Article Talking About Sexism: Meta-Sexist Talk in Presidential Politics

This article investigates “meta-sexist ” talk in U.S. media discussions regarding Hillary Rodham Clinton’s failed bid for the U.S. Democratic nomination in 2007-2008. More specifically, it describes how specific accusations/claims of “sexist ” treatment of Clinton were introduced, debated, and ultimately evaluated during significant moments in the course of her campaign. Drawing on a collection of 24 televised interactions in which “sexism ” was explicitly topicalized in relation to Clinton’s campaign, the analysis describes how interviewers respond to participants ’ claims of “sexist ” treatment of Clinton within two periods in the nominating process—when Clinton was reported by mainstream media as the undisputed front-runner, and when she was reported as losing. In illustrating the general features of the interviewers ’ responsive behavior characteristic of each period, the analysis reveals some of the ways in which the legitimacy of “sexist ” claims may be undermined by mainstream media. Keyword