It's been a while since I've put a TDD poll out to the audience, but this most recent exchange between Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) and his congressional colleague Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) begs for feedback. The two of them were being interviewed on 1210 AM's Dom Giordano Show in Philadelphia Wednesday morning. During the course of the interview, Sen. Specter got more than a bit testy to the point of telling Rep. Bachmann twice to "act like a lady."
Real Clear Politics has the audio of that portion of the radio show.
Now, here's the TDD question, "What did you think of this exchange between Specter and Bachmann?" Were his remarks out of line? Did she deserve reprimand? What's your take?
Because this exchange comes in a specifically political context, the tendency may be to allow our political beliefs to influence our assessment. Regardless of your political persuasions, I'd like to hear from any of you (especially the females in our readership) as to what you thought of this specific exchange. (In a follow-up interview, Bachmann said she believes this will be the end of Specter in Pennsylvania. What do you think?) 
UPDATE: Sean Hannity sought a comment from Arlen Specter's office, but got no response. Here is Hannity's interview with Rep. Bachmann about the exchange.
What the heck does, "Act like a lady mean?" Sorry, but that kind of old-school attitude needs to go. That DOES NOT rub me the right way!
Posted by: Jean | January 22, 2010 at 11:58 AM
There was much wrong with this interview on both sides. However, very typical of Washington's lack of respect for each other from interrupting to condescending attitudes. The phrase "act like a lady" was manipulative and condescending which is disrespectful. The lack of respectfully waiting for each other to make a comment also created the typical "Washington atmosphere" I am very disturbed by the attitudes of both parties in general. The media of course doesn't help. Obama's desire to bring us back to a respectful governament has proven complicated. It is a big ship and very difficult to turn. As much as Christian republicans disapprove of some of Obama's liberal policies, I wish they would get behind his desire to come back to respectfully treating each other even when our political and religious views differ.
Posted by: Marti | January 22, 2010 at 04:36 PM
I fail to see the problem here. If he had said "I'll treat you like a gentleman, so act like one" there would be no problem. It was certainly condescending, but I found nothing that pointed to it being for sexist reasons, but rather political or social reasons. Standard politics since the beginning of time. Non-story.
Posted by: Resident Atheist | January 22, 2010 at 11:33 PM