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Commentary: Sexist treatment of Palin must end

  • Story Highlights
  • Campbell Brown says Gov. Sarah Palin should be able to face reporters freely
  • Brown: John McCain's campaign should stop treating Palin like a "delicate flower"
  • Palin is a strong, confident woman from Alaska, Brown says
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By Campbell Brown
CNN
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Editor's Note: Campbell Brown anchors CNN's "Campbell Brown: Election Center" at 8 p.m. ET Mondays-Fridays. She delivered this commentary during the "Cutting through the Bull" segment of Tuesday night's broadcast.

Campbell Brown says she's had it with what she calls Sen. John McCain campaign's chauvinism toward Sarah Palin.

Campbell Brown says she's had it with what she calls Sen. John McCain campaign's chauvinism toward Sarah Palin.

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Frankly I have had it, and I know a lot of other women out there who are with me on this. I have had enough of the sexist treatment of Sarah Palin. It has to end.

She was in New York on Tuesday meeting with world leaders at the U.N. And what did the McCain campaign do?

They tried to ban reporters from covering those meetings. And they did ban reporters from asking Gov. Palin any questions.

I call upon the McCain campaign to stop treating Sarah Palin like she is a delicate flower who will wilt at any moment.

This woman is from Alaska for crying out loud. She is strong, she is tough, she is confident. And you claim she is ready to be one heartbeat away from the presidency. If that is the case, then end this chauvinistic treatment of her now. Allow her to show her stuff. Video Watch Brown call on the McCain campaign to 'Free Sarah Palin' »

Allow her to face down those pesky reporters just like Barack Obama did today, just like John McCain did today. Just like Joe Biden has done on numerous occasions. Let her have a real news conference with real questions.

"No bias, no bull"
More on whether the media are covering Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin fairly on "Campbell Brown: Election Center"
8 ET tonight on CNN

By treating Sarah Palin differently from other candidates in this race, you are not showing her the respect she deserves.

Free Sarah Palin.

Free her from the chauvinistic chains you are binding her with.

Sexism in this campaign must come to an end. Sarah Palin has as much a right to be a real candidate in this race as the men do. Video Watch a debate on whether the GOP is hiding Palin »

So let her act like one.

Viewers reacted to Brown's commentary with e-mails to the show. Here is a sample of some viewer reaction to Brown's remarks:

Thank you soooo much Campbell. I have been screaming that same [thing] about Palin forever and it didn't seem like any of media wanted to call him on it. I know the media has been talking about not getting to question her, but no one has said it was due to sexism and that is exactly what it is. That is what it has been since the beginning. Just thank you for finally saying it. You have the best show.

Jennifer of Stillwater, Oklahoma

Campbell's "rant" was just ridiculous. The media including CNN have themselves to blame for Palin being protected. None of the extreme, harsh rumors, etc., have been said about any of the other candidates. If the media is frustrated, who cares. They certainly didn't care what they were doing in the weeks after she was selected. I've lost much respect for those covering this election. Bias is clear, and that is not journalism. I will not be watching this program again -- as Campbell said -- I've had enough.

Elise of Dallas, Texas

The diatribe about turning Sarah Palin loose was really weak. If you would report truthfully, then you might get to interview more of her. You're getting just what you set up with your biased reporting. And people are wising up.

Slim of Crossville, Tennessee

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Woo hoo! Very nice rant Campbell! And thank you for finally stating what has already been obvious re: Palin. Is she so ready to be president if she needs constant shielding? I love it! And love your program.

Christy of Laurel, Maryland

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