National Journal - People not focusing on Herseth record.
An avid reader sent this on to me from an article in today's National Journal regarding Democratic Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth:
The State GOP had a press release about Herseth voting with Democrats on opening up 2,000 acres of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration which would reduce imports and improve supply. Did it get any amount of play whatsoever? Nada.
But talk about Stephanie's hair? It lights up the blogosphere.
Is there a double standard in South Dakota and some of the Washington media? You bet. Is it going to change anytime soon? Probably not. Which is a bit disappointing for my daughters or my wife, or any other female who would someday aspire to run for office.
Focus on the issues and less on what a candidate is wearing. Then we can decide who is the best for our state on something tangible.
As the youngest woman in a Congress dominated by older men, however, Herseth finds that the media aren't always interested in focusing on her speeches and her legislative record. The politics1.com Web site named Herseth as the "hottest woman in politics" in 2004, and her switch to a new hairstyle, including blond highlights, prompted one observer to tell The Hill newspaper in May that she'd gone "from bookworm to bombshell."I'd have to agree that the media tends to focus on her looks rather than her record. But then again, most male reporters aren't going to look and fantasize like a juvenile about Thune or Johnson in pajamas having a naughty pillow fight.
and...
The publicity that Herseth attracts has some Republicans grumbling.
South Dakota GOP Chairman Randy Frederick noted that while the state's press corps regularly scrutinizes Johnson and Republican Sen. John Thune, Herseth has enjoyed a "free ride" in coverage. "Rarely do I see anything from the press that seems critical of her or takes her to task," Frederick said, adding that "she almost has this 'princess' aura -- she can do no wrong."
The State GOP had a press release about Herseth voting with Democrats on opening up 2,000 acres of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration which would reduce imports and improve supply. Did it get any amount of play whatsoever? Nada.
But talk about Stephanie's hair? It lights up the blogosphere.
Is there a double standard in South Dakota and some of the Washington media? You bet. Is it going to change anytime soon? Probably not. Which is a bit disappointing for my daughters or my wife, or any other female who would someday aspire to run for office.
Focus on the issues and less on what a candidate is wearing. Then we can decide who is the best for our state on something tangible.
Comments
I think the last time this happened it went from Herseths hair to Kate Loobys hair and at the end of the days there were over thirty comments sent in on the topic.
There has to be more to think about than bad hair here. But I guess it's entertaining enough to capture everyone's attention so let the bloging begin.
I think PP was saying that it shouldn't be what matters.
Anyway, the headline is a little misleading. You should also note that the brief section you quote only notes that the media "aren't always" covering her record. It doesn't say that nobody is covering her record.
More than half the NJ profile is about her record.
why, yes he did. he called her "Princess Stephanie from the Democratic Duchy Of Herseth in Northeastern South Dakota". you can't find it online, but Dakota Politics reprinted part of Hemmingson's quote:
http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com/south_dakota_politics/2004/week5/index.html#entry-789746