Mark Curtis Media

(Providence, Rhode Island) – When President Obama called California Attorney General Kamala Harris “the best-looking attorney general in the country” this week, I swore I was not going to write about it in this column. There were other, more important issues to talk about, I thought. Boy, was I off target. Despite North Korea’s nuclear threats and a looming immigration bill that just might pass, the water cooler (and Internet) debate is all about the President’s remarks. So let’s chat about it!

“What He Said” – I am a great believer in citing a direct quote for accuracy purposes, even though people will dissect it for all the nuances. Here it is:
"You have to be careful to, first of all, say she is brilliant and she is dedicated and she is tough, and she is exactly what you'd want in anybody who is administering the law, and making sure that everybody is getting a fair shake," Obama said, then added: "She also happens to be by far the best-looking attorney general in the country."

“The Divide” – In reading all the comments on Twitter and elsewhere, I basically would categorize reaction in three groups: “It’s Inappropriate,” "It’s Sexist,” and, “What’s the Big Deal?”

“It’s Inappropriate” – Right off the bat, the President almost admits this by prefacing his remarks with, “You have to be careful…” It’s as if he knew he’d be criticized. While there were no video cameras allowed in the fundraiser, there was a pool reporter whose job it was to take notes and share with the rest of the White House press pool. It has been noted that Harris and Obama have been friends for years, so one friend complimenting the other on appearance or attractiveness is not unusual. If she was a total stranger on a White House job interview, it would have been totally out of bounds.

“It’s Sexist” – Some took offense on gender grounds. When President Obama nominated Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense, he touted Hagel’s military experience. He did not add, “And Senator Hagel would be the most handsome Defense Secretary we’ve ever had.” The White House and Presidential defenders note that before calling Ms. Harris “the best-looking,” the President used the words "brilliant," "dedicated," "tough" and "fair" to describe Harris’ qualifications to be Attorney General of California. Still, critics say the comment on her looks is a suggestion that Harris got her job based on her beauty first, and not her qualifications.

“What’s the Big Deal?” – A lot of online comments, from both men and women, suggest that there is nothing wrong with a man complimenting a woman, especially when they have been friends for years. Of course, doing so from the podium of a political fundraiser versus one-one-one is a much different dynamic.

“The Double-Standards” – This whole debate is becoming more and more commonplace as more and more women hold office. When Michele Bachmann ran for the Republican Presidential nomination last year, I remember how many people said words to the effect of, “Wow! She looks great at 57, especially after having five kids.” Such remarks were far more common on the campaign trail than comments about the fact that she was a successful tax attorney, with a long record in various elective offices. To some, at least, her looks were more important than her accomplishments. On the other end of the spectrum, how often have you heard disparaging remarks about the looks of Janet Reno, Janet Napolitano and Condoleezza Rice? When called to public service, one hopes we will be judged more on competence and qualifications than on our appearance. As Hillary Clinton might say, “What difference does it make?”

“Women Aren’t Alone” – To couch this whole debate as something women face and men don’t, would be inaccurate, though I concede women fall victim to it far more often. When Scott Brown ran for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, there was no end of stories about him posing nude for "Cosmopolitan" while in law school (to help pay his tuition). Plenty of stories on Gerald Ford mentioned his days as a professional model. (He and Betty once appeared on the cover of Cosmo in the 1940s.) And to many, Ronald Reagan was aided on the road to the White House by his “rugged, Hollywood good looks.” There will always be those who insist John Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in 1960 because Kennedy was handsome and Nixon was not. Look, appearances make impressions on all of us. It’s human nature. I think the key is whether or not looks are the decisive factor!

“The Bottom Line” – I know Kamala Harris, as I covered her campaign for San Francisco District Attorney and part of her tenure in office. We also had lunch together at a charity event in San Francisco years ago. I was impressed. Whether you agree with her politics or not, she is a sharp, well-educated woman, who is fully qualified for every office she has held. In 2010, she defeated Republican Steve Cooley to become Attorney General of California in a very close race, with 4.4 million votes for Harris, to 4.3 million votes for Cooley. Harris ran as the sitting DA in San Francisco; Cooley, as the sitting DA in Los Angeles. In a race that contentious – with two very experienced candidates – the focus was on crime and punishment, business regulation, immigration and a whole host of issues important to Californians. It was hardly a beauty contest!

