Belinda Stronach

Characterization in the media

Political scientist Linda Trimble of the University of Alberta has studied the media's treatment of Belinda Stronach and describes some of the reaction to Stronach's defection to the Liberals as "offensive and sexist." Trimble was referring, in particular, to the comments of two provincial legislature members Ontario Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament Bob Runciman and Alberta PC Tony Abbott. http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/18/stronach-sexism050518.html

Related Topics:
University of Alberta - Ontario Progressive Conservative - Member of Provincial Parliament - Bob Runciman - Alberta - PC - Tony Abbott

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Runciman made himself the target of Liberals and media alike when he told CFRB, a Toronto radio station, that, "She sort of defined herself as something of a dipstick, an attractive one, but still a dipstick." http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1116347413338_5/?hub=TopStories He elaborated that, in his opinion, Stronach failed to adequately express her reasons for defecting from the Conservative Party. Abbott made even more disparaging remarks, saying Stronach had "whored herself out for power." http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/18/stronach-sexism050518.html He apologized for the statement the next dayhttp://www.canada.com/news/national/story.html?id=7e0aaf86-9a53-4878-a9cc-bf8a53ed9d0a, saying that the term "whoring" had been misunderstood from context, and noting that it could be equally used for men and women. (CBC news, The National, May 18 broadcast.)

Related Topics:
CFRB - The National

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Criticism of the reaction to Stronach's move was not limited to politicians. Women's groups charged that the media also unfairly characterized the transition. The National Post used the front page headline "Blonde Bombshell", and political cartoonists made reference to Stronach prostituting herself to the Liberal party.

Related Topics:
National Post - Political cartoon

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Trimble's view is that the comments are examples of the "political lows" that started with Stronach's bid for the leadership of the Conservative party in early 2004. According to Trimble: "The overall suggestion was that she was this bikini-clad blonde fronting for these backroom boys seeking power... The candidate's aspirations were often ridiculed, her qualifications trivialized, and her youth and looks the subject of vulgar and excessive obsession."

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On May 18, 2005, a group of female Liberal MPs also charged that Stronach was the target of ?overt sexism? over her decision to cross the floor in the House of Commons. Members of the Liberal women's caucus accused Harper and Conservative MPs of ?unacceptable and disrespectful? comments following Stronach's move and called for an apology. Liberal MP Judy Sgro said: ?I think it's important that we try to raise the level of discourse and debate and they shouldn't be reduced to the kinds of throw away comments that people are clearly using last night and this morning. So I would call on Mr. Harper to apologize to Ms. Stronach and to women of Canada and ask his colleagues to very much do the same so that we can try and restore some level of respect and discussion here in Ottawa.? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050518.wstronach0518/BNStory/Front

Related Topics:
May 18 - 2005 - Judy Sgro

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