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Clinton says criticism of temper is sexism

BY GLENN THRUSH | NEWSDAY WASHINGTON BUREAU; This story was supplemented with wire reports.

March 7, 2006

WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton suggested yesterday that her Republican enemies have targeted her simply because of her gender, hinting that Republican National Committee chairman Ken Mehlman's recent claim that she was too "angry" to be elected president was political sexism.

"When you run as a Democrat and, in particular, when you run as a Democratic woman, whether you're running at the local, state or national level, it's likely you're going to draw some unfriendly fire," Clinton told black and Hispanic women at a Manhattan campaign event yesterday morning.

"People will be attacking you instead of your ideas, they may impugn your patriotism, they may even say you're angry," she said.

Clinton went on to say Mehlman's recent comments about the former first lady's temper were a "badge of honor," adding, "There are lots of things that we should be angry and outraged about these days."

Among them, Clinton told the audience at the Sheraton New York, are GOP-related lobbying scandals and the Bush administration's handling of Hurricane Katrina.

Mehlman spokesman Aaron McLear said, "With a far-left voting record, a history of overheated rhetoric and a predisposition for political divisiveness, Senator Clinton should not be surprised by criticism of both her ideas and temperament."

Clinton, who has stepped up her criticism of President George W. Bush in recent months, has sparred with White House political guru Karl Rove and first lady Laura Bush over the past few weeks, to the delight of her supporters.

Her comments came as Kathleen Troia "K.T." McFarland, a former Pentagon official under President Ronald Reagan, said she would challenge former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer for the Republican Senate nomination.

This story was supplemented with wire reports.