"How do we beat The Bitch?"

I saw this on cable news this morning. Maybe it's trite, but I'm really offended by McCain allowing a constituent to call HRC "The Bitch" without commenting on how inappropriate and counter-productive that is. It's especially offensive when you consider that the African-American community is having a painful conversation right now about calling women bitches and ho's (and each other the N word)!!

You can watch the clip at this website:
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13582.html

McCain thinks ‘bitch’ inquiry is an ‘excellent question’
Posted November 13th, 2007 at 3:15 pm

Obviously, presidential candidates aren’t responsible for comments made by their supporters. Candidates are, however, responsible for showing a little class. It’s apparently something that John McCain has forgotten.

At a campaign event in South Carolina, a McCain backer stood up to ask the senator, “How do we beat the bitch?” I

n response, McCain said, “We have our differences with our Democratic rivals, but I believe in treating people with respect. It’s why I don’t refer to women as ‘bitches,’ even when I disagree with them. I’m sure all of us believe we can debate the serious issues of the day without name-calling and degrading language.”

No, no, I’m just kidding. He actually responded, “That’s an excellent question.”

ADDENDUM 11/15/07

This morning Joe Scarborough's entire team, including Mika Brzezinski (daughter of hawkish Jimmy Carter advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, who currently advises the Obama campaign), was tut-tutting the emptiness of this discussion, saying pundits have to fill airtime, so they go on and on about things that don't matter. I know it's not a "policy" issue, but I don't think considering the implications of calling HRC "The Bitch" falls in the same category as discussions of what people wear or their haircuts and that sort of drivel.