We knew this was coming, but it still shocks me when its done.
Karl Rove, in a visit to Fox News, referred to Hillary Clinton as "Old and stale". Politico
He then continued to make references that were an obvious ploy to play upon her age.
The proof is in the past as to his double standard regarding treatment of men and women on this issue.
...and pass the orange cream puff we go.
In 2008, when John McCain (who was 71 at the time) was running against Barack Obama. Concern had been expressed regarding John McCain's age. Mr. Rove's response was very much different those years ago.
HEMMER: All right. Let's shift our focus now to John McCain. Howard Dean and the DNC is circulating a rather extensive study that they have done in 17 different swing states across the country and they conclude that the age of John McCain is hurting him with some of these moderate voters. What is your take on that as they take on McCain?
ROVE: You know, look, I think this is really reprehensible on Dean's part.
Media Matters
Yes, questioning John McCain's (a male) age was "reprehensible", but Hillary Clinton, well, she's a female so its open hunting season.
Rove continued, defending his conjecture regarding Hillary Clinton's "brain damage" with the following:
...she'll be 69 by the time of the 2016 elections. She will be 77 if she serves two terms. And this ends up being an issue. I would remind you, John McCain - here's the headline from U.S. News and World Report: "McCain's age and past health problems could be an issue in the presidential campaign." This happens every presidential campaign.
Well Mr. Rove, if it was "reprehensible" back then why is it such a reasonable thing now?
Its not too hard for a woman to read the signals. The GOP views us as having an expiration date when we hit 50. While a man can serve in politics in his late 60's and 70's, run major corporations, etc., etc. and there is not a word of dissent, a woman should accept the fact that she's done and wouldn't it be nice if we would just quietly place ourselves on the shelf.
I've been perusing Republican forums and open forums and reading the responses to Mr. Rove's remarks and it is disheartening in the extreme. There is NO thought that making the most extreme derogatory remarks about a woman's age or appearance is anything but a very good time.
I don't want to hear comments regarding "Oh we don't agree with this" from GOP politicians because woman know that Rove is a dog on your leash...and you've let him go.
My hope is that Hillary runs and woman have an opportunity to show why we shouldn't be dismissed or mocked at ANY age.