ColloquyVol.12,Fall2016,pp.22-38

AnalyzingMediaCoverageofaPresidentialScandal:IsHillaryClintonHeldtoAccountforHerHusband’sImpropriety?

EmilyM.AdamsAbstractForty-SecondPresidentoftheUnitedStatesBillClintonwasimpeachedduetohisengagement in an extramarital affair and a subsequent cover-up. Inconsistentwith history, the U.S. public granted him absolution, signified by steady—evenimproved—approval ratings.Hiswife,HillaryClinton, iscurrentlydeep intohersecondcampaign for theU.S.presidency.This study involvesa feminist textualanalysis of media rhetoric as it relates to her, with the goal of answering thequestion: Do U.S. voters hold Hillary Clinton culpable for her husband’sindiscretions?

GeraldineFerrarointroducedwomentothemodernnationalpoliticalstageforexecutiveofficewhenWalterMondalechoseherashisrunningmateinadvanceofthe1984presidentialelection(Meeks175).HadMondalefaredbetterinthepolls, Ferraro’s viable candidacy would have embodied the true potential forwomen’sunadulteratedacceptanceontotheballotasequals(Meeks175).WithMondale’soverwhelmingdefeatinfavorofare-electedRonaldReagan,though,thetrailofbreadcrumbsFerraroleftasshenavigatedthroughthedensemale-dominatedpoliticalforestgrewstale. It was 24 years before U.S. voters took another woman seriously as acandidateforarunattheWhiteHouse(Meeks175).Thatyearwas2008,wheninfactbothmajorpoliticalpartieseachplacedawomanonitsticket:DemocratHillaryClinton,andRepublicanJohnMcCain’svicepresidentialpick,SarahPalin.Even two fulldecades following theMondale-Ferrarocampaign, thesewomenweresubjectedtoanonslaughtofsexismandfemalestereotypesbythemedia(Meeks175).Thismeansthattheyfellpreytothesameatthehandsofthepublic,atleastbyextension(Meeks175).InClinton’scase,shesufferedtheadditionalgloomyubiquityofherhusband’sillicitextramaritalaffairs. HillaryClintonisagaininthethroesofacampaignforexecutiveoffice.Inthispaper, Iwillexplorewhetherornotpublicperceptionprevails thattheformerNewYorkSenatorandSecretaryofStateissomehowresponsibleforherhusband

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall23

havinginfamouslyveeredsharplyoutofMonogamyLane.Iwilldosobyusingthelensoffeministcritiquetoconductatextualanalysisoftherhetoricpresentedinselectedcurrentmediapublicationsandarticlesinscholarlyjournals. Inthefirstportionofwhatfollows,IwilldiscussBillClinton’segregiouspast,define textual analysis, and explain feminist critique. I will then proceed toexaminemediaframinginanefforttounderstandgenderbiasasaneffectoftheinstitution of patriarchy. I will conclude by offering my perspective of HillaryClinton’s prevailing public perception, andher current chancesofwinning thepresidency.OvertlySurreptitiousBillClintonbecamethesecondU.S.presidentevertofaceimpeachment(Miller226),andultimatelydidsoforlyingtoCongressaboutanextramaritalliaisonwithWhiteHouseintern,MonicaLewinsky.ThescandalwasinfullswingtotherightatthehalfwaypointofClinton’ssecondterm,andwhatconcernedmanypoliticalobserverswasthattheupheavalwouldservetounderminetheremainderofthepresident’sincumbencyanddamagehislong-termcredibility(Berke).

Night and day, television hosts had plenty of show time fodder as theydiscussedtheissueatvarious,seemingly–countlessangleswhileensuringtostayatalegaldistancewithdisclaimersthatallegationsofmisconductarenotproofof it (Bronner). In reference to the scandal-of-yore that caused the NixonAdministrationtocrumble,anditsnamesaketoresigninshame,GeraldoRiverareferred to theClinton-Lewinsky scandal as “Zippergate”onhis CNBC telecast(Bronner).

Impeachment proceedingswere underfoot amere two-and-a-halfmonthspriortothemidtermelections,andthedemocratsworriedthatthepresident’sextramaritalchaoswouldflipthepoliticalstatusquoontoitsearandsendvotersand pundits into an unprecedented frenzy of confusion (Berke). Televisionproducers even provided airtime to psychologistswho gave advice to parentsregardinghowbesttoapproachthesubjectofthepresident’sindiscretionswiththeircuriouschildren(Bronner).NotonOurAggregatedWatchManyDemocratsatthetimehesitatedtoscornClintonforchoosingarecalcitrantpath. An exception was a candidate by the name of Tim McCown, who wascampaigningforaseatinMaryland’sHouseofRepresentatives.McCowncalledforthepresidenttoresign,butduetothelies,nottheextramaritalsex.Aboutthesex,McCownsaid,“That’sbetweenBillandHillary”(Berke).

24E.M.Adams

AnotherfellowDemocratexudingsharp-tongueddispleasurewasCaliforniaSenatorDianneFeinstein.EvenasaClintonally,shelethimhaveit,proclaiming,“IwaspresentintheRooseveltRoom[oftheWhiteHouse]inJanuarywhenthepresidentcategoricallydeniedanysexual involvementwithMonicaLewinsky. Ibelievedhim.Hisremarkslasteveningleavemewithadeepsenseofsadnessinthatmytrustinhiscredibilityhasbeenbadlyshattered”(Berke).

