Although this op-ed raises legitimate issues about both gender and race, I am not sure if they apply in this specific case. Reuters reports 1.08.09 that voters are not turning their backs on Hillary Clinton because of doubts about a woman in the White House but rather turning on to the optimistic message of her rival Barack Obama. I've never talked to a Democrat who said they would not vote for a qualified woman. I believe that Iowa voters -- including women -- and American being polled now are simply saying they prefer Sen Obama to Sen Clinton -- not that they prefer black men over women.

I had hoped Ifill, who's in broadcasting, would address the fact that broadcasters who air Imus run afoul of their role of "public trustee" of the airwaves.