My first job out of college was at the Republican National Committee. A woman, Mary Louise Smith, was its leader. I later worked in the Reagan Administration, where four women held Cabinet positions, a record at the time. I’ve had no shortage of female role models in the Republican Party, including two Senators from Maine who have significant roles in today’s health care debate. So why would the NRCC state the Speaker of the House should be put “in her place.” Just where is this “place”? And why would such language, a throwback to a different time that we’ve fortunately moved away from, be appropriate for anyone, never mind individuals in leadership, to use?
Were William Safire still alive, I would hope he’d have taken the NRCC to task in his Sunday column “On Language” with his wry edge and knowing style. Maybe he would have instead defined “Neanderthal” since that appears to be an appropriate moniker for some in the Party.
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Tags: Mary Louise Smith, National Republican Congressional Committee, Politics, Republican, Republican National Committee, Society and Culture, United States, William Safire
I so wish they had not say that..very disappointing. I liked Pelosi’s answer. I like what you wrote!
It’s troubling to see us go backwards in time by using this style of speaking. I agree Safire would have taken them on and good for you for doing so! Well written!