Clinton’sleft-wingallieshadcompanyintheirdiscontentandmisery,though;theRepublicansmadesuretorelentlesslyemphasizetheirdisdainforhissexualliaisons (Miller 233). The fact that the middle-aged president had allegedlygallivanted with a 21 year-old intern was marked as too much of a morally-inappropriate cross to bear. Both members of the voting public, as well aspoliticiansfromallparties,wereforcedtocallintoquestionwhetherornotthesittingpresidenthadanyhintofamoralcompass(Miller233).HeLiedAboutHavingSexualRelationswithThatWomanAtleastaspoignant,perhaps,asthepresident’spotentialtohaveengagedinOvalOffice trysts with a youngling was his active participation in a cover-up. Thescandalsetthecountrya-twitter,resuscitatinganewpeople’sactiveengagementintheU.S.politicalscene(Bronner).TheallegationssettongueswaggingacrossthecountryfromEasttoWestandthroughouttheMiddle.Thissexscandalwasaneventfortheages—anditgavehistoriansmotivationtorehashrhetoricaboutWhiteHousescandalsoferaspast(Bronner).

EvenClinton’s formerpress secretary,DeeDeeMyers,appearedonNBC’sToday to air her opinion. Myers admitted a significant amount of harm hadbefallenClinton’sreputation,regardlessofthesoundnessoftheallegationsputforth (Miller 233). She continued, “I think this is going to be something thepresidentisgoingtohaveahardtimelivingdown.Ifhe’snottellingthetruth,Ithink the consequences are just astronomical” (Miller 233). Now that I haveelucidatedtheClintonbackstory,Iwillmovetoarticulatingmymethodology.OfCoursetheDiscourseDecidestheCourseBeforeconductingatextualanalysis, it is importanttoensurethatmyreadershave clarity with regards to the associated terminology. It is a commonassumptionforspeakersofEnglishthat“text”referstolanguageinwrittenform,anditsspokencounterpartis“discourse”(AlbaJuez6).AccordingtoAlbaJuez,though,“[M]odern linguisticshas introducedanewmeaningtothewordtext,whichincludeseverytypeofutterance”(6).AccordingtoSchiffren,Tannen,and

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall25

Hamilton,expressive,orsocialcommunicationreferstotheknackforconveyingpersonalidentitiesandattitudesthroughlanguage(54). Anotherrelevanttypeoflinguisticcommunicationistextual,whichreferstomeaningsencompassedwithindiscourseinexcessofonesentence(Schiffren54).Whatthismeansisthatanydeclaration,assertion,orarticulatedidea,whetherwrittenorspoken,fallswithinthedefinitionof“text,”andtherebylendsitselftoanalysis.Forpurposesofthisstudy,theterm“rhetoric,”meanwhile,isspecifictothe ways in which people use language to create understanding, produceknowledge,andnegotiatepower(“WhatisRhetoric?”). Anadequatestartingpoint forconductinga feministcritiqueof thevariedtexts and rhetoric circumforaneous to my site—Hillary Clinton’s presidentialcandidacies—iswithperceptionsgeneratedbytelevision.Theinterpretationoftextswillhelpmedecideifthegeneralpublic,baseduponthemessagesdeliveredthrough the media, continues to blame Hillary Clinton for past indiscretionscommittedbyherhusband.Theseareindiscretionsforwhichthepopulaceseemstohavegrantedtheoffenderforgiveness.DiametricDepictionsThemainstreammediaprovidedBillClintontheopportunitytoengageinanotherloveaffairin2008.Framinghimasastaunch,noteworthysupporterofhiswife’spush toward the White House simultaneously undercut public perception ofHillaryClinton’scompetence(KhanandBlair60).Particularlypoignantwasthemedia’sportrayalofBillascool, calm,andsteady,andHillaryasan icequeen(KhanandBlair60).MembersofthemediadidovertlycalloutthemaleClintonfor sexual improprieties of decades past. Even the harshest of such criticism,though, served to fortify that Mr. Clinton’s masculinity, and masculinity ingeneral,isaqualityinherenttomatter-of-factleadership,whileatthesametimetookMrs. Clinton task for her apparent inability tomanageher ownhusband(KhanandBlair63). Whatthemediacreatedduringthistimewasanarrativethatahusbandwitha reputation for strayingwasanembarrassmentwaiting tohappen shouldhiswife win the White House (Khan and Blair 63). The portrayal of Bill Clinton,meanwhile,wasthathewasaphoenixwhohadrisenfromtheashesofthefirecausedbyaninextinguishableyethumansexualappetite,andHillaryClintonwasstilltryingtocrawloutoftherubble(KhanandBlair63).

