Eric Boehlert: Neera Tanden and how the press plays dumb about sexism, racism

[babylonsister]

https://pressrun.media/p/neera-tanden-and-how-the-press-plays

Neera Tanden and how the press plays dumb about sexism, racism
Here we go again
Eric Boehlert
2 hr ago

snip//

“I believe her overtly partisan statements will have a toxic and detrimental impact on the important working relationship between members of Congress and the next director of the Office of Management and Budget," announced Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

With that, Manchin likely became the first United States senator in history to vote against a cabinet-level nominee from his own party because that person was deemed to be too partisan. Because her tone was wrong. That stunning bout of illogical concern barely drew a second look from Beltway pundits, many of whom nodded their heads in agreement, as if the uncharted move made perfect sense.

What Manchin's unheard of claim should have prompted from the press was a search for the real reason behind his objections, and why it's possible all 50 Republican senators will vote against Tanden, when no previous Biden nominee has faced that kind of uniform GOP opposition. It should have sparked a searing and widespread look at whether women, and particularly women of color, are held to a different standard when they throw some partisan elbows around. (In 2018, Manchin voted to confirm right-wing Twitter troll Richard Grennell to become U.S. Ambassador to Germany.)

But the Beltway press doesn't want to dwell on prejudice. Anxious to turn the Tanden story into a procedural one, the news media stress the Biden White House is to blame for the possibly failed nominee; for “miscalculating.”

snip//

It's not surprising the Beltway press is ducking the sexism story, specifically. There still hasn't been an open and honest media discussion about how the political press mistreated Hillary Clinton when she ran in 2016, and in 2008. Instead, the press remains committed to the idea that Clinton was a uniquely flawed candidate. That way journalists don't have to acknowledge their sexist sins of the past.

New York Times political editor Patrick Healy last year: "I don't think we applied double standards to Clinton." This, from the newspaper that for 16 months treated Clinton's private emails is if they were Iran Contra + Watergate.

Why does the Times remain in denial about 2016? Because admitting that the paper engaged in deeply sexist behavior would damage how the Times likes to market itself, as being a fair, open-minded, and forward-thinking enterprise.

Democratic women of color continue to be held to a different Beltway set of rules in public life. That’s just not a story the press wants to tell.

[Demsrule86]

1. This is not true. Manchin is not racist that I have ever seen...Neera insulted his daughter over

the insulin hikes in her company...not a good look for Joe but not racism...we don't need to die on this hill. There are others who can do a good job.

[babylonsister]

2. No one is dying on any hill.

This is about the media and the gop ignoring the elephant in the room.

Yes, not a good look for Manchin; did the media point out why he's letting his personal opinions influence his decision?

[jimfields33]

4. Ben Carson only got 58 votes.

I think each candidate is voted on assignment.

[atreides1]

3. Manchin is a ass!

But no one can absolutely say whether he's a racist or not!

The problem is that he voted for Grenell, he voted in for Kavanaugh a misogynist, and he voted for Jeff Sessions, who we know was and still is a racist...and not the best person for the position of attorney general!

Manchin voted for three white men of questionable abilities...but he won't vote for a woman of color, because she insulted his daughter and he thinks she's too partisan!!!


Manchin is an ass, possibly a misogynist, but he could also still be racist!!!

[LizBeth]

5. Sanders was the first to wag the finger and scold her for her tone demanding an apology on record.