# Is this Newsweek cover of Palin sexist? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 17, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941 "2009-11-17T18:59:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/41 "2009-11-17T21:02:44Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > She’s the one who chose to pose for it. > > Is the Obama cover sexist? > > Just because an image is sexualized doesn’t mean it’s sexist. No, the Obama cover isn’t sexist. The purpose of the article is that DC has a hot new neighbor. The Newsweek article is sexist. The purpose of the article is that Sarah is bad news for the GOP and has nothing to do with how hot she is. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/42 "2009-11-17T21:13:00Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > Yeah, winking will do that. And God forbid that she primp her hair, the harlot. Honestly she should just keep her fucking mouth shut and be happy that people find her attractive. It’s an asset, and there is no reason to act like a boor when it’s put on display. She needs to own it. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/43 "2009-11-17T21:15:45Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > What she wears to photo shoots does. That ensemble was… not smart, inasmuch as it’s not flattering, to either her brains or her body. I think it’s very flattering. She looks hot in that photo. But yes, this shouldn’t reflect on the fact that she’s a total dumbass. > [@](#): > > That said, anyone claiming that this is NOT a sexist cover is full of crap. I don’t care how much you hate her (believe me, you don’t hate her more than I do), that cover is not okay. It’s not sexist, that’s such bullshit. We live in a highly sexualized culture. She plays on it and people like it. Complaining is stupid and makes her look weak IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/44 "2009-11-17T21:22:16Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Honestly she should just keep her fucking mouth shut and be happy that people find her attractive. It’s an asset, and there is no reason to act like a boor when it’s put on display. There certainly is when it’s used to portray her in a superficial light and to accompany a biased declaration stated as fact that she’s bad not only for the GOP but the entire country as well. > [@mswas](#): > > But yes, this shouldn’t reflect on the fact that she’s a total dumbass. No, she isn’t. Somewhat like Caroline Kennedy (only not quite that bad) she lacks political depth and sophistication in dealing with the media. But she is not stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/45 "2009-11-17T21:24:11Z")
That photo just isn’t striking me as sexist. Is she being sexualized in some way? Or marginalized to look like a Stepford wife? I don’t think so. Does it make her look like a doofus? Absolutely! What with the American flag draped on her chair, hecks, yeah. I see this very much as an analog to the John Kerry windsurfing or maybe the Dukakis riding in the tank: a picture that is embarassing outside of its original context. Sarah Palin needs to toughen up a little. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/46 "2009-11-17T21:24:21Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I loathe Palin, but it’s totally sexist. When was the last time you saw a \*Newsweek \*cover of a \*\*male \*\*politician in revealing exercise clothes? Meh. I seem to recall photos of Bill Clinton in short running shorts appearing in the media fairly regularly when he was in office. Don’t know if those photos ever made the cover of _Newsweek_ specifically, but they were pretty common. And, “revealing”? Why, because her legs are bare? The only thing that makes it even moderately sexy is her pose, which she presumably chose to do herself. I’m not seeing the “sexist” – then again, I don’t find bare legs on anyone to be all that scandalous. BTW, what’s in her hand in the photo? I can’t make it out. ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/47 "2009-11-17T21:28:51Z")
Palin’s primary appeal is the way she looks. It’s the only reason anyone has ever heard of her. Her whole career is based on sexism. Sexy poses sell more mags. Magazine covers are all about marketing. And yes, if Newsweek could figure out how to justify a pic of Obama shirtless, they would go for it. Newt Gingrich, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/48 "2009-11-17T21:30:04Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Click my link in post #10. That’s for a different type of magazine and a different type of article. From what I can tell “Washingtonian” seems to be a lifestyle & location magazine, not a news source and the report seems to be on Obama’s favorite jogging loop, not his economic policies. Palin’s picture is appropriate for a running magazine and “Favorite Energy Drinks of the Candidates” articles. When a news magazine uses it for an article on her fitness for office, it’s sexist. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/49 "2009-11-17T21:35:49Z")
It’s obviously sexist. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/50 "2009-11-17T21:38:08Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > BTW, what’s in her hand in the photo? I can’t make it out. A cellphone and a Blackberry. The strip of land in the background makes if difficult to identify. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/51 "2009-11-17T21:46:41Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > It may or may not be sexist but it’s wording is a perfect illustration of propagandistic media bias. In what possible way is it an example of “propagandistic media bias”? She _is_ bad news for both sides. _She’s a maverick_, remember? I do agree that the use of that picture is a bit sexist, but hardly worth talking about. I also can’t believe that _Newsweek_ couldn’t find anyone important to put on the cover. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/52 "2009-11-17T21:47:13Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > It’s obviously sexist. What makes it sexist? I just don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/53 "2009-11-17T21:53:43Z")
