The Debate on Sexism

I watched it. OK I know that’s not what the debate was titled, but it seems to be what much of it was about.

Much has been made of Donald Trump’s forays into misogyny and there is plenty of evidence in the second debate, his interruptions were more than Hillary Clinton’s (although they were down from the first debate), he did complain that she went “about a minute over time” when she’d been five seconds under — even when a woman is getting exactly and measurably her fair share of talk time he thinks she’s had 50% more than she deserved. Overall he spoke slightly more than Hillary in the course of the debate.

His behaviour seemed better in the second debate than the first; possibly the format helped, or perhaps the moderators were more effective or maybe Donald Trump listened to feedback.

HOWEVER.

Much is being made of this image; it’s been called “bullying”, and “creepy”, people refer to him as “standing over her”.

I have a slightly different interpretation, having watched the whole debate twice.

Hillary Clinton did something very very clever. The format of this debate was questions from the audience, so to answer a question from the audience she moved close to the questioner and addressed them directly. She even asked one a follow up question (“are you are teacher?”) amazing given the 2 minute limit. One one level this is a more human approach, bringing her closer to voters. It also brought her closer to the camera. Added bonus it meant she didn’t have to look at Trump for the two minutes she spoke.

Hillary Clinton moved into “his” space with purpose, moving comfortably from her podium across the stage. Donald Trump rarely moved from his podium by more than about a metre, and did not cross “her” side of the stage until the debate was over.

Even as commentators shout about the misogyny they are still focusing on the man, even when he’s in the background, and missing that in the foreground is a woman, and she stepped up to put herself there.