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This was Bill Clinton’s idea of defending his spouse:
"I can't make her younger, taller, or change her gender. I can't do anything other than to tell you who she is."
I find it eerily similar to Elizabeth Edwards’ comment last August
"We can't make John black, we can't make him a woman," said Edwards, referring to Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton during an interview with Ziff Davis Media about the Internet's role in the 2008 presidential election. "Those things get you a certain amount of fundraising dollars."I thought it was beneath her when Elizabeth Edwards said it, and I was similarly turned off when Bill used the same tactic.
First, as I believe Rachel Maddow pointed out when Edwards said it, it makes the rather un-Democratic claim that all of the attention certain candidates are getting are merely attributable to things out of their control: their race, sex, or age.
Second, it’s a very weak argument, and one that gives your own candidate little credit. Are John Edwards and Hillary Clinton, in turn, helpless in the face of identity politics? If so, neither is qualified to be president.
Finally, it insults the intelligence of the American people. If they’re flocking to Obama, it’s not because he’s male, or young, It’s because his message is resonating with them.