26E.M.Adams

TheClothingMayMaketheMan,ButItBreakstheWomanInordertoenableanappreciationforthescrutinyoverinconsequentialmattersaffordedawomanwhoiscrackingtheultimateglassceiling,Mandziukexaminedmedia rhetoric of Hillary Clinton’s prior campaigns under the lens of JudithButler’s theory of gender as performance (313). During her run for New YorkSenator,Clinton—thenHillaryRodhamClinton(HRC)—drewagreatdealofmediaattentionduetoherwardrobechoices,specificallyherpreferenceforpantsuits(313). Butler’s theory acknowledges the power dynamic inherent to genderrelationswithintheconfinesofculture(313).Thosegenderrelationsdictatewhatconstitutes suitable behaviors and conduct for men versus women—encompassedwithinwhicharefashionchoices(313). WhenClintonwasinthemidstofher2008presidentialcampaign,Mandziuknotes,punditscontinuedtoscrutinizetheclothingshewore,opiningthatClintonchose shoulder-padded jackets as a way to appear less feminine (313). It isimportant tonote that tuckedwithinClinton’s conscientiousnesswithkeepingherfemininityatbay,asreflectedinherclothingchoices,isherdeterminationtoperforma rolemore in alignmentwithmasculinity.As a genderperformance,Clinton opting for pants over skirts meant that she was infringing upon thegeneral beliefs of what constitutes heteronormative femininity (313). AsMandziukstates,“Particularlywhenlinkedtodescriptiveterms like ‘dowdy’or‘boring’ or ‘hideous,’ HRC’s pantsuits become a vehicle for ridicule and adiscursivemeanstoruleheroutofboundsforhighoffice”(314).Keepinmind,however, that the media never chided her male counterparts for theirconscientiousness with keeping their femininity at bay by choosing to wearpantsuits.TargetingTextilesMeansMinimizingMaterialInstead of focusing their discussions on Clinton’s policy issues, the mediarelentlesslybadgeredherwith regard toherwardrobeselections.ConsistentlyassigningnegativeadjectivestowhatsheworehadthepowertotrivializeClintonasawoman,andtherebyalienateherfromvoters.Wordsmatter,andastudybyChenillustrateshow. Chen used the lens of feminist critique to analyze the term “mommyblogger.” She argued that the use of this expression marginalizes women bydefiningtheirvaluethroughonlyoneaspectoftheirlives—parenting—thatisnotevenauniversalexperience(511).Forherstudy,Chenanalyzedthenarrativeof29blogpostsand649comments.At theheartofChen’sargument is that therhetoric within the public sphere is set up in such a way that women feel

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall27

inadequacy while navigating motherhood—the quintessential womanly role—andassuchmustrelyonmenforguidance(517).1 ResultsindicatedthatthewomeninChen’sstudyfeltthatthemommypartofthetitleservedasatoolofmarginalization.AccordingtoChen,“Theynotedthatbeingcalledamommybloggermadethemthinkothers,particularlymen,wouldseethemaslesscredible,serious,professional,qualified,oreruditethanifthetermweremotherblogger(520).”Inaddition,useofthetermdiminishedwomen’s value to only a single facet of their being (521). Likewise, reducingClinton’sfreedomtodressinwhatevermannershedeemsappropriatetotermslike “dowdy,” “boring,” and “hideous” achieves a similar end. Thewords thatmembersofthemediausedtotakeClintontotaskoverherdailypreferenceforwearingpantsinsteadofskirtsechoesChen’sclaim.PantsuitsAreGreatforWorkinginRadioThewaywomeningeneralareportrayedthroughmediastemsfrompersistent,archaicnotionsofgenderroles.Televisionexecutiveshavespentyearssucklingat the bountiful ratings teat of reality shows, an outcropping of which putsheteronormative relationships on full display (Fairclough 345). Prominentexamplesof these ratingsvehicles including Joe Millionaire, The Bachelor,andWife Swap among others illustrate an overt minefield for feminist critique(Fairclough345).ShowslikeJoeMillionaireandTheBachelorcenteronaneligibleunmarriedman culling a herd of young, pretty, svelte (not tomention nearlyexclusivelyWhite-looking)womenuntilhefindsoneworthyofaffiancing. These romance-centric reality television shows have a reputation fordemonstratingapenchantforshowcasingwomenasembodimentsofoutdatednotions and beholden to stereotypical ideals (Graham-Bertolini 341). In lastdecade’s inaugural episode of Joe Millionaire, for example, the audience wasintroduced to a dapper, clean-cut, blue-collar toiler named “Joe,” whose realnamewasEvanMarriot.Marriot,while likableandhandsome,wassupposedlyplucked from obscurity, where he earned an income so meager workingconstructionthathecouldhardlyprovideevenhimselfwithnecessities(Graham-Bertolini341). Theshow’spremisewasthatMarriot,asJoe,wasstilldapperandclean-cut,but also filthy rich. Editors introduced Joe and the audience to a caravan ofwomen,alldeliveredtohimathisdoorsteponeatatimeviachariot.2OverthecourseofwhatwasassumedtobetheoneandonlyseasonofJoeMillionaire,theladiesviedforthetitlecharacter’saffections.Producersframedeachcontestantas though,despitehavingearned collegedegrees, and/or landing their dream

