Jon Huntsman presents himself as a gentleman. After calling the Herman Cain harassment allegations “bimbo eruptions,” he looks more like a frat boy.
Jon Huntsman stands apart from the other Republican presidential candidates. He’s comparatively moderate on gay rights (he supports civil unions), evolution (he believes in it) and immigration (a border fence would be an American “embarrassment.”)
And Huntsman, the former China ambassador and Utah governor, has the foreign policy and executive chops few of the other White House hopefuls possess. When standing on debate stages, the polished and handsome Huntsman comes off as a gentleman playing a frat boy’s game. But the typically genteel politico veered into the dark side while discussing the Herman Cain affair allegations.
“We’ve got real issues to talk about not the latest bimbo eruption,” Huntsman told the Boston Herald editorial between New Hampshire campaign stops yesterday.
Buh? “Bimbo eruption?” That’s almost as misogynistic as Cain calling harassment accuser Sharon Bialek “troubled” or self-proclaimed mistress Ginger White “desperate”
Casually labeling these and three other women “bimbos” perpetuates the idea that all women are over-sexed maniacs who either asked for it or deserved it. They become prowling minxes whose word can’t be trusted.
It’s disappointing to hear a candidate such as Huntsman — typically so respectful and respectable — drop down to the lowest common denominator on this one. And it’s surprising for a candidate whose three daughters are his most recognizable surrogates to be so flippant. If one of his girls were sexually harassed, would Huntsman call her a “bimbo?”
While Huntsman has the right idea about the litany of Cain scandals — there are bigger problems in the world — his breezy disregard for White, Bialek and the three other women suggests he’s more of a frat boy than he lets on.
Update: One of our Facebook friends pointed out that the term “bimbo eruptions” comes from Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign adviser Betsey Wright, who used the term to deflect accusations the then-candidate had affairs. Sure, a woman may have coined it, but it’s still pretty degrading.
Image via Gage Skidmore’s Flickr.
November 30, 2011 at 9:45 am, Kim said:
Um, the author apparently did not recognize the term “bimbo eruption” from Clinton’s campaign in 1992. Huntsman’s statement was classless, but it would be nice if the author of the article added something about the reference to Clinton’s campaign once he researches it.
November 30, 2011 at 12:55 pm, Anonymous said:
I think it’s in Santorum’s interest to further fuel media stories about character, which is what his comment achieved. People will be writing about his use of the term “bimbo eruption,” tying it to Clinton’s campaign and tainting Herman Cain (and possibly Newt Gingrich) with the same “adulterer” title that Bill Clinton currently owns.
More disturbing, I think, is the fact that Santorum seemingly lumps the sexual harassment accusations with the affair accusation. He may take a dim view of a woman who would sleep with a married man, but must he call the alleged victims of sexual harassment “bimbos?” His lack of sensitivity to women who may have been sexually harassed is more than disturbing.
November 30, 2011 at 10:03 am, Ron said:
Betsey Ross Wright (b. July 4, 1943[1]) is an American lobbyist, activist, and political consultant who worked more than a decade for Bill Clinton in Arkansas.[2][3][4] She served as chief of staff to Governor Clinton for seven years. As deputy chair of the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign, Wright established the rapid response system that was responsible for defending Clinton’s record in Arkansas and promptly answering all personal attacks on the candidate.[5] During the 1992 campaign, Wright coined the term “bimbo eruptions” to describe rumors alleging extramarital affairs by Clinton.[3] In the 1990s, Wright was an executive for The Wexler Group, a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C.[2]She currently resides in Rogers, Arkansas.[1][3]
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsey_Wright
November 30, 2011 at 8:14 pm, Carinapup said:
Who cares who came up with the term? Whats important here is that Huntsman KNEW what it meant and he STILL used it. He should hang his head in shame. But he is likely too arrogant to do so. I was so mad upon reading his “bimbo eruption” quote that I called his campaign and left a message (no live person was available) and I left him an email at his site. He is not fit to be president. Just another jackass who thinks he is superior to others, especially women, it appears.
December 01, 2011 at 11:32 pm, Kcrivers82 said:
You missed the point. Huntsman, and the rest of the US population, are sick of people like you who continue to be obsessed with these allegations. We the people want to read about real campaign issues like healthcare, immigration, foreign policy, and the economy.
December 05, 2011 at 11:12 pm, Anonymous said:
Will the circus ever leave town? Whern will a true REPUBLICAN AMERICAN step forward! It’s a one party race if we can’t find another RONALD REAGAN. GOD HELP THER U.S.A.!