CNN analyst: Sexism explains Clinton disapproval

CNN Political commentator Peter Beinart says he believes Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s high unfavorable ratings are partly explained by sexism.

“You’re not going to like this,” Beinart warned in prefacing his comments host Don Lennon. “But I don’t think you can explain Hillary Clinton’s unfavorable ratings without understanding the way that men, and some women, who are traditionally minded respond to women when they start to take traditionally male roles.” 

{mosads}“If you think 70 percent of the nation doesn’t trust her because she’s a female,” Kayleigh McEnany, a supporter of Republican nominee Donald Trump, argued before getting cut off by another panelist, Angela Rye. 

“That’s not what he said!” Rye exclaimed. 

“That’s not what I said,” repeated Beinart. “This is a massive cultural change that is threatened because women are not playing the traditional role that some Americans, including some women, would like them to continue to play.”

Beinart said polls showing a large number of voters don’t trust Clinton are linked in part to people not being comfortable with Clinton seeking the presidency because she is a woman.

According to a July 25 CNN poll, 68 percent of Americans says Clinton isn’t honest or trustworthy. That’s up 9 points from May.