28E.M.Adams

careers,and/orovercomingvarioushardships,marryingJoewouldsignifytheirvastestaccomplishment(Graham-Bertolini341). Producers spent the season depicting the women as helpless, relyingcontinuouslyonJoe’sbutlerformeals,rides,andevenassistanceplanningdateswiththeirsuitor(Graham-Bertolini341).This,coupledwitheditingthatmakesitappearasthougheyecontactfromJoevalidatesthecontestants’existence,theaudienceisleadtobelievethewomenlongfortheaffectionsofthismansohecandeliverthemfromtheirimpendingmediocrity(Graham-Bertolini342). Thepopularityof spectacles like JoeMillionaire speaks toaviewingpublic(albeit primarily female) enamoredwith love stories reminiscent of fairy tales(Graham-Bertolini342).Encompassedwithinsuchaubiquitousfascinationisatleast a subconscious acknowledgement thatwomenare at their bestwhen inancillary roles (Graham-Bertolini 343). According toGraham-Bertolini, the factthatoppressedwomenmakesuchprimeviewingfaremeanssociety’snotionofthepatriarchyissodeeplyingrainedthatsexismiscommonplace,evenexpected(343).WhenClinton initiated theprocessof transcending thepatriarchy in anefforttoachievethepresidency,shetherebyshatteredsocietallimitationsplacedonwomen.It isreasonabletoassume,therefore,thatthemedia’sportrayalofherwouldhaveanintrinsicallysexistelement,asthatistheprecedent.LeavingDomesticityandEnteringtheFactoryItwasduringWorldWarIIthatwomenbegantradingtheirapronsanddressesfor jobsonassembly lines.Butasdepictedontelevision,notionsabouthowawoman should dress and behave hold steadfast, even with the turn of amillennium.AsnewscastersadmonishedClinton’swardrobechoices,theythicklyimpliedthatherparadeofpantsuitswasservingtoputaself-imposeddamperonher potential for maximum political prosperity (Mandziuk 313). The mediacollectivesaidthatthewaythatshedressedreducedherto littlemorethanafeministmouthpiece(Mandziuk313).Clinton’smoremasculinechoiceofdress,though,wasarguablylessastatementofpersonalpreferencethanarequirementofawomanwithpresidentialaspirations(Mandziuk313).Asawomancompetingforthepresidency,Clintonhadtowalkthevicarioustightropebetweenconveyingmasculinityandpreservingfemininity. AccordingtoMandziuk,Clinton’sfashionyielded“ajudgmentontheviabilityof her candidacy, character, and competency. The discursive sign of Hillary’spantsuit functionsas thekeysignifierof these” (313).Poignantwith regard tomediarhetoricaboutClinton’swardrobepreferenceisthelackofsuchrhetoricregarding any of her male counterparts (Mandziuk 313). Pantsuits were

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall29

considered both masculine and out-of-fashion, and when the media drewattention toClinton’spreference for them, the resultwasa three-tieredchainreaction. First,afocusonherchoicetowearpantshighlightedherrejectionofskirtsand dresses. Second, the implication that Clinton was a candidate for whomwearing pants was a choice served to indubitably demarcate her gender(Mandziuk313).Finally,subsumedwithintheubiquitousreminderthatClintonmadethedailychoicetodonpantsinsteadofskirtsanddresseswasthatClintonwasawoman, so it simultaneouslyminimized thesoundnessofhercandidacy(Mandziuk313).SpotlightingClinton’sattireplacedherinalosingsituation.Shewasridiculedforwearingpantsuits,butshewouldhavealsobeentakentotaskhadshechosenmorefeminineformsofdress,duetothesexistassumptionsthatpositionsofpowerbelongtomen.TheSexScandalInfiltratesHollywoodBeforepunditswerelambastingpresidential-hopefulHillaryClinton’swardrobe,moviemakersweretreatingscandal-ladenBillClintonlikeacashcow.Marchof1998 saw the release of a full-length comedic-dramatic motion picture calledPrimaryColors(Handy). ItstarredJohnTravolta,whosecharactermustfaceanonslaughtofunwantedattentionregardinghisphilanderingwaysashemakesabidforgovernor(Handy).Thecharacter,JackStanton,“portrayedascharismaticandgood-hearted…evennoble,”isclearlywrittentomirroraClintonofthetime(Handy). Inadvanceof the releaseofPrimary Colors, polls indicated thatmostU.S.AmericanswerewillingtoforgiveandforgetanyofClinton’smaritalmisgivings,particularlyifhehadcommittedthembackinhishomestateofArkansas(beforeentering theWhiteHouse) (Handy).Clintoncommittedwhatwouldeventuallyamounttoaseriesofallegedtransgressions,whichwereunveiledpubliclyatatimewhenhabitualmale-committedadulterywasundergoingabrandrenovationas“sexaddiction”(Handy). The movie’s director, the late Mike Nichols, ensured that the release ofPrimary Colors coincided with the upheaval of the president’s impeachmentproceedings (Handy).Hedidwonder, though, ifmoviegoerswoulddiscard thepremiseandfleetheboxofficeoncethepressconferenceshaltedandthedustsettled(Handy).Truthisstrangerthanfiction,andiftherealpresidentendsupbeingheldtoaccountforhishabitualwomanizing,Nicholsopined,thennoonewouldcaretopaytoseefictionalStantondoit(Handy).

