An interesting article, Bruce. I did not think that much of the anti-Hillary sentiment was purely sexist. Looks like we can all learn. I don't think the issues surrounding her gender can be completely separated from issues surrounding her personal merit, because the two sets do intersect strongly. But the right thing to do is to address issues of personal merit without regard to whether they are some gender function or not, just as the right thing to do concerning Obama is to address the merits of the candidate without regard to where they "come from".

McCain's age is a slightly different matter, perhaps, because it can reflect on his actual qualifications. USing "senior moment" as an excuse for his flub over Iran and Iraq is hardly a reassuring excuse.

I would likewise be interested, getting back tot he thread, as to the rational that emerged in NARAL's meetings; I sympathize with and support their choice, but I would be interested in learning more about their reasons.

A