An inconvenient---and DISGUSTING---truth: the real reason Republicans are vilifying Speaker

[Atticus]

Pelosi has nothing to do with her policies or her competence and is the same as their reason for the 2016 "Hate Hillary" campaign---she doesn't have a penis.

Republicans default to bullying when other tactics don't seem to be working. If one accuses the Speaker of advocating some specific policy, she can deny or explain the details of why that isn't accurate. But, she cannot deny or explain away the fact that "she's a girl" and, hell, "everyone knows" that "girls" are "the weaker sex" and tend to be "erratic" and "unserious" and "shrill" when criticized.

This is why Republicans think they are "smearing" Democratic Senate candidates by linking them to Nancy. This is misogyny, plain and simple.

[Walleye]

1. Obvious to me all along. Sick of the Pundits talking like it's a policy thing.

Really tired of all the female Republican misogynists. Who was it used to say “when we take over we got to get rid of a few of us, too”?

[Sympthsical]

2. I don't think anyone - including Republicans - think Speaker Pelosi is weak

She is formidable and intelligent. They don't perceive her as a weak woman in some sexist vein. They see her as a threat. She's as threatening as any male ever was.

I think reducing opposition to her as mere sexism actually reduces her stature. It explains away her achievements, her intelligence, her power.

She's a powerful figure in her own right. She has done nothing but fuck with Republicans on every single level.

The idea, "They hate her because they're sexist," seems to diminish all she has done.

They vilify her because they saw how she wrestled Trump to the mat. So they need to vilify her. It's a credit, not a diminishment.

[Atticus]

5. I agree that Republicans don't PERCEIVE her as weak, but that does not stop them from

appealing to the misogyny of their "base".

I think they actually "FEARED" Hillary, but the implied "she's only a girl" campaign worked.

[Sympthsical]

22. I'm trying to wrap my head around the "She's only a girl" part of your assertion

I've never seen that with Clinton or Pelosi. With Clinton especially, they always fell back on (please forgive this term) feminazi. Rush Limbaugh used that term prolifically. That she was this crazy feminist who was going to come kick men in the balls.

And, again, that doesn't strike me as any kind of perception of weakness. Hillary has always been seen as (again, forgive this term) a ball-breaker.

I don't disagree that Republicans are chock full of sexism. Just your characterization strikes me as strange.

They don't fear weak women or use that as a characterization. They don't worry, "She's only a girl." They worry, "She's a girl coming for your manhood."

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you. "Only a girl" seems to imply weakness in some way. Those two women are anything but.

[PatSeg]

31. Exactly

They use misogyny against her and other strong women, because it works with their base. They do similar things against people of color or Muslims. They are inherently dishonest and use whatever smears work, because winning is everything. There is no road too low for them and I think they take pride in dirty political tricks.

[Haggard Celine]

14. I agree.

The main reason they hate Pelosi is because she is smart and effective. They can’t get their shit past her, and that is so frustrating for them!

[Mr. Evil]

28. What they really wish they could do is

just smack her around a bit, tell her to be quiet and that 'the men' are in control.
You have to be a misogynist and a sadist to be a republican.

[Wounded Bear]

16. Similar to the hatred of Pres Obama...

they hated him because he was black, for sure, but they hated him most because he was a Dem and he got shit done.

They hate Madame Speaker because she's been effective. The misogyny just gives them an easier target.

[Goonch]

3. ;-{)

[bullwinkle428]

4. I keep going back to the "merch salesman" at RW gatherings. This guy

was interviewed about how his business was doing several weeks back, and he expressed that the anti-Hillary and anti-Obama stuff was still selling like hotcakes, but he couldn't even give the anti-Biden stuff away.

Do we need further proof that racism and misogyny are the "rocket fuel" that propels the engines of fascists?

[niyad]

6. So very true.

[betsuni]

10. +1

[smirkymonkey]

41. Wow, that's interesting.

I hadn't heard that before. Really shows you who they are.

[uponit7771]

43. +1,

[gab13by13]

7. They fear her, period.

[Demnation]

15. Interesting way of putting it.

[Maru Kitteh]

40. Really? Think maybe we can grow up a little? The woman has

probably not had a menstrual cycle in 20-30 years. Let's play grownup and see if we can get beyond women's bodily functions.

[Bettie]

8. Yeah, that's why they use AOC as the "scary" name as well

they hate women. Even right wing women hate women.

[KS Toronado]

9. And to be honest about it......

We'll "smear" Qpublican candidates by linking them to Qrump, M Greene, Matt Gaetz, etc.

[kcr]

32. Not even remotely the same thing

They link themselves to those candidates for one thing.

[Caliman73]

37. We don't smear. We link Republicans with the actions and policies of Trump.

We do so because they all support Trump. Trump was one of, if not the worst President in US history so far. He is the leader of the Republican Party. He is not awful because he is a man, or White. Those characteristics certainly influence his world view, but they do not define him. Joe Biden is a man, and White, So is Eric Swallwell, John Kerry, etc... Trump is awful because he has said and done awful things and that is why Democrats dislike him to the point of hatred. We do not use misandry to go after Trump we don't attack his gender, sexuality, Whiteness, etc... We attack his actions, his statements, and what he has done to the US.

When the Republicans go after Nancy Pelosi, or AOC, or Kamala Harris, they do not attack the actions and policy positions that they have taken. They make up a caricature of a "socialist" or "radical" and they include very specific gendered lines of attack. They appeal to the sexism that is prevalent in their base.

