Hillary Rodham Clinton was named one of Men's Journal magazine's "25 Toughest Guys in America" last week, making her the first woman to claim a spot on the list.
She was ranked 25th, just behind crash test dummy Rusty Haight-a fitting placement, considering the reason the magazine's editor gave her the honor.
In an interview with CNN, Tom Foster said, "I think just looking at what she's been through and what she represents, that sort of stood for itself."
Then, in reference to Hillary's handling of her husband's notorious affair, Foster said, "Would you mess with her?"
Well, Billy Boy did just that. And she still wears a wedding ring.
Washington, D.C. is considered a no-fault divorce district, meaning that a claimant can file without proving that his or her spouse ever did anything wrong-not that Hillary would have any problem doing so. Congress and a Grand Jury did the dirty work for her.
But the former first lady didn't file. She stuck with her philandering husband for better and much, much worse. In Clinton's memoir, Living History, she writes that the Lewinsky scandal was "the most devastating, shocking and hurtful experience of [her] life."
Gee, Hill, you think so? Your husband is the most powerful man in the nation and, quite possibly, the world. He cheats on you with an overweight, kinky-haired, GAP-clad intern in the Oval Office, then lies to you and the nation about it. Devastating, shocking and hurtful? Absolutely.
Many women have suffered because of their husbands' sheet-wrinkling antics with secretaries and best friends and interns, but their toughness should be measured by what they don't tolerate, not what they do. Adultery and divorce are epidemics in this country, and I'm sure Hillary's suffering was and remains immeasurable. It is not, however, a reason to rank her among America's toughest "guys."
Regardless of the blatantly obvious reason Hillary Clinton should not have been placed on the list, the editor's logic in the decision was completely misguided. There's no doubt Bill received a verbal castration from Hillary following the revelation of his affair or that he's probably still stuck in a sexual ice age. I have a feeling that if he weren't the Commander In Chief, his ass would (and should) have been kicked curbside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
But if Men's Journal wants to rank Hillary on its list, they should look into her political career. Perhaps then they could find someone more suitable-a man, maybe-to replace her.
Kelly Vaughn is the assistant editor of the Web Devil. Reach her at: Kelly.Vaughn@asu.edu