As always, I appreciate your thoughts! Click the comments button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

© 2013, MarkCurtisMedia, LLC

(Providence, Rhode Island) - Happy Easter and Passover season to all. Congress is in the middle of a two-week recess. While other political activity tends to slow down in this season, there is still plenty to talk about. Here we go!

“Eggs-actly!” – The White House will host the annual Easter Egg Roll on Monday. The event dates back to 1814, when First Lady Dolley Madison held the first. I have always been surprised that the ACLU or some atheist organization has not sued, claiming this violated the separation of church and state (which I doubt). Of course, Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny are secular symbols; but the connotation of Easter is a recognition of one of the most important days in Christian history. I am not inviting a fight; but - in this age of lawsuits over the mere suggestion of religion - I am surprised no one has complained.

“A Cross to Bear” – My Easter discussion was prompted by a court ruling this week. A Federal Judge in New York ruled that a steel beam “cross” which was found in the rubble from 9/11 can indeed be placed in the public museum that now commemorates the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. The cross was a created by the destruction of the building, but many at the scene of the disaster and recovery took comfort in its symbolism, and a priest even blessed it. Yes, people took religious solace in it, but it was just two pieces of intersected steel girders (photo above). It was not a crucifix, but the group American Atheists sued anyway. Judge Deborah Batts ruled the cross was a historic artifact and could be displayed in the public museum. For those who want to paint this as a conservative-versus-liberal issue, you might be surprised that Batts is a lesbian, African-American liberal, who was appointed by President Clinton. Common sense can come in many stripes. Anyway, appeals are sure to come.

“Here Comes da’ Judd” – Or maybe it should read “there goes” Ashley Judd. You know it’s a slow week in politics when the biggest story is about an actress who decided not to run for a Senate seat in Kentucky. Judd was thinking about running as a Democrat to face off against Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Political races involving celebrities are always amusing and usually expensive. The Kentucky media would have loved this for the notoriety and the huge advertising revenue.

“Sequester Pester” – Monday will be April 1, and the gloom and doom from the government budget sequester still has not materialized. The Pentagon announced that furloughs of civilian employees would be cut from 22 to 14 days, and the notices are supposed to go out this coming Friday, two weeks after the original date. The uncertainty has been difficult for many defense department families, but again there has been no economic blip from the $85 billion dollars in across-the-board cuts. It may still come, but thirty days into this crisis, the closure of dozens of air traffic control towers at small airports has been the only visible sign. In the meantime, Wall Street has been surging.

“Politicians – Like Cats – Have Nine Lives (Round II)” – Last week I wrote of the political comeback attempt by former Florida Governor Charlie Crist, the Republican-turned independent-turned-Democrat. We have another member of the club. Former Republican South Carolina Governor and ex-Congressman Mark Sanford is hoping to go back to Washington. Sanford famously disappeared a few years ago while supposedly hiking on the Appalachian Trail. In truth, he was in South America with his mistress, while Mrs. Sanford was back at home. This Tuesday Sanford is in a runoff election for a Congressional seat. His Republican opponent is making Sanford’s infidelity an issue; and Democrats are hoping Sanford wins the primary, as they believe a Democrat could beat him in the general election. That Democrat, Elizabeth Colbert, is the sister of political comedian Stephen Colbert. You can’t make this stuff up!

“North Goes South” – The biggest threat on planet Earth these days is not Iran or Al-Qaeda. Not to underestimate those two dangers, but right now North Korea is the big concern. North Korea now says it’s in a “state of war” with South Korea (which means it might as well be at war with the United States). While North Korea has nuclear capabilities, its efforts to launch rockets have been laughable so far. But crazed leader Kim Jong Un is just wacky enough to find another way to deliver his weapons. He and his father starved thousands of their own people, so they’ll stop at nothing. The free world needs to keep a closer eye on this.

As always, I welcome your input. Just click the comments button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com. Happy Easter!!!