Were Senator Rand Paul’s Comments Towards Hillary Clinton Sexist?
Senator Rand Paul has recently faced criticism over his comments and behavior towards women. Senator Paul has yet again been drawn into another claim of sexism after comments made towards Hillary Clinton during a speech at the Republican Leadership Summit in New Hampshire on Saturday.
Senator Rand Paul made claims that Hillary Clinton, the overwhelming favorite to run for president on the Democrat ticket, needs an extra plane for her baggage. Senator Paul stated, “I’m starting to worry that when Hillary Clinton travels, there’s gonna need to be two planes – one for her and her entourage, and one for her baggage.”
The comment was well-received by crowd.
Rand Paul, a presidential candidate, has been criticized for his behavior towards women however, the Kentucky Senator stated that it would be sexist not to criticize Hillary Clinton just because she is a woman.
“I would treat her with the same respect that I would treat a man, but I wouldn’t lay down and say, ‘Oh, I’m not going to respond out of some sort of’ – and I think that would be a sexist response to say, ‘Oh, my goodness, she deserves not to be treated as aggressively, because she’s only a woman.”
Senator Paul continued, “I would never say that about anybody. And I don’t come into our interview thinking, ‘OK, it’s a woman versus a man kind of interview.'”
“I just think she’s going to ask tough questions, he will ask tough questions, I’ve got to be prepared.”
Senator Rand Paul had been criticized for his combative behavior towards NBC’s Savanah Guthrie during an interview where she pointed out that he had a habit on changing views on topics such as foreign policy and abortions.
Despite the criticisms of Senator Rand Paul, analysts from the right and the left have defended his comments and behavior in the past.
Fox News‘ Megyn Kelly defended Paul stating that “It’s ironic that the people trying to step in and protect these female interviewers are themselves being sexist while they’re suggesting that you were sexist.”
The Young Turks’ Cenk Uygur stated that journalists would not have been as tough on Senator Rand Paul had he been the president.
[Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images]
