The Politics of Weight

Megan McCain might be my hero.

Apparently Laura Ingraham criticized her for implying that Republicans should compromise with Democrats. Ingraham, according to CNN, called McCain “a Valley Girl gone awry” and a “plus-sized model.”

So, McCain, who has portrayed a campaign from a unique perspective, and become a – what I would consider – respected blogger, apparently is considered too fat to write? Megan retaliated saying:

“Why, after all this time and all the progress feminists have made, is weight still such an issue? And in Laura’s case, why in the world would a woman raise it?” [The Daily Beast]

I admit, I’ve never listened to Laura Ingraham, I generally steer away from radio talk shows, I’ve had the misfortune of listening to Rush Limbaugh once or twice if only to see what the hype was. But still, what kind of impression is that for young girls who want to speak their mind? What kind of impression does that give them that, if they don’t write something that everyone agrees with, their opinion is worth jack? That’s kind of crappy Laura Ingraham. Very crappy. As women, shouldn’t we, as Megan says, be a better example for the younger gals of our time and criticize substantively rather than about petty matters such as one’s dress size?

Unfortunately for women, this is nothing new. This story, as Megan writes in her blog, wouldn’t have been a big deal had the media not picked up on the tiff from Laura Ingraham’s radio show. But the media has been criticizing women and their weight for years. Megan mentions her own mother was criticized during the 2008 presidential race for being too thin. Hillary Clinton has been criticized for wearing pant suits, and Michelle Obama showing off bare arms has recently raised eye brows as well. Rather than be criticized for these traits they should be commended for the inspiration they have given so many young women. Ingraham later said that McCain needed to lighten up, and learn to take criticism lightly. She may be right but, there was no reason for weight to be brought anywhere into the debate.

So, here’s my kudos to Megan McCain. Who cares what bitter jerks like Laura Ingraham think, a gal has every right to voice her opinion. There will always be naysayers, but hopefully they can focus on the ideological and substantive arguments at hand and leave one’s weight/body out of the nation’s politics.

Related Articles

Kiss My Fat Ass: I am Spartacus Megan McCain [Jezebel]
The Politics of Size [The Daily Beast]
Megan McCain: “Kiss My Fat Ass” [Politico]