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2016 Postmortem

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BeliQueen

(504 posts)
Fri Oct 19, 2012, 04:01 PM Oct 2012

“If...” A Dog Whistle Only Women Can Hear [View all]

The “binders full of women” meme took over the national discourse to the point that it was referred to as “Binder-gate” by Joe Scarborough. One pundit pointed out that he didn't notice the odd phrasing, but his wife did.

And if you go back and watch that portion of the debate, you will hear the real reason why this phrase—which was just really the slip of the tongue—resonated like a high-pitched bell with women.

When asked about equal pay for equal work, instead of answering the question directly Mitt Romney sidetracked the question entirely, and said "If you’re going to have women in the workforce…”

Contrast this statement with the way Mitt talks about his run for the presidency. He almost always uses the word “when” like it's a foregone conclusion that he will win--votes be damned. He acts like this election is a hostile takeover, and he is speaking to a boardroom of people who used to be in power but are now cowering under his gaze just hoping that they can keep their jobs and that he won't declare war against their competitors.

But when referring to working women, he used the non-declarative phrasing “If...” Mitt Romney lives in a world where women don't have to work. They choose to work. Most women live in the world where they have to work to make ends meet. I know exactly one stay-at-home mom, and she works freelance while homeschooling her children.

Mitt lives in a world where you can be the CEO of a company for twenty years and still not know one woman qualified to fill a cabinet position. I can name at least ten women who hold such qualifications and that's in my family alone. Don't get me started on the talented and intelligent women who are my friends and co-workers.

He then goes on to say that he’s going to create so many jobs that employers are going to be anxious to hire women. But hiring women is the foregone conclusion. Who wouldn't want the same productivity at three-quarters of the cost? It’s a free-market dream. But it’s a financial nightmare for women.

So in the light of these statements and the ever revealing truth that the scenario he put forth was a fictional account of the events that he concocted to fit his narrative, it's easy to see that the “binders full of women” comment was a crystallization of the ridiculousness of a man who is unwilling to support equal pay for women.

So this is what we heard. This is why it resonates. “If…” is the dog whistle only women could hear.

