Maureen Dowd echos the mainstream media myth that Hillary keeps dissing Obama. "She usually ignores Obama and John Edwards backstage, preferring to chat with the so-called second-tier candidates." Far be it for Dowd to back up her allegations with facts, as she has always played fast and loose when trashing Dems, but a) this is a sexist argument and b) I want to know what this meme is based on. At the YKos convention, Hillary talked with Obama backstage for about 5 minutes.
For someone who supposedly cares about women's issues (Are Men Necessary?), Dowd seems perfectly happy to trash Hillary as a "debate dominatrix" who "continued to flick the whip." What exactly would a man have to do to be characterized as such?
Dowd's claim that Clinton speaks primarily to the 2nd tier candidates seems odd, especially given the outrage some had over Clinton and Edwards' discussion in July that the debates should be limited to only the top tier candidates. I'm not sure which debates Dowd hung out backstage, but this meme regarding has some legs.
Now, granted, I've only been backstage at one debate (the YearlyKos convention--don't forget to register for the Netroots Nation conference before the end of the month when rates go up!), but at that debate, Clinton and Obama spoke for about 5 minutes, with John Edwards turning around and joining the discussion for at least a minute. Granted, the on-stage seating had Clinton seated by Obama, but she seemed gracious and warm and could have just spoken to me or the other volunteers if she was trying to "Shake, Rattle and Roll" Obama.
I suppose it is possible that is the only time Clinton has ever spoken with Obama backstage, but it seems rather unlikely. Obama, Clinton and Edwards seemed warm and like they were all in the same group together.
(For the record, I'm still undecided. I haven't take my Gore button off my bag yet, although I've accepted he won't run. But if I end up supporting Clinton, it will be, at least in part, because of the unfair coverage she keeps getting!)