Palin Strikingly Attractive – This Is Journalism?

Ron Elving in “Palin Proves Worthy of Her (Current) Role” posted at NPR. evaluates Palin’s debate performance and declares her worthy of her current role as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate.  He describes Biden as “a man in his mid-60s” and Palin as “clearly two decades younger and, it must be said, strikingly attractive for a governor of any state.”

If you equate age with experience, I suppose a comparison of the candidates’ age is a fair criteria to consider.  This can be achieved by simply noting that Palin is in her mid 40s or that Palin is two decades younger than Biden.  However, Elving’s sexist comment, doesn’t merely state the age difference between the candidates, he goes on to offer his irrelevant appraisal of her physical appearance. 

The adverb “clearly” immediately raises my feminist hackles, as it suggests that Palin appears more youthful than Biden.  Why does Elvin feel it must be said that Palin is strikingly attractive?  And why must his assessment of her looks then be qualified by “for a governor of any state.”? 

Sexist commentary on the physical appearance of female politicians have no place in journalism.  Can Elving support his appraisal of Palin?  Has he rated the attractiveness of all 50 United States governors?  Or was he only comparing the appearance of female governors? 

Reporting that includes inappropriate observations about the attractiveness of candidates, threatens to turn political campaigns involving female candidates into beauty contests.  We must remain vigilant to sexist language in political reporting, and we must protest every infraction.

Contact NPR here.