30E.M.Adams

But Nichols won the gamble; he had placed a bet on a U.S. public soenamoredbyapresidentialsexscandalthatitwoulddropafewmilliondollarstowatch a movie about it. But the rub inherent to such a gamble is the sexistassumption that moviegoers will share a belly laugh over the antics of theirphilanderer-in-chief.ForNicholstohavechosentomakePrimaryColorswithinthecomedygenremeansthathealsogambledonamoviegoingpublicwhofoundhumorinadultery.FewLaughedatthePresidentforWantingtoKeepHisJobItissafetoassumeastatesmanwhocommitsmaritalmisgivingsdoessoattheexpenseofpublictrust.Scholarlyresearchtendstofindacorrelationbetweenhighapprovalratingsandavotingpublicwhohasconfidencethatitscommander-in-chief is facilitating peace, enabling prosperity, and modeling rectitude(Newman 783). Usually when a president becomes cloaked in scandal, hisapprovalnumbersdip(Newman783).Usingthemostinfamouspriorpresidentialscandalofmoderntimesto illustratehispoint,NewmanmentionsthatontheheelsofWatergate,RichardNixon’sapprovalratingfelltoadismalall-timelowof24%(783).3 Thefactis,then-PresidentBillClintonsawhisapprovalratingincreaseattheheight of the Lewinsky turmoil—the investigation and the subsequentimpeachment.Thiscouldmarkedlydemonstratethepublic’sindifferencetothescandal (Newman 782). It could also mean that the people felt that theirpresident was capable of separating his job performance from his personalintegrity:ifanyonecoulddiscernbusinessfrompleasure,itwasthePresidentofthe United States (Newman 782). It is also possible that Clinton’s escalatedapproval ratingat thetimewasaresultofhisrhetoric.AccordingtoRagsdale,presidents draw non-partisan approval gains following delivery of significantspeeches(716). Inanycase,afterClintonappearedonlivetelevisionfromtheOvalOfficetoapologizefortheindiscretionshecommittedintheOvalOffice,nearlytwo-thirds(63%)ofconstituentsbelievedthattheentiremattershouldhaveendedthere(Miller234).ThemajorityofU.S.Americansthusclaimedthattheybelievedthatthe president’s sexual escapades should have remained a matter between ahusbandandhiswife(Miller234).BetweenaHusband,HisWife,anIntern,and275,899,997StrangersDuetothenatureofthescandal,itsgrandiosityaspublicspectaclemanagedtomatch thatof the job titleof theoffender.When thepresidentof theUnited

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall31

States is exposed as a Lothario, the revelation surely trumpets headlines.However, instead of tarnishing his image, Handy asserts that Clinton’s serialwomanizingmayhaveactuallyhelpedto improvehispresidential image intheeyesofthepeople.Atthetimeprecedingthescandal,publicperceptionwasthatthe Democratic Party was one of uptight, all-business-all-the-time preppieslookingforatake-no-prisonerstypeofleader.Clinton’sphilanderingpresentedhim as a welcome enigma wrapped inside a conundrum—a man among men(Handy). Despitethemediacoveragechastisinghiswifeforherwardrobechoices,therevelationthatBillClintonwaspotentiallyaserialadulterermeantthathewasindeedtheonewithinhishouseholdwhoworetheproverbialpants!WhatthismeantforHillaryClintonisthatitremovedanydoubtsthatthevotingpublichadthatcastingitsballotforBillClintonreallymeantaproxyvoteforher(Handy).Afterall,itwasGroverCleveland,afterreportedlymakingheadlinesforhisownsexual indiscretions,whoiscreditedwithsaying,“Idon’tbelievetheAmericanpeoplewantageldingintheWhiteHouse”(Handy).Inotherwords,acheatingClinton transformedhimself intoamanperceivedbyhis constituentsasmorecapable of competent leadership due to having exercisedhis sexual freedomsoutsidetherestrictiveconfinesofmarriage.IfHillaryClintonhadanyintentionof“runningtheplace,”herhusband’sphilanderingwayssolidifiedhisroleasmanaboutthe(White)Houseinthecourtofpublicopinion.TheCupofMalePrivilegeisaBarrelDuringhertimeasthewifeofapresidentialcandidate,Clintonencounteredavotingpublicwhosentaclearmessagethatshewasnotwelcometoactasco-pilotwhileherhusbandranthecountry.Theonlywayforhertonowhavetheabilitytostandonherownmeritsasapresidentialcontenderisifthatgeneralperceptionofherhasimproved.Inthissection,IexaminewhyClintonpotentiallyendeduplosingherfirstpresidentialbidtoIllinoisSenatorBarackObama. UscinskiandGorenfound2008teemingwithopportunitytoexaminemediagenderbiasasitpertainedtotheDemocraticParty’sdashtowardapresidentialnomination(888).TheprotractednewscoveragethatwasaffordedtoClintonandObama gave these researchers a plethora of rhetoric to interpret (888). SinceClinton fulfilled the roles of First Lady and Senator from a population-densestate—bothfortwoterms—newscommentatorsshouldhavethusdepictedherasaseriouscompetitor(UscinskiandGoren888).Infact,whensheannouncedhercandidacy,sherosetothetopoftheheapastheparty’spresumednominee,

32E.M.Adams

andnumerouspoliticalinsidersspeculatedthatthepresidencywashersforthetaking(UscinskiandGoren888).Instead,itendedupbeingherstolose. The year 2008 introduced a face-off between Clinton and Obama, twocandidateswhowereanequalmatch inmanyways (UscinskiandGoren888).Theywere both junior-senator democratswho held law degrees from the IvyLeague,hadcomparablestancesonrelevantissues,sharedsimilarpollnumbersandcaucuswins,andbelongedtomarginalizedgroups,meaningthatneitherwasaWhitemale(UscinskiandGoren888).Duetoalloftheseparallelsbetweenthetwocandidates,UscinskiandGorenattributedanyinconsistenttreatmentbythemediatogender(888). At the time of the marathon leading up to the presidential nomination,Clinton had earned more delegates and votes, and triumphed in more stateelections than any female in U.S. history (Uscinski and Goren 888). Herformidabilityasacandidatewasapparentandcomprehensive;thus,UskinskiandGoren argue, any informal references newscasters made to Clinton were notattributabletoherbeingaslouch,anunknown,or“wetbehindtheears”(888).Shehad,afterall,collectednearlytwo-thousanddelegates,andbeatObamain21states.WhatUscinskiandGoren’sstudyseemstoindicateisapublicwithanimprovedopinionofHillaryClinton.LeaningintoaShake-upoftheStatusQuoEvenifHillaryClintonwerealess-alienatingfigureheadbythetimeofherinitialpresidential candidacy, she still fell short of showing a knack for broodingmachismo. Meeks explains that during Barack Obama’s first campaign forpresident in2008,he swoonedvotersbecausehis charmandeloquencewerereminiscentof thebeloved JohnF.Kennedy (178).ThecommonperceptionofObama was that he manifested a rich juxtaposition of the typical femininitynecessary forhis roleasadeeply-involved,gradeAparentwrappedup in theinherently-masculineresponsibilityoffatherhood(178).Overthecourseofherpolitical career,Clinton requiredofherself that she leave theoffice in time tomakeithometospendeveningswithherdaughter,Chelsea(Schwab).MenlikeObama have recently hopped into this political bubble bath of simultaneousfemininity and masculinity, but women like Clinton have drawn the bath, arekeeping itwarm,andpreventingaring fromformingaroundthedrain (Meeks178). WhileClintonandObamaintheirownrightmadeformidableopponentsforeachother,media’srhetoricofthecandidatesillustratedacleargenderdivide.UscinskiandGorenanalyzednewscoverageonsixnetworksforsevenmonths

