analyst, giving the liberal perspective

[niyad]

49. what does her book about hillary have to do with her comment about elizabeth's weight? ZERO

[Maggie_May]

53. Just wanted to point out that she is a Hillary lover

But I don't think it was a weight slam if you read the whole article yes she is slamming Elizabeth but not for her weight. Just my opinion.

[niyad]

56. you STILL don't understand that sentence, do you?

[Beaverhausen]

31. A compliment? She said it's an "obvious weakness"

why is her weight a matter of discussion anyway? Do we want people to discuss Hillary's weight, too?

Could we stick to important issues, please?

[Peregrine Took]

23. Estrich is an ugly person - inside and outside. Ugh - revolting!!!

[Totally Committed]

26. Estrich evidently doesnt understand the role that some of the drugs prescibed after a bout of cancer

play in making women gain weight. Since my daughter's surgery and chemo, she has gained 20 pounds, even though she diets and works out every day. Anything that messes with your metabolism to slow it down (which these drugs do... to slow the spread of the disease) will make a woman heavier than she normally would be.

That having been said, WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MATTER? Know what concerns me about Elizabeth Edwards? --- Is she healthy? She's got children and a husband who (I'm guessing) would rather have her on the heavier side than sick with cancer again.

Further more, this country has a very UNhealthy attitude toward any extra weight at all. It's not how thin you are, it's how healthy you are. It's time to celebrate women for their achievements, their contributions, their intelligence, and theirlives rather than their waistlines. I am sick to death of the fat-phobia of America, as perpetrated om American women (especially) bu this image-is-everything media we have.

It's a disgusting thing to say about ANY woman. Just disgusting.

ETA: Estridge is a Clintonista. Always has been. (read: winning is everything)

TC

[Contrary1]

28. I have read that sentence 3 times...

and still can't figure out what the hell she is trying to say.

"In her position"?

Is that to mean Elizabeth Edwards has cancer and doesn't look like an Auschwitz survivor? That's an ignorant statement. Many women who undergo chemo do gain weight. I added about 20 pounds in 3 months. It's usually the painfully thin end stage patients that are seen on TV, writing letters to their children, and creating detailed family photo albums.

Or, is it that Elizabeth, has the nerve to not look like Angelina Jolie, and still show herself in public?

Somebody help me here. I can't figure out wtf Estrich is getting at.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

33. I took it as a reference to Elizabeth's inoperable cancer

And it is as shallow, stupid and repulsive a statement as I've heard in a long time, even with so many others vying for the honor.

[onenote]

74. I took it as a reference to being a political wife, in the public eye

didn't see it as having anything to do with her cancer.

[jsamuel]

35. Married to a "hottie" like John Edwards?

[rinsd]

32. I detest Susan Estrich

While she did write a book touting Hillary as a candidate, she is as much a Clinton supporter as Alan Colmnes is a Democrat.

[jsamuel]

34. that is why it isn't right to blame the Clinton campaign for what one supporter says, so I don't

[rinsd]

45. I know, I was more referring to a tangent thread that sprung up in relation to this.

Sorry, it ended up in my response to you as I know that was not your intention.

But my point remains that Estrich is detestable and this article is just another notch in the column proving it.

[jsamuel]

46. haha, that's ok, I was just reiterating my point to make sure it was understood.

I agree.

[huskerlaw]

36. Because Hillary is model-thin?

:wtf:

First of all, it's hypocrisy. But most importantly, it's complete BULLSHIT.

Though if the fact that Elizabeth Edwards' very normal female figure is the only "weakness" Susan can come up with...well :rofl: Must suck to be that desperate for something negative to say.

[RubyDuby in GA]

38. Um...Hillary isn't exactly supermodel thin herself.

This is just stupid and so is whoever wrote this.

[DURHAM D]

40. I hate to say "I told you so but I told you so"

I have commented on several occasions that if Elizabeth did not stop her moral high ground snarking at Hillary it was going to get the campaign in trouble. I know her supporters really like it but it makes Elizabeth look small and John look like a wimp.

As the inattentive, not yet involved, other 60-70% of the population starts to tune in to the race they don't need to be hearing/seeing the campaign as desperate and ugly. It is just not the right message for a serious campaign. I can not imagine that John's staff is happy with her comments - it is fun for some Edward's supporters but a nightmare for the message handlers.

With regard to Susan - I am not aware that she supports anyone other that Susan. I would like to see a reference or link to her support for Hillary. Personally I think she just wants to be Maureen Dowd but is neither clever, funny or appealing enough.

[huskerlaw]

59. Oh please

this comment wasn't a result of Elizabeth's "snarking" at Hillary. It also isn't an example of the Edwards' campaign "getting into trouble". If anything, it's more proof that Elizabeth needs to keep right on pointing out ridiculous attacks on her husband and herself.

By the way, all the Edwards supporters I know welcome everyone to raise substantive issues with the Edwards campaign. What we DON'T appreciate is bullshit from Ann Coulter, MSM reports on John's hair, and now, attacks on Elizabeth's weight. But that has more to do with raising the level of debate than it does about any concern regarding the effectiveness of the attacks. So far, these low-blow swipes have helped, much more than hurt, the Edwards campaign.

