Would A Man Tell Another Man to "Calm Down" During An Interview?

Maybe, but I doubt that it would happen quite like this.

The following is a brief clip of MSNBC's afternoon news anchor, Tamron Hall interviewing Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele






Yes, Ms. Hall made the tragic mistake about which every woman in business and politics has been warned. She showed a little too emotion. And as a result, as Tamron stated at the end of interview, she was told to "calm down like she was a five year old". But come on, Can you imagine Michael Steele telling Ms. Hall's colleague, Ed Schultz, not one to hold back his emotions, to "calm down"? Or, imagine Eric Cantor making the same patronizing hand gestures to Lawrence O'Donnell when he was being pressed for an answer to the same question, the night before?

John Boehner can cry after a big election win and it's interpreted as an honest display of emotion. Hillary Clinton chokes back tears during the heat of a tough fought political campaign and some interpreted her honest display of emotion as an attempt to manipulate the voters. It's a ridiculous double standard. However, when women show "too much emotion" or argue a point too passionately it is,more often than not, misunderstood..

Of course Micheal Steele is probably taking lessons on how to handle questions from strong women in media from Dick Armey. Remember when Mr. Armey said to Salon's Joan Walsh, "I am so damn glad that you could never be my wife, 'cause I surely wouldn't have to listen to that prattle from you every day"? Are you kidding?

Maybe the mama grizzlies will give their conservative colleagues a few lessons on how to have a civil, adult, political debate with strong intelligent women without resorting to patronizing, demeaning ......

Oh, who I am kidding?