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall33

beginningNovember1st,2007.Whattheseresearchersfoundwasnewscasterscalled Clinton by her first name 8% of the time, and Obama, 6%. While adifferenceof2%mayseeminsignificant, it isnoteworthythat11%ofthetimeClintonwasreferredtoonnewscastsas“Hillary”itwasbyaman,ascomparedtoonly1%byawoman(888).ItwasalsomalenewscasterswhodroppedClinton’ssenatorialtitleingreaterfrequencythandidtheirfemalecounterparts(888).ChoosingChainsorChartingChangeKhan and Blair also analyzed the media’s framing of Hillary Clinton’s 2008campaign leadinguptotheprimaryelection(57).WhattheydiscoveredwasadiscoursethatcontinuedtoreinforcegenderstereotypesthroughaninsistencethatservinginthecapacityofPresidentoftheUnitedStatesismostefficientlyaman’sjob(57). WhatservedasaddedbaggagetoClinton’seffortwasthestrongimplicationthatelectingherwouldmean,byextension,grantingherhusbandathirdtermintheWhiteHouse(KhanandBlair57).DuringBillClinton’scampaign,votersfearedthathiswifewouldbehiscollaborator;thistimetheyexpressedconcernthathewould be hers. Such a thought process is contradictory, andworks to situateHillaryClintonwithinanotherno-winscenario. Commentarysentthemessagethattheessenceofthepresidencyisataskbestfulfilledbyaman,whilesimultaneouslyproclaiminghercandidacywasdead-in-the-water because voting for her would acknowledge agreement to a co-presidency (with a man). Bill Clinton maintains a likability factor amongdemocrats. His public defense of his wife’s candidacy, coupled with hisaforementionedtwotermsaspresident,enforcedanattitudethatanypotentialshehadtoleadthecountrywassolelybecauseofthetrailheblazedforher(KhanandBlair57).BreakingThrough,BlazingAheadAsIexplicatetheobstaclesbetweenClintonandtheU.S.presidency,onewaytocomprehendtheenormityofanysteadfastsystemwithinsociety—inthiscase,gender bias—is to situate that structure within a larger context. Genderstereotypes arebynomeans exclusively a hindrance towomen in theUnitedStates. In Turkey, Demirhan and Çakır-Demirhan analyzed 636 viable tweetsunder a hashtag that translates to “a woman has to be,” when it became atrendingtopicinNovemberof2013(309).Aviabletweetforpurposesoftheirstudyisoneoforiginalcontentthatincludedeither“[awoman]hastobe”or“[awoman]mustnotbe”(309).DemirhanandÇakır-Demirhansizedupthetweets,

34E.M.Adams

whichwereallbyfemaleTwitterusers.TheycategorizedthembasedupontheirrelevancetoperpetuatingconversationreinforcingTurkishsociety’spatriarchaldominance(309). Inanefforttodiscoverhowmuchwomenaffirm,perpetuate,andadvancetheir own oppression, Demirhan and Çakır-Demirhan’s four tweet categoriesincludedhowwomenvaluedthemselvesphysically,howtheydefinedtheirroleswithin the home and within the workplace, and how importantly they ratemorality (309). Demirhan and Çakır-Demirhan found that nearly 94% of thetweetsfueledtheTurkishstatusquo,whichisthatwomenplaceimportanceonbeingpretty,adomestic forcewithwhichtobereckoned,andmodesty (309).Resultsindicated,meanwhile,thatTurkishwomenminimizetheirownvalueofreceivinganeducationandfocusingonacareeroutsidethehome(309).Onlysixpercentofthetweets,then,containedrhetoricinconsistentwiththepatriarchyand/orthestatusquo(309).ThestudybyDemirhanandÇakır-Demirhanexposesthepossibility that theconceptofa femaleU.S.Presidentcouldalienateevenfemalevoters.Hillary’sHeavyBackpackBack in the United States, Meeks’s research dissected ten full years ofmainstreammedia’scoverageoffourfemalecandidatesinparticularwhoeachrallied for votes in no fewer than two elections in the years spanning 1999through 2008; Hillary Clinton was one of the candidates (176). The historicalpresentimentthatpoliticsisoverwhelminglyaman’sgamerisesinsyncwiththerungsonthepolitical ladder(177). Inotherwords,thenumberofconstituentsservedbyapolitico,thehigherthelikelihoodthatpublicservantismale. Meeksorchestratedacontentanalysisofthetwonewspapersmostrelevanttoeachwoman’slocalefortheeightyearsencompassedwithinherstudy(181).Ifanyofthefourcandidateshadcompeted inmorethantwoelectionsduringthoseyears,shenarroweditdowntotwo,classifyingtheofficesforwhicheachwoman ran as either legislative or executive (181). Races for United StatesSenatorwerecategorizedastheformer,withthoseforgovernor,vicepresident,andpresidentallgroupedtogetherinthelatter.Meeks’srationaleforthiswasthattheofficeofsenatorrequiresthemeetingofmultiplemindswhoconveneandvotecommunal-style(181).Meanwhile,anexecutivejobissuchifonlyonepersonholdsthatparticularofficeatanyonetime(181). This discrepancy is important because Meeks argued that genderexpectationswere lessprominent forofficials in themore community-mindedlegislativepositions,but that themediawouldhighlighta chasmbetween the