Why are we comparing the treatment of Sarah Palin with that of politicians? She quit that job, didn’t she? How many similarly-attired authors has _Newsweek_ put on its cover? How many authors, period? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/54 "2009-11-17T22:01:27Z")
Well, as I recall, Newsweek put her on its cover [once before](http://blog.qusan.com/2008/10/black-don-crack-white-do.html), and got shit about it then, too. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/55 "2009-11-17T22:01:46Z")
This Palin picture, paired with an article on her exercise routine, would not be sexist. This picture, paired with an article about her effect on the Republican party, is sexist. The Obama beefcake picture, paired with an article on him being the new ‘hot neighbor’ is not sexist. The Obama beefcake picture, in an article on his health-care initiative or global warming, would be sexist. It’s all about context. Does the picture fit what the article is about? If not, and it’s sexy just for the titillation factor, then it’s sexist. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/56 "2009-11-17T22:03:28Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I think it’s sexist. All other things being equal, I don’t think they would have done this with a male politician. Okay, what’s “equal”? Let’s presume that a leftie male pol, roughly the same age and attractiveness as Palin—call him Anthony Weiner, who happens to be my congressman–decides to pose for a magazine to get some publicity. So Weiner’s voluntarily posing for “the Rockaway Beach Gazette” in a Speedo to publicize, oh, let’s say, cleaning up the beaches in his district. A few months afterwards, say there’s talk of Weiner running for higher office. Are you seriously telling me that that revealing publicity shot of Weiner will be scrupulously suppressed by all media on grounds of good taste? Are you saying that Fox news will fire an editor who opts to run that photo? Because if you are, I’ve got some things to tell you in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/57 "2009-11-17T22:06:32Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Okay, what’s “equal”? Let’s presume that a leftie male pol, roughly the same age and attractiveness as Palin—call him Anthony Weiner, who happens to be my congressman–decides to pose for a magazine to get some publicity. So Weiner’s voluntarily posing for “the Rockaway Beach Gazette” in a Speedo to publicize, oh, let’s say, cleaning up the beaches in his district. A few months afterwards, say there’s talk of Weiner running for higher office. Are you seriously telling me that that revealing publicity shot of Weiner will be scrupulously suppressed by all media on grounds of good taste? Are you saying that Fox news will fire an editor who opts to run that photo? > > Because if you are, I’ve got some things to tell you in the Pit. No, but there was an article in a national news magazine in which Mr. Weiner’s legislative record was highlighted, I doubt the Speedo picture would be on the cover. And if it were, it would be sexist. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/58 "2009-11-17T22:11:25Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > There certainly is when it’s used to portray her in a superficial light and to accompany a biased declaration stated as fact that she’s bad not only for the GOP but the entire country as well. I happen to agree with that. She’s an idiot who is chronically wrong. You can’t portray her in a superficial light because the love of her IS superficial. People like her because she is a MILF who hunts wolves from Helicopters. It can’t be for her astute knowledge of policy. I’m sorry, but the librul meedeuh is dishonestly portraying her as superficial screed doesn’t fly. She IS shallow and superficial. All identity politics all the time. > [@](#): > > No, she isn’t. Somewhat like Caroline Kennedy (only not quite that bad) she lacks political depth and sophistication in dealing with the media. But she is not stupid. She’s not stupid in an average person sense, but she’s too stupid to be playing politics at the national level. Look dealing with the media is part of being a national politician, and to be honest, I think she’s VERY sophisticated in the way she deals with the media. She cried sexism to win brownie points from her fans, not because she was actually offended in some way. If she were to study policy as well as she studies branding, she might actually know a thing or two about a thing or two. She’s incredibly astute and managing her brand, regarding everything else, she’s a twit. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/59 "2009-11-17T22:16:24Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > You are aware that according to the CNN article that photo was lifted from a _Runner’s World_ photo shoot, correct? Yes. I read the fucking article when it came out and remember thinking, “Wtf is up with the tiny shorts and glossy legs?” > [@](#): > > Which brings to mind another little bit of journalistic dishonesty on _Newsweek’s_ part: i.e., people are going to think she posed that way for publication in a serious national news magazine. Posed what way? Sexualized? So it’s okay, so long as it’s not for a news publication? Right, the point is the woman uses sexuality to boost her popularity, but cries when no one takes her seriously. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941/60 "2009-11-17T22:18:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Is [this](http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/books/blog/washingtonian2.png) a sexist magazine cover? > > She’s full of shit, and she’s also hypocritical. She uses the cheesecake imagery when it suits her – remember the inane winking and primping during the debates – but then she wants to say that the “meda” is being sexist when it publishes photos that she herself dressed and posed for. She chose to sexualize her own image. The media didn’t do it. That photo is different. It doesn’t depict Obama as an object. Sarah Palin is a victim of of the left. That cannot be changed by any number of counter-example photographs of other politicians. She’s a mavericky maverick. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-newsweek-cover-of-palin-sexist/517941.md?page=4)