Home > Opinion > Bonnie Erbe > Obama Not Comfortable With Women in Basketball, Golf ... or Anywhere Else

Obama Not Comfortable With Women in Basketball, Golf ... or Anywhere Else

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The guy is trying to manage a country and you want to criticise him for being uncomfortable around woman. Maybe you should ask Michelle. I am glad you are not managing this country.

k of CA 6:14AM February 26, 2011

I do not think Obama is pro-feminist at all. He constantly uses sexist language and doesn't seem inclined to pay Michelle back for her career sacrifices. (Yes, I think he should become a househusband after his presidental term is over.)
Unlike Michele Bachelet and Jose Luis Zapatero, Obama was never committed to having an equal number of women and men in his Cabinet. Even though he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Act, he hasn't made pay equity a priority in his Administration.
During the campaign, Michelle Obama said that she would make work-family balance isssues a priority. But I see no evidence of it. I hate to say it, but I do think she has become a Stepford Wife.

Kathleen Trigiani of TX 12:01AM January 05, 2010

I agree with this assessment of Obama and women. I figured out during the primaries that he was a sexist. Unfortunately, women's rights groups no longer defend the rights of women. They are just arms of the Democratic Party.

Susan of CA 11:45PM December 05, 2009

So you want Bush back? Did you want McCain to win the election? Maybe we can have a big bake sale with McCain keeling over from a heart attack and Palins kids having retarded babies and dealing meth.

路易 1:37AM November 24, 2009

Maybe he just wants to have competitive match ups. Allowing women to play would drop the level of competition. I had not played basketball in over two years and beat my friend who was in two women's leagues and played in college 10-0. Maybe the President does not want to worry about hurting anyone's feelings and just wants to have fun.

Zach of CA 2:41AM November 17, 2009

Obama has no respect for women because Muslims have no respect for women. Good work Bonnie!!

sara of MI 3:21PM November 03, 2009

Thank you, Bonnie, for telling it like so many of us see it. It is a joke that Obama is doing anything beyond the safe bets for women. Indeed it is all about getting votes. The fact that Ms. Magazine put him on the cover in a t-shirt saying, "This is what a feminist looks like" is on par with him receiving a Nobel Peace Prize for doing nothing.
I remember the real Michelle during the campaign. I am not buying the act.

Cabblyn of KY 12:48AM November 03, 2009

While this is interesting, I don't see how it's some kind of insidious insight into Obama's "true nature" or attitude against women. I think most men in our society, even many who would identify as feminist, still have problems competing with women in sports. I am not saying this is OK, and I agree it should be changed. Obama would be sending a great message to both men and women alike by allowing women into his b-ball games. But I think it is important to understand that this is a societal problem, not just a personal one. Obama has done a lot to help women throughout the world. Signing the Lily Ledbetter Act was Obama's first act as president, and shortly after he overturned the global gag order. This doesn't make him immune from feminist criticism, but it shouldn't be ignored either. The fact that it wasn't mentioned at all in this piece makes me wonder whether this writer is really interested in women's equality, or whether she is picking and choosing details about Obama in order to suit her agenda. I don't mean to make accusations, as I admit I am not all that familiar with this writer, but that's what I feel the tone of the piece indicates. If I am wrong about this, I apologize. But Obama has done more for women worldwide than this writer and presumably most of the commenters here, so I say we should look at this flaw in the larger context of Obama's treatment of women, which has been more positive than any other president I've ever heard of.

Chris of CA 3:53PM November 02, 2009

Thank you, Ms. Erbe.
It needed saying and how typical that a society that treats women so hideously would turn around and attack you for defending women.
The attack comments are very telling.
Again, thank you, Ms. Erbe, best thing I've read all week.

Keesha of GA 12:45PM November 02, 2009

It's shameful that you would call our beautiful First Lady Michelle Obama a "stepford wife." She has made her choice to focus on helping her husband govern the nation and raising her daughters in difficult circumstances. She has only one chance to both roles right and I admire her choice of priorities. Our nation is better off with a full-time First Lady than a multi-taking career girl in the White House. When the 8 year term is over, Michelle Obama will have her choice of fabulous careers and will express her many dimensions.
Evidence that our President loves and respects women is the way he treated his mother and grandmother. And, now the way he treats his wife, mother-in-law, Sasha, Malia, Susan Rice, Valarie Jarrett and countless others on his staff and in his Cabinet. The proof is in the pudding.
Our President is an honest, faithful leader and it is disappointing that you would demonstrate small mindedness--but, it won't work! Be a patriot and support the President. Don't be on the side of the haters.
S. Myers, Black Women for Obama for Change

Stephanie Myers of DC 12:08AM November 01, 2009