By the way, you contradict yourself when you then say that Susan has no relation to Hillary. So is it turnabout-is-fair-play from someone who's sick of Elizabeth "snarking" on Hillary? Or is it someone totally unaffiliated, who just happens to be an asshat? Can't have it both ways.

[jonnyblitz]

67. the book, "The Case for Hillary Clinton" that she wrote

might be considered indication of her support. just sayin... :shrug:

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Hillary-Clinton-Susan-Estrich/dp/0060839880

[Mass]

44. Susan Estrich is an idiot. She has been giving us this type of remarks for more

than 5 years now.

[LibDemAlways]

47. Last time I saw her mug on tv, Estrich was hardly

supermodel material. She has a hell of a nerve commenting on anybody's weight. Hillary isn't "perfectly thin" either, so I have to assume Estrich is merely blowing smoke out her generous ass.

[Rick Myers]

48. Someone buy Susan Estrich a freakin' mirror!!! nt

[The Count]

54. Susan Estrich is not a Clinton supporter. She is a Faux media whore...

And now I miss a certain website again...

[jsamuel]

57. She wrote: "The Case for Hillary Clinton"

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P48VZBC5L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Case-Hillary-Clinton-Susan-Estrich/dp/0060839880

A political strategist who's worked with Michael Dukakis, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Estrich (Sex and Power) doesn't make any bones about her political beliefs. She's for education, choice, gay rights, the environment, accessible health care and balanced budgets, and she expects that her readers will be, too. So it's the members of her own party, and the moderates of the Republican party, that Estrich aims to persuade with this lively book on why Hillary Clinton should be elected president in 2008. "The reality is that Hillary isn't running yet, but her opponents are already running against her," Estrich writes. The recent slew of anti-Hillary books, she argues, is designed to undermine Clinton's candidacy because Republicans, who have elected such divisive presidents as Ronald Reagan and Bush 43, understand that just because a candidate is polarizing doesn't mean than she can't win. Estrich takes on Ed Klein's, Peggy Noonan's and Dick Morris's books directly, but her main argument lies elsewhere. Clinton, she says, is the only woman in America capable of becoming president, and if she wins, her mere election will further the cause of mothers and daughters everywhere. "She has become a symbol of all of us, of our generation of women," Estrich writes. "She wins, we win. She loses, we lose. That's how it works." With its detailed analysis of past campaigns, its handling of both symbolic measures and policy points, and its juicy dish about past Democratic candidates, this is the most convincing-and most entertaining-argument for Hillary yet.

Nonetheless, she does add several dimensions to the narration of the book that would likely be lost if it had been narrated by another, particularly her sense of recent political history and the strength of her conviction that Clinton should be the next Democratic nominee for president.

[Totally Committed]

60. Have you read it? It's all gossip and innuendo and "insider" secrets to prove

how well she's "connected". Estrich is a jerk (and, btw, ran the Dukakis for President Campaign -- and we all know how THAT worked out.)

TC

[alfredo]

55. Elizabeth is comfortable in her own skin. I find that sexy. Susan's

comment is a back handed compliment.

I think it is smart having Elizabeth out there fighting alongside her husband. It shows that they are a team, and that John Edwards will have a strong supporter when the going gets tough.


I really like the top three candidates, and will be happy to work for them come 2008, no matter who gets the nod.

[Apollo11]

75. I agree

There are lots of guys (like me) who aren't attracted to overly skinny women.

Anne Coulter is an example of a woman who thinks she can stay young by starving herself.

I also love how Elizabeth Edwards stands up for herself (and her husband!) B-)

[alfredo]

76. Physical features means little when there is no intelligence, no heart.

Once the body goes, if there is nothing tween the ears, life is not going to be very rewarding. This goes for guys too.

[AlCzervik]

58. I really hope Ms. Estrich no longer calls or considers her a feminist.

[AtomicKitten]

61. tacky commentary from Fox Noise

Don your hip boots; this is just the beginning of the sliming.

[saracat]

62. Fox News.One of Hillary's biggest supporters! I'll bet Rupert is proud of his girl now!

[zulchzulu]

63. Estrich is obviously every man's dream...

What a babe....

:rofl:

[AZBlue]

65. I expect nothing better (but possibly worse) from Fox.

[Bucky]

66. Wow, it's like they're attacking her for not dying of cancer

At least that seems to be the subtext. What horrible people.

[LBJDemocrat]

68. WTF?

Man, I'm getting so sick of Clinton and her mafia.

[Colobo]

69. This is what we are fighting against. We need change, not more of Susan Estrich and her cronies.

[Colobo]

70. Hillarites should denounce Estrich.

[illinoisprogressive]

71. OMG!!!! Elizabeth is beautiful and now I am pissed off.

[gorekerrydreamticket]

73. The politics of personal destruction....

The Clintons complain about it but their surrogates are out there doing it....