Meghan McCain responds to Laura Ingraham’s “plus-size” remarks

16th March 2009

Meghan McCain responds to Laura Ingraham’s “plus-size” remarks

posted in Fat Bias, Feminist Topics, Politics |

Megan McCain has responded to conservative pundit Laura Ingraham’s snide remarks about her body via this Daily Beast article. I think her reply is great, so I’ll quote liberally.

Instead of intellectually debating our ideological differences about the future of the Republican Party, Ingraham resorted to making fun of my age and weight, in the fashion of the mean girls in high school.

I have been teased about my weight and body figure since I was in middle school, and I decided a very long time ago to embrace what God gave me and live my life positively, attempting to set an example for other girls who may suffer from body image issues. I have nothing to hide: I am a size 8 and fluctuated up to a size 10 during the campaign. It’s ridiculous even to have this conversation because I am not overweight in the least and have a natural body weight.

But even if I were overweight, it would be ridiculous. I expected substantive criticism from conservative pundits for my views, particularly my recent criticism of Ann Coulter. That is the nature of political discourse, and my intent was to generate discussion about the current problems facing the Republican Party. Unfortunately, even though Ingraham is more than 20 years older than I and has been a political pundit for longer, almost, than I have been alive, she responded in a form that was embarrassing to herself and to any woman listening to her radio program who was not a size 0.

In today’s society this is, unfortunately, predictable. Everyone from Jessica Simpson to Tyra Banks, Oprah Winfrey, and Hillary Clinton has fallen victim to this type of image-oriented bullying… My weight was consistently criticized throughout the campaign. Once someone even suggested I go to a plastic surgeon for liposuction. Afterward, I blogged about loving my body and suggested critics focus their insecurities about women’s bodies elsewhere. On the other side, my mother was constantly slammed for being too skinny, so the weight obsession of the media and our culture goes both ways. It also goes to both parties. Hillary Clinton has consistently received criticism for her pantsuits and figure. Whatever someone’s party, these criticisms are quite obviously both wrong and distracting from the larger issues at play.

The question remains: Why, after all this time and all the progress feminists have made, is weight still such an issue? And in Laura’s case, why in the world would a woman raise it? Today, taking shots at a woman’s weight has become one of the last frontiers in socially accepted prejudice.

At this point, I have more respect for Ann Coulter than I do for Laura Ingraham because at least Coulter didn’t come back at me with heartless, substance-less attacks about my weight. All I can do is try to be a positive role model for women of my generation and, I hope, help show that no matter what industry you are in, what size you are has nothing to do with your worth.

I absolutely agree with all of Meghan’s points except her insistence that by reporting Ingraham’s comments, media outlets were “out of line.” If not for the media’s coverage of them, we would not be able to have discussions such as this, which as Meghan aptly demonstrates, are sadly still very much needed.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pm and is filed under Fat Bias, Feminist Topics, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

1 On March 16th, 2009, mccn said:

Good for you, Meghan! I disagree with her political views, but I share her frustration at the lack of intelligent and respectful discourse from both sides. This was very well said!

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

2 On March 16th, 2009, Godless Heathen said:

“Why, after all this time and all the progress feminists have made, is weight still such an issue?”

Because if they can shame us for our bodies, they can shame us for our very existence and keep us focused on THAT instead of a search for real power and equality.

She’s so close, one day she will realize her beloved party hates anything and everything to do with women and drop it like a stone.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

3 On March 16th, 2009, Rhondaroo said:

What mccn said. Someone’s weight, size, or body-shape has nothing to do with nothing.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

4 On March 16th, 2009, BigLiberty said:

^I disagree with the GOP “hating” women, but on all else I agree. I think Meghan’s points are wonderfully put, and I find her a very positive voice in a movement that has lost its footing over the past twenty years. A return to positivity, to creativity, and to the essence of the American dream – not to schoolyard games of sniper politics, which is unfortunately embraced by many on both sides of the aisle – is sorely needed.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

5 On March 16th, 2009, Rachel said:

Godless Heathen — I think Naomi Wolf put it best for me:

“A culture fixated on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty.” It is “an obsession about female obedience. Dieting is the most potent political sedative in women’s history; a quietly mad population is a tractable one.”

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

6 On March 16th, 2009, Shannon said:

Cool! I love what she has to say She’s right in that even if she was fat, it should not be an issue (Go Meghan!). But still, size 10 is getting mocked? Wow.

I’m not a Republican so I don’t really get a vote in this but I wish women like her would be the face of the Republican party instead of the Ann Coulters and Rush Limbaughs out there.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

7 On March 16th, 2009, Jen said:

Wow, that was amazingly articulate and spot on!

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 3:47 pm

8 On March 16th, 2009, Meryt Bast said:

Has anyone else seen Ingraham’s response? She does exactly what every bully says when called on her cruelty: she blames her target.

“Ingraham quickly responded to McCain once again on her show, telling McCain that she needs to learn to deal with satire and ‘teasing.’
‘Can I say “lighten up,” or is that offensive too?’ Ingraham asked.”

(from the ticker at CNN.)

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

9 On March 16th, 2009, Rachel said:

Someone give Laura Ingraham a big tall glass of shut up, please.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

10 On March 16th, 2009, goodbyemyboy said:

“Ingraham quickly responded to McCain once again on her show, telling McCain that she needs to learn to deal with satire and ‘teasing.’
‘Can I say “lighten up,” or is that offensive too?’ Ingraham asked.”

Wow, that’s extra special. Love how it still has absolutely nothing to do with the points that were raised. It’s like watching a real-life troll.

Lovely response by McCain, though.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

11 On March 16th, 2009, Valerie said:

Godless Heathen you said exactly what I was thinking. I also spent years thinking that there was a place for women, LGBT individuals, and black people in the Republican party. I was a dyed in the wool republican and came from a decent lineage of republicans.

Then one day I got a flyer from a Ann Northrup here in Kentucky saying that the homosexual agenda was trying to destroy the family. And I thought ‘hmm you know Ann, there are a lot of people out there that would say uppity women like you are trying to destroy the family’

The next day, I was at the DMV changing my registration to Dem. Dems aren’t perfect but at least I don’t have to watch women lie to themselves and denigrate other demographics as if they aren’t also in the crosshairs of the very people they suppport.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

12 On March 16th, 2009, Rachel said:

Hey Valerie, what part of Kentucky are you in? I’m in Cincinnati.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 6:48 pm

13 On March 16th, 2009, Twistie said:

I think in this entire exchange Meghan McCain has comported herself with dignity, with consideration, and with a willingness to discuss the actual issues. Would that Laura Ingraham would do the same.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 6:54 pm

14 On March 16th, 2009, Tracey said:

This was a great stand MM took today, and I’m happy she didn’t shy away from making the it– bravo! I agree Rachel.. think Ms Ingraham could us a double tall glass. :9

*t

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

15 On March 16th, 2009, Valerie said:

I’m in Lex-Vegas.

posted on March 16th, 2009 at 7:55 pm

16 On March 17th, 2009, spacedcowgirl said:

Wow! Meghan McCain is one smart young woman. In the face of that kind of unending media pressure, you usually don’t hear many sound bites in response beyond “I’m not fat,” which as we know isn’t the point. (Note I’m NOT blaming the young women who try to fight back against body shaming… how difficult must it be to not internalize those messages when the attacks are so relentless?) In any case, McCain’s analysis is dead-on and I love that she mentioned women from the other side of the aisle to show that political bent has nothing to do with this pervasive issue.

posted on March 17th, 2009 at 10:51 am