You cannot compare the strategies. One is based on specific actions of the person and the support that the Republicans continue to give to Trump, the other is based on falsehoods.

[CaptainTruth]

11. The GOP superiority mindset isn't just about white superiority...

...it's white, male, rich, religious superiority. Hence the misogyny.

We let them off the hook too easily when we only focus on their racist white superiority, there's a lot more to their superiority psychosis than just racism.

[multigraincracker]

12. Their hands are full with Liz Cheney.

We need to focus on their hate of strong women and only support the flawed ones that are rising in their own party.
Nothing we can do to stop a train reck, other than get out of their way.

[Aviation Pro]

13. And yet this photo

[Wounded Bear]

18. Might just be me, but I think that pic has been altered...

[COL Mustard]

19. It's From "Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman"

Or something like that

[Aviation Pro]

20. Personally....

...I would have loved to see Speaker Pelosi at that size reach out across the table, grab that fuckwit by his pus-filled, fatfuck neck and shake him, "like a dog."

That would warm my cockles, green brother.

[smirkymonkey]

42. Just visualizing that scenario makes me feel joyful.

I can think of some more things I'd like to see her do to him, but I would probably get banned if I repeated them here.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

44. I love that picture

Makes me feel happy inside. Nancy kicking republican ass.

[Sherman A1]

17. You just figured this out

Been good on for a very long time.

[TimeToGo]

21. True, but

let's understand that even if it were Speaker Frank Pelosi they would call a democratic speaker weak. It's what they always do. it's the insult they think is among the worst things to say about an opposition leader. And I guess that's kind of true -- no one wants a weak leader (we should discus the definitional problem of what they mean by that). The problem is it doesn't have to be based on reality. And yea it helps with their followers if it is a woman because that feeds into their antecedent beliefs -- but they don't call GOP women weak -- they are labeled strong and decisive because they say and do what the GOP wants said and done.

Presidents too. Biden, Obama, Clinton, Carter . . . all were called weak. And of course, the insult will be lined up ready for any democratic president or leader in the future -- certainly if it is a woman, but regardless -- if there is a D next to the name they will call that person weak (but also, at the same time, a determined dictator who wants to rule the socialist world, somehow)

[JohnnyRingo]

23. They would still vilify a male Democratic Speaker of the House

They would just do it in a different way, but disrespectfully just as much. They see women have a different set of weaknesses than men and exploit it to their advantage.

Men obviously don't get a political free pass for having a schlong. Ask "Little Timmy" Ryan, "Pedophile Joe" Biden, or that Horse face John Kerry. We know what they called Obama.

[NewJeffCT]

25. Bill Clinton was hammered daily in the media

back in the 1990s. Same with Jimmy Carter back in the late 70s.

The half dozen investigations into the death of Vince Foster was the Benghazi of the 90s. And, let's not forget the GOP investigation into Socks the Cat.

[LittleGirl]

24. Yeah, this after they had the biggest drama queen POTUS eveh! eom

[tiredtoo]

26. Republicans have always feared STRONG women. EOM

[musclecar6]

35. Absolutely

Republican men think the woman’s place is at least 10 paces behind at all times. Republican women don’t have enough sense to realize that, unless of course they love being shit on by these assholes or they’re just too fucking stupid to get it.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

27. If Margaret Thatcher is The Iron Lady, what is Pelosi?

What is a good nickname for her? Her ability to force reps like Anthony Weiner and Katie Hill to resign might be key to her superpower.

[LaMouffette]

30. Ooo! Ooo! How about The Titanium Madam!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

36. the word Titanium will be instantly shortened.

I wouldn't go there.

[LaMouffette]

38. Too bad we have to think about such things! But we do have to be on the alert for possible

Beavis and Butthead–level reactions!

[LaMouffette]

29. They pick on Nancy (and Hillary, and AOC, etc.) for the same reason a dog licks its genitals:

Because they can. Bullies pick on people whom they perceive as being weaker than themselves.

And women, especially women of color, in the US are seen as safe targets for the Republican bullies because in our culture they still have lower status than white men in the eyes of many (incredibly stupid) people.

And when a woman is truly powerful, like the awe-inspiring Nancy Pelosi, she is seen as upending the "accepted" social hierarchy. How dare she not be meek and submissive and gentle and nice?! they think. That's why people hate Hillary, too.

And, AND a powerful woman scares the bejesus out of men because she reminds them of when they were tiny and weak as little boys and were under the absolute control of their mommies.

That infamous photo someone doctored with a giant Nancy domineering tiny Trump at that meeting says it all.

Okay, that's my Psychology 101 take on it!

[Jetheels]

33. They're white supremacists, who regard women as second class, created for making babies and

doing housework. Republicans have no policies other than authoritarian rule. They rule in order to keep people poor, addicted to drugs, uneducated, underpaid, unhealthy, misinformed, armed, and at war. Misogyny is a part in their larger picture.

[H2O Man]

34. Recommended.

While I am convinced that the republicans would vilify any Democrat iwho was Speaker, I know that the manner in which they vilify Nancy is unique to their attacking women.

[Maraya1969]

39. I couldn't believe what someone posted in a Youtube thread about VP Harris

Of course it had the disgusting racism but it also had the disgusting misogyny. And it was a woman according to the screen name.

[applegrove]

45. Anti-feminism is what they dog whistle now. They can't say it outright

but give misogynists a wink every now and then. Trump lost more suburban women in 2020. I wonder how many men who want to be kings in their own castles voted for him, of all races.