Clinton says role of misogyny is unclear
PITTSBURGH --One of the most intriguing questions of the Democratic presidential contest is whether being black is a net gain for Sen. Barack Obama, and whether being a woman is a net gain for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Clinton offered no answer Thursday, after a famous fan -- rock star Elton John -- suggested that her gender hurts her. The British singer said he was "amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country," as he opened a concert Wednesday in New York City that raised $2.5 million for Clinton's campaign.
Clinton, asked Thursday if she agreed with the notion that anti-women sentiment impedes her battle against Obama, replied: "I don't know how I'd assess what role it's playing. I mean, look, you can't ignore the fact that gender and race are embodied in our two candidacies. We are who we are. And that produces reactions of all kinds in people. But at the end of the day, people have to decide who would be the best president."
Obama has made nearly identical remarks about race playing an undeniable role in American society. But he has not asked voters to back him because he is black. Clinton, while often saying it is time for a female president, does not typically ask voters to support her specifically because of her gender. 