Pa. Gov. Rendell Accused of Sexism Over Comments

by Michael O'Brien - 12/03/08 10:48 AM ET

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said it is “perfect” Homeland Security Secretary-designate Janet Napolitano has no husband or children, drawing scrutiny from one TV personality who alleged sexism by Rendell.

“Janet’s perfect for that job,” Rendell was caught saying on an open microphone at yesterday’s National Governors Conference. “Because for that job, you have to have no life. Janet has no family. Perfect.”

Rendell added that the job may require as much as 19 to 20 hours a day in devotion, implying that the lack of a family would make her more able to engage the job.

One TV anchor, CNN’s Campbell Brown, said the comments were a marker of sexism, and “perpetuate stereotypes that put us in boxes, both mothers and single women.”

Napolitano’s Bush administration predecessors, Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, are both married with children