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Did you write this? madaboutharry Oct 2012 #1
Thank you. Yes I did. BeliQueen Oct 2012 #2
It is really a great piece! fleur-de-lisa Oct 2012 #8
I was going to say the same, I was waiting for the link to the journalist SaveAmerica Oct 2012 #23
Definitely should be in print for the DC Villagers to read over their morning coffee. Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2012 #28
Articulate and accurate AllieO Oct 2012 #65
My first thought too! whttevrr Oct 2012 #35
I noticed that "if" as soon as I heard it. Blue_In_AK Oct 2012 #3
The main issue for women in the workplace is being treated like women in the workplace. Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2012 #30
He is 65 years old and hasn't a clue about women's issues ailsagirl Oct 2012 #69
This is awesome, BeliQueen qanda Oct 2012 #4
Thanks, qanda BeliQueen Oct 2012 #5
I noticed it too Samjm Oct 2012 #6
K&R SalviaBlue Oct 2012 #7
I posted about this yesterday... barnabas63 Oct 2012 #9
This is great! And the next word is . . . StatGirl Oct 2012 #10
I caught that, too obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #68
The big "If" stood out to me that night, and I told a friend about it. lindysalsagal Oct 2012 #11
"IF" - I noted that too, and that was the big miss by the media. Big. Faygo Kid Oct 2012 #12
well said! I heard it too. n/t CitizenPatriot Oct 2012 #13
Are you talking about the same dog whistle that Mitt installed on the roof of his car? YayArea Oct 2012 #14
Does that mean I'm a woman? TahitiNut Oct 2012 #15
Good point. Many men are also tuned in to signs of discrimination against women. Chemisse Oct 2012 #18
It was only for a couple of years in the late 40s and early 50s TahitiNut Oct 2012 #42
yeah, but what a guy! lunatica Oct 2012 #50
No, just a PROGRESSIVE Man with better than average hearing. Tigress DEM Oct 2012 #57
You would think that with all of the people he has met on the campaign trail, men & women, that he Dustlawyer Oct 2012 #16
That is so true. Chemisse Oct 2012 #19
Excellent, BeliQueen, thank you so much for Cha Oct 2012 #17
Excellent writing, BeliQueen, and thank you for posting this NBachers Oct 2012 #20
Brilliant! ocd liberal Oct 2012 #21
Gave me a gut punch when I read this great piece... Bradical79 Oct 2012 #22
WOW!!! Well said!! Debbie357 Oct 2012 #24
Excellent piece Liberalynn Oct 2012 #25
Really well stated... What he said would be totally progressive 50 years ago XemaSab Oct 2012 #26
Great job! nt ProudProgressiveNow Oct 2012 #27
Also, binders full of mail order brides courseofhistory Oct 2012 #29
You are right on target! Stargazer09 Oct 2012 #31
'If' made me angry. xxqqqzme Oct 2012 #32
I heard "if" and thought... "seriously dude?" XtopherXtopher Oct 2012 #33
Not only that... nyhuskyfan Oct 2012 #34
Missed the "if..." whttevrr Oct 2012 #36
It's amazing how quick my ears shut down when I know... Kalidurga Oct 2012 #37
And Made All Of The More Delicious Because It Didn't Happen As Romney Says DallasNE Oct 2012 #38
You'd think after the young weasely one on his ticket... Blanks Oct 2012 #55
He's counting on simply brazening it out JHB Oct 2012 #56
Non-discriminant francophile Oct 2012 #39
Welcome to DU francophile! Nostradammit Oct 2012 #40
If you're going to allow women to vote . . . tclambert Oct 2012 #41
Nicely said quaker bill Oct 2012 #43
Mitt Zombie did not HAVE binders of women... murphyj87 Oct 2012 #44
But But But the poles say women are flipping to bonniebgood Oct 2012 #45
He'll win Florida - TBF Oct 2012 #48
Excellent analysis. Major Hogwash Oct 2012 #46
Very good analysis. Women in the workforce are an afterthought TBF Oct 2012 #47
Perfect! I heard everything he said that night and was hollering back at him. I've worked for txwhitedove Oct 2012 #49
Very well written and insightful OmahaBlueDog Oct 2012 #51
Top-notch analysis and writing. I missed the 'if'. +1000. nt. Mc Mike Oct 2012 #52
Good analysis Helen Reddy Oct 2012 #53
The fact that he doesn't know any qualified women Patiod Oct 2012 #54
How do you go through a business life and not run into a ton of qualified women? dynasaw Oct 2012 #58
I am very impressed louis c Oct 2012 #59
I'm a woman but I didn't "hear" it. The stench of lies pouring out of his mouth overwhelms me. Tigress DEM Oct 2012 #60
k&r Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #61
Great piece. We heard "if" here as well. DirkGently Oct 2012 #62
A fine piece of writing libodem Oct 2012 #63
k&r n/t RainDog Oct 2012 #64
A very well written article kurtzapril4 Oct 2012 #66
You should really submit this to - I dunno - Huffpost, NYT, or somewhere. ProfessionalLeftist Oct 2012 #67
Yes yes yes yes yes! LiberalAndProud Oct 2012 #70
If... you're going to let women have the right to vote- dchill Oct 2012 #71
Well done, but as a man, I certainly heard it too.... pointsoflight Oct 2012 #72
Blind/Deaf/Dumb skiptaylor Oct 2012 #73
I knew he didn't support it. His very reluctance to say so, for one thing. calimary Oct 2012 #74
Excellent post Lunabelle Oct 2012 #75
Sounded like he was anxious to hire Chinese women for awhile, woodsprite Oct 2012 #76
New song that helps people understand Mitt Romney "See Mitt Run" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_qc KarenElissa Oct 2012 #77
Excellent analysis!!! And the "going to be anxious" is interesting phrasing, too, for to be anxious WinkyDink Oct 2012 #78
Thanks for hearing what I heard Hekate Oct 2012 #79
Since Republican business models DEPEND upon wage/salary DISPARITY, I don't understand what's "IF.." patrice Oct 2012 #80
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