White House spokesperson Josh Earnest delivered a statement on the Ray Rice situation today, clarifying that President Obama “believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society.” Earnest added, “Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that’s true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors.”
Think Progress editor Judd Legum found the statement a little “off-key,” calling the “real man” formulation “pretty dated/sexist.”
Obama statement on Ray Rice a bit off-key: "Hitting a woman is not something a real man does.."
"Real man" formulation pretty dated/sexist
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) September 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/RobProvince/status/509148244468072448
Maybe it was just a consolation for the older folks.
https://twitter.com/gefiltecat/status/509144781646487552
Nah, that’s not it.
https://twitter.com/sconover/status/509154274795081729
.@JuddLegum Says who?
— Michelle Ray (@GaltsGirl) September 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/RightWingEddie/status/509154082599079937
https://twitter.com/zhanover/status/509153077190877185
https://twitter.com/coolhandschlute/status/509151742802796544
A real man wouldn't tweet something that douchey. RT @JuddLegum: …"Real man" formulation pretty dated/sexist
— Mav. Forensic Genius (@TheMaverick21) September 9, 2014
No. It isn't. RT"@JuddLegum: "Real man" formulation pretty dated/sexist”
— Donnnnnna (@DonnaIsHereNow) September 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/justus4all/status/509149556265594880
https://twitter.com/seanagnew/status/509149439047393280
https://twitter.com/Matthops82/status/509150057413636096
https://twitter.com/rachelveronica/status/509150287341187072
@Matthops82 The testosterone is weak with this one -> @JuddLegum
— Anthony Abides (@AnthonyAbides) September 9, 2014
"Not OK," is what all the unreal men are saying now, or their spokesgirls.@RobProvince @JuddLegum
— VACUOUS CIPHER (@THE_DAILY_BLEAT) September 9, 2014
You tweet like a girl. @JuddLegum
— Eric Larson (@larsoneric50) September 9, 2014
@JuddLegum So, you wake up every morning and this is how your brain works? Exhausting and tedious.
— Fitz1776 (@Fitz1776) September 9, 2014
A real man would never say that @JuddLegum
— @kevinsinclairsk (@kevinsinclairsk) September 9, 2014
@NathanWurtzel @JuddLegum I used to agree. Now I believe the demise of the concept of "real men" is to blame for much societal break-down.
— MarcyJMiller (@MarcyJMiller) September 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/michaeldidier22/status/509160952244482048
.@msdefarge Guess our friends on the left think "real man" supports outdated norms of masculinity. #orsomething @EvanMcSan @JuddLegum
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) September 9, 2014
The only explanation: the president was aiming down to reach rubes who still believe in terms like “real man.”
@RobGeorge @msdefarge @EvanMcSan @JuddLegum Not just on the left. The whole notion of a "real man" is moronic and should be mocked.
— Julian Sanchez (@normative) September 9, 2014
https://twitter.com/mosbourne/status/509158011747975168
@JuddLegum @blakehounshell In fairness, I don't think it's aimed at guys like me and you.
— Chris Swartout (@chrisswartout) September 9, 2014
@JuddLegum it does sound dated, I agree.
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) September 9, 2014