There's no crying in--politics?

One of my favorite blogs, Quizlaw, got me thinking about crying with this post: That’s It — We’re Done Hillary.  Apparently, Hillary teared up again on the campaign trail. And that act cost her a vote, as Dustin explains in his post:

Goddamnit, Hillary. The weepy gimmickry will work once, but twice? That’s just sad. It’s akin to Bush raising the terror alert every goddamn time an election was imminent. It’s pathetic. Is this what you’re going to do in the White House every time your poll numbers drop? Cry? You just lost a vote, Hillary.

I bet a lot of people out there feel the same way.  But, is it rationale?  I'm not so sure that it is.

Guys cry all the time--big guys, macho guys, important guys, manly men--and they get away with it.  Prime example, Plaxico Burress cried like a baby during the post-game interview last night.  I turned to my husband and he immediately jumped to his defense--it's the pinnacle of his career, it's everything he's ever worked for, he's tired.  And, no joke, my 6'2" husband had tears in his eyes.

Over a football game!  C'mon guys. 

Here are more guys crying:  here (big manly football player Terrell Owens), here (soccer players), and here (Mitt Romney, Bill Clinton).

And speaking of men crying, head on over to your local Mormon church on any given Sunday (get the cute football reference?).  My husband's family is Mormon, and I've never seen to many grown men cry as I have during Sunday services. 

So, I ask you.  What gives?  Why can't Hillary tear up?  Why does it cost her votes?

Like Plaxico, she was most assuredly dead tired.  Like Terrell, she was most definitely disappointed with her showing in recent polls.  And, this is everything she's ever worked for.  You bet she's emotional.

I dare you  political pundits out there.  Call Terrell and Plaxico crybabies--to their faces.  Double dare smack down!

Oh, and I should add that I'm leaning toward Obama right now, primarily because of his vote on Iraq. 

Comments

[Dustin]

I'll just say this: It's not that women (or men) can't cry in general, it's that in Hillary Clinton's 30 year public life, she's never cried before. Not once, to my recollection, dating back to her Arkansas days. And suddenly, after 30 years, she grows tear ducts the day before the two biggest elections of her life? It's calculated. And that saddens me.

[NBlack]

Point taken.

But, as devil's advocate I'd suggest that maybe this particular run is more emotional than others have been--and more stressful.

Her first cry didn't go over so well, so why cry again if it was a calculated effort?

But, you may be right.