Bachmann: Would Newsweek Have Published This Photo If Michele Were Male?

Newsweek on Sunday published the above cover photo of Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), a rather creepy, crazy-eyed, hypnotized-ish photo of the Congresswoman from Minnesota, with the title, “The Queen Of Rage.” But would Newsweek have published a similar photo of a sitting U.S. Congressman if the Congressman were a man and not a woman? Would they have considered it appropriate if the photo were of a crazy-ish, hypnotized-ish looking Congressman and not of a crazy-ish, hypnotized-ish looking Congresswoman? Would they have printed on the cover, “The King of Rage?,” instead of, “The Queen of Rage?”

Now, for all you newcomers, please know that The New Civil Rights Movement has published some of the most-quoted, most-linked to, most anti-Bachmann pieces ever. We are decidedly anti-Michele (and Marcus Bachmann,) and will continue to work against their dangerous and potentially-deadly hate and homophobia every chance we get — and there will be many more.

But, in all fairness, we have to ask, is this a little sexist? Is a crazy female presidential candidate being taken less seriously — or being treated with less respect —  than a crazy male presidential candidate, not because she’s nuts — and Michele Bachmann is nuts — but because she’s “Michele,” and not, “Michael?”

Lord knows Rep. Bachmann deserves to be treated with disdain and disregard, but we’re just wondering if there more to it than just sheer and utter fascination with her radical, religious, right-wing madness?

What do you — honestly — think? Has Newsweek, or Time, etc., ever published a similar piece on a male politician? (No, Rush and Beck don’t count.) Is this equal-opportunity Republican-ideology bashing (which we’re all for,) or is the ad-hominem attack a sexist one?

Gawker, being Gawker, Sunday wrote, “Congresswoman and Republican presidential candidate/shoo-in Michele Bachmann’s made the cover of the latest Cosmo Newsweek—an honor that comes with a new if not entirely original nickname (“the Queen of Rage”) and complimentary #QueenOfRage Twitter hashtag. Too bad the photographer startled her like that, eh?

“Ha ha, just kidding—they don’t call her CrazyEyes for nothing. Looking like she’s intercepting constitutions from other galaxies is her default setting. But seriously, what specific message do you think she’s trying to communicate with that gaze?”