Anyone notice the bizarre "man-love" some male reporters show hyper-masculine politicians?

[HardWorkingDem]

It's being reported Tom Brokaw did some interceding for the McCain campaign regarding NBC's treatment of the McCain campaign. Then add to this, Tweety's constant fixation on "real men" politicians. You know, the one's that seem to always be exaggerating their toughness and masculinity.

People like these two always seem to be focused on the masculine aspect of politics more than any other aspect. Listen to how often Matthews blathers over Scranton, PA and back room tough politics.

I mean, not to over psychoanalyze people like these two, but doesn't it seem like they have some sort of strange fixation on hyper-masculine male politicians? It's sort of like they both are trying to overcompensate for something.

Heck, I'd like to see the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket interview these two about their relationships with their fathers or father figures in their lives.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Yeah, Broder trumpeting about McCain's "alpha male" performance, Roger

Simon proclaiming "the Mac is Back!" and that McCain's rudeness was a sign of strength. Journalists must have a girlie-man elitist complex that makes them subconsciously worship displays of machismo.

[Honeycombe8]

2. To play devil's advocate...there is the flip side: the Dems have an image problem with "girly men"

The Dems have an image issue with "girly men" type politicians, in the view of some conservatives. Remember Schwarzenegger's comment? Think Harry Reid, Kucinich, and others. Small men with high pitched voices who are passivists (in the view of conservatives) and overly sympathetic and compassionate (again, in the view of conservatives)...which are regarded as female traits. They also tended to cave, when in a heated battle with the opposition.

Contrast with the new Democratic image of Jim Webb and that new northwestern congressman...I forget his name. Macho-type Dems who won in traditionally Republican territories.

In the spirit of the partisan divide in the country now, it seems that the stereotypes of both sides got stronger in the last 8 or so years. The Repubs got more and more macho-esque, while the Dems seemed to get weaker and weaker. It seems to be gravitating more to the center, now, on both sides. The Dems seem to be getting stronger, and the Republicans are actually getting better at not beating the war drums and doing other overly macho things.