Election reveals that sexism more acceptable than racism

It's been debated for more than a century. But when this historical presidential campaign comes to a close this week, will we know the answer to the following question with any degree of certainty: which more fervently permeates the fabric of American society, racism or sexism?

I think we will, and I think the answer will be sexism. The 2008 campaign has demonstrated it is more politically correct to be sexist than racist. American culture tolerates sexism to a degree it would never tolerate racism.

Clearly women have made tremendous strides in this presidential race. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., became the first woman ever to win a state primary, going on to win 19 states. Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, became the first female vice presidential running mate on the GOP ticket. No matter what you think of either woman, and most of us have strong feelings one way or the other about each of them, they're both trailblazers, although in markedly different ways. Each has helped to bring the fantasy of a female president closer to reality.

Complaints about sexism or racism in the media and in public perceptions of the candidates by their various and sundry campaigns have been widespread this political season. Sen. Clinton endured volumes of insults from mainstream media commentators comparing her, for example, to a "she-goat."

One Fox News commentator whined that every time Sen. Clinton opened her mouth, all any man could think of was his wife telling him to take out the garbage. Talk show demon Rush Limbaugh made derogatory comments about Clinton, posing the question whether the nation wanted to watch her age in the White House (as if it's been fun watching him age, hardly an Adonis is Limbaugh).

Sen. Barack Obama's recently been the target of disgusting video pranks showing him at the center of a food stamp surrounded by watermelon and fried chicken. A dead bear cub appeared at a prominent spot at Western Carolina University's campus, festooned with a pair of Obama campaign signs. Obama's campaign has juiced up the skinheads and racists in unthinkable ways. Clearly he's been attacked on the basis of his race.

Even Gov. Palin, who draws much more support, according to polls, from Republican men than GOP women, has been treated unfairly in the media, although not nearly to the extent Sen. Clinton had to endure. Reuters recently photographed the governor from behind and between her legs, making it appear as though a young male supporter in the front row was peering up her dress. Have we seen Sen. John McCain thusly portrayed? Not quite.