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall35

menandwomenwhoranforofficeattheexecutivelevelofgovernment(181).Results indicated exactly that: these women’s respective state newspapersreported on stereotypically masculine traits three times more often thanfeminineoneswith regards to the individuals incontention for thepresidencyandvicepresidency(181).Harkeningbacktomyearlierdiscussionofthemedia-generatedfirestormoverHillaryClinton’spantsuits,awomanwhodressesinamanner perceived as feminine will encounter a more intensely-diminishedlikelihoodofemergingtriumphantinamajorelection.MonogamyLaneisMoreLikeaBoulevardEvenasanimpeachedpresident,BillClinton’sreputationandcredibilityeclipsedhisfierceimpropriety.ThatfindingcontradictsbothwhatformerPressSecretaryMyerspredictedonNBC’sToday,andhistory(Miller233;Newman783).Inthemidst of the Lewinsky scandal, Clinton’s approval rating skyrocketed tonearlythree-quarters(73%)(Miller226).Thepasttothatpointhadindicatedthatthepublicholdspolitical figures toaccount for scandals,butevenon theheelsofseveralscandals,ClintoncontinuedtocurryfavorwiththeU.S.Americanpeople(Newman782). AsnewsofClinton’sliaisonscontinueditsstrongholdontelevision,opinionpollsincreasedinthepresident’sfavorfrom31%to51%,andatthesametimehisapproval rating jumpedfrom58%all thewayto73%(Miller234).Anothernotable oddity surrounding Clinton’s post-scandal likeability is that as hisapprovalwasincreasing,Republicanssufferedablowwhentheirratingssanktoadozen-yearlowinadvanceoftheDecember1997impeachmenthearings(Miller234). ConstituentsseemtohaveissuedBillClintonclemencyforsatiatinghisturbo-chargedlibido,evenknowingthathedidsoinsidetheWhiteHouse’sOvalOffice,traditionally considered a room deserving of the utmost respect. However,throughoutthispaperIhavesoughttodetermineifthevotingpublicseemstoholdHillaryClintontoaccountforthemaritalturmoilcausedbyherhusband’scheating.Inanefforttoanswerthisquestion,Ianalyzedtextsofselectedcurrentmediapublicationsandarticlesinscholarlyjournals,anddidsointhetraditionoffeminist critique.What Idiscoveredwasamedia rhetoricwithapenchant forcastingwomenoffandintothemargins.ShowslikeWifeSwap,forexample,seeminnocuous,buteventheycatertothegrandnarrativethatawomanisdefinedbyherdomesticity (Fairclough345).According toFairclough, “Wife Swapmaybemorethancheapentertainment,itultimatelyrevealslittleaboutchangingsocialattitudes towards [sic] men and women’s roles in the domestic sphere, is

36E.M.Adams

decidedly unconcerned with how gender is negotiated, contested, andreconfiguredacrossmediaforms,andsimplyreinforcestheoutdatedstereotypethatawoman’splacereallyshouldbeinthehome”(345). Exemplars like Wife Swap reinforce the reigning societal hierarchy, whichdictatesthatheterosexualmalespossessaferventgripovercontrolofthepowerdynamic. This is a fact that by its very naturewould serve as a double-edgedswordforClinton.Attheessenceofpatriarchyliesthebeliefthatitismenwhoshouldownpowerandwieldinfluence. I had a rough time finding evidence to support aU.S. public interested inblamingMrs.ClintonforMr.Clinton’snotoriousstrayingfromhismarriage.Whilecorroborationislackingtodirectlysupportthisassertion,itseemsantithetical,ifthepeoplehavegrantedforgivenesstothesinner,toimaginewhyanyonewouldbother tobroach the topic at all in any forumconsistingofdiscoursewith,orpertainingto,HillaryClinton.Thefactthattheydosuggestsanexpectationfromher of an answer. As 2016 Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trumpasserts,perhapsitis“fairgame”touseClinton’shusband’sserialadulteryagainsther in the interest of securing political leverage (Newell). Raising the issueembodiestheintentionofprovocationandtheexpectationofresponse. WhatIdiddiscoverduringthisprocesswasanovertandunderlyingsexismbetwixt the rhetoric presented by media, which served little function beyonddeprivingClintonoffairelectioncoverageeightyearsago.Itisimportanttonotethatduring2008,sheleftthestartinggatesaheadofObama(Falk1).Forthefirstfewweeksfollowingtheirtwainofdeclarationstoseekthepresidency,thehalf-dozen apical newspapers in circulation across the United States dedicatedheadlinestoObamanearly60times,andClinton36,awhole40%lessfrequently(Falk1).Ihaveconcludedthatit ismediabiasandsexismthatcostClintonthe2008electionforcommandress-in-chief.Ibelieveshewillsufferdefeatagaininthisyear’selection—thistimetoTrump—butitwillbeforreasonsotherthanamediafocusedonherfashionchoices.Notes

