Hillary Clinton Brought Up Being a Woman, and It Did Not Go Over Well
:upscale()/2016/02/04/174/n/1922398/0d37cda831442053_GettyImages-508448770.jpg)
During Thursday night's debate, Hillary Clinton said that many people in goverment — senators, governors — have endorsed her for president, including those who've worked closely with Bernie Sanders. He answered by saying that he doesn't deny it; that he's proud his support in this election comes mostly from the American people; that Clinton has the government's backing because she's part of the establishment.
Her response? "Senator Sanders is the only one who would characterize me, a woman running to be the first president, as exemplifying the establishment. It's quite amusing to me."
The audience roared, making her comment look like a zinger. But people on Twitter didn't agree and shut her down faster than you could say "feminism." They said she played the "woman card" and that she's considered part of the goverment establishment for so many reasons other than her gender.
Hillary Clinton argues that a woman running for president is inherently anti-establishment. Isn't that anti-feminist? Woman can be whatever.
— michaelscherer (@michaelscherer) February 5, 2016
As a woman, I'm DISGUSTED Hillary would play the gender card to distract from the fact Bernie just exposed her as establishment #DemDebate
— Bernie's #1 Fan (@AGirl4Bernie) February 5, 2016
#DemDebate Hills plays the woman card. Sorry HRC - you ARE part of the establishment. Denying it makes you disingenuous.
— Tina Gerow (@TinaGerow) February 5, 2016
When #Hillary pulls the woman card she comes off like a stale Twinkie #DemDebate
— Michelle O'Gara (@Mogaraland) February 5, 2016
Sorry fam, I'm still trying to get over the fact that #Hillary said that she isn't "establishment" because she's a white woman?
— Anthony Bradley (@drantbradley) February 5, 2016
Hillary. Seriously. "I'm a woman" is no defense against you being in the establishment. #DemDebate
— Benjamin Dixon (@TheBpDShow) February 5, 2016
Sanders didn't let the issue go, saying he meant that he considers someone part of the establishment when they've raised money from drug companies, Wall Street, and Super PACs, referring to Clinton's connections to all three.
Despite the backlash, it's certainly not the last time we'll hear of her gender during this election.