The pundits are scratching their heads over why so many Americans can't stand Hillary Clinton.
Why, why, why? She's a grandmother! She rocks a pantsuit! She knows foreigh policy cold (although don't mention that L-word)! Sh's our putative first woman president! Did I tell you she's a grandmother?
So unfair. So let's look at the reasons the pundits are offering.
1.Pure misogyny. That's the lean-and-mean theory of Jack Ohman of the Sacramento Bee:
I can only ascribe this Rage Against the Clinton Machine to misogyny….
Why do these guys hate Hillary? I don’t know if it’s that she reminds them of their strict mother, their Catholic school nun, their first wife, their second wife, or their lack of any female presence in their life, but this spitting, aneurysm-inducing venom is spectacularly overblown even in an election year.
Of course, Ohman does undercut his misogyny theory a bit by admitting that there's a woman he hates as much as the Hillary-haters hate Hillary:
Sarah Palin (not because she’s a woman; because she’s a moron).
Hmm, maybe there's a "lack of any female presence" in Ohman's liberal life.
2. The "paradox" theory: Hillary is such a devoted public servant that we never get to see her more winsome side. That's the idea floated by the New York Times's David Brooks:
The second paradox is that, agree with her or not, she’s dedicated herself to public service. From advocate for children to senator, she has pursued her vocation tirelessly. It’s not the “what” that explains her unpopularity, it’s the “how” — the manner in which she has done it.
But what exactly do so many have against her?
I would begin my explanation with this question: Can you tell me what Hillary Clinton does for fun?
3. She's too good for us mere mortals. Talk to CNN's Jay Parini (writing in March) about that one:
The main reason that Republicans, in particular, hate Clinton is that she will probably beat Trump or Cruz or anyone thrown up by the GOP in the general election.
The abuse of Hillary Clinton must stop. She's not perfect. But she's smart, experienced and compassionate, and she will step into the Oval Office better prepared to take on an exacting job in difficult times than almost anyone in recent memory.