1.ThepublicsphereisatermcoinedbyJürgenHabermas,referringtotheconceptualcommunalrealmthatservestoallowthepopulacetoconvergeasaunifiedwhole,exerciseitslicenseofcouncil,formationoftribe,andfindcoherenceofvoicewiththegoalofstructuringacollectivejudgment(DeLucaandPeeples128).

AAnnaallyyzziinnggMMeeddiiaaCCoovveerraaggeeooffaaPPrreessiiddeennttiiaallSSccaannddaall37

2.ItisimportanttonotethatABC’sTheBachelor,whichpremieredlater,replacedthehorse-drawncarriageswithlimousines,andmadethisCinderella-esquearrivalahallmarkoftheenduringfranchise. 3.UnlikeClinton,Nixonneverrecoveredintheopinionpolls.WorksCited

AlbaJuez,Laura.PerspectivesonDiscourseAnalysis:TheoryandPractice.NewcastleuponTyne,UK:CambridgeScholarsPublishing,2009.Print.

Berke, Richard L. "ProminentDemocrats areUnhappywith Clinton." The NewYorkTimes.Aug.19,1998.Web.

Bronner,Ethan."AWhiffofSexualScandalhasEverybodyTalking."TheNewYorkTimes.Jan.23,1988.Web.

Chen,GinaMasullo."Don'tCallMeThat:ATechno-FeministCritiqueoftheTermMommyBlogger."MassCommunication&Society16.4(2013):510-32.Print.

DeLuca, Kevin Michael, and Jennifer Peeples. "From Public Sphere to PublicScreen:Democracy,Activism,andthe"Violence"ofSeattle."CriticalStudiedinMediaCommunication19.2(2002):125-51.Print.

Demirhan, Kamil, andDerya Çakır-Demirhan. "Gender and Politics: PatriarchalDiscourse on Social Media." Public Relations Review 41.2 (2015): 308-10.Print.

Fairclough, Kirsty. "Women's Work? Wife Swap and theRealityProblem."FeministMediaStudies4.3(2004):344-7.Print.

Falk,Erika.Women forPresident:MediaBias inNineCampaigns (2ndEdition).Champaign,IL:UofIllinoisP,2010.Print.

Goldberg,Michelle."BlamingHillary:TheMedia’sGrotesqueAttempttoSmearHillary,Again,forBill’sAffairs."www.slate.com.January12,2016.Web.

Graham-Bertolini, Alison. "Joe Millionaire as Fairy Tale: A FeministCritique."FeministMediaStudies4.3(2004):341-4.Print.

Griffin, Cindy L. "The Essentialist Roots of the Public Sphere: A FeministCritique."WesternJournalofCommunication60.1(1996):21-39.Print.

Handy,Bruce."Oh,Behave!"TimeInternational(CanadaEdition)151.4(1998):69.Web.

Khan,Kherstin,andDianeM.Blair."WritingBillClinton:MediatedDiscoursesonHegemonicMasculinityandthe2008PresidentialPrimary."Women'sStudiesinCommunication36.1(2013):56-71.Print.

Mandziuk, Roseann M. "Dressing Down Hillary." Communication &Critical/CulturalStudies5.3(2008):312-6.Print.

38E.M.Adams

Meeks, Lindsey. "Is She 'ManEnough'?WomenCandidates, ExecutivePolitical

Offices,andNewsCoverage."JournalofCommunication62.1(2012):175-93.Print.

Miller,JohnJ."ArgumentEfficacy:EvaluatingthePublicArgumentofPresidentBillClinton's ImpeachmentCrisis."Argumentation&Advocacy40.4 (2004):226-45.Print.

Newell, Jim. "Of Course Bill Clinton’s Extramarital Affairs Are “Fair Game.”www.slate.com.December292015.Web.

Newman,Brian. "Bill Clinton'sApprovalRatings: TheMoreThingsChange, theMoreTheyStaytheSame."PoliticalResearchQuarterly55.4(2002):781-804.Print.

Ragsdale, Lyn. "Presidential Speechmakingand thePublicAudience: IndividualPresidents and Group Attitudes." The Journal of Politics 49.3 (1987): 704-36.Print.

Schiffrin, Deborah, Deborah Tannen, and Heidi E. Hamilton. The Handbook ofDiscourseAnalysis.Hoboken,NJ:JohnWiley&Sons,2008.Print.

Schwab,Nikki. "Blame 'Jerk'Bill forHisCheating—NotHillarySaysFormerTopAideWhoStandsByHerOldBossAbusingMonicaLewinskyasa'NarcissisticLoonyToon'."DailyMail.January262016.Web.

Uscinski,JosephE.,andLillyJ.Goren."What'sinaName?CoverageofSenatorHillary Clinton During the 2008 Democratic Primary." Political ResearchQuarterly64.4(2011):884-96.Print.

"WhatisRhetoric?"SanDiegoStateUniversityRhetoric&WritingCenter.Web.