Quick Campaign Rhetoric Roundup

Hillary Clinton is not an exception: a recent book demonstrates how the 'groundbreaking' rhetoric of Clinton's campaign reinforces stereotypes that relegate women to the private sphere and make it harder for women to be elected.

A New York Times op-ed page back and forth about the politics of gender in the campaign. I tend to think that Steinem has the better point concerning how the coverage of Hillary shapes gender politics in general - and I'm a little tired of the 'call for debate' seen in Herbert's column.

Fear of Death and Elections - reminders of mortality create reactionary tendencies in voters, encouraging identification with the nation-state and traditional family values (whatever those are). Giuliani could still win if he does a better job of looking the part of a 9/11 hero- however, the better iconography goes to the firefighters who rightfully oppose his candidacy, which could spell doom for an already faltering campaign.