Samantha Bee Is Tired of Double Standards

And as late-night television’s only female host, she should know.


On last night’s episode of Full Frontal, Samantha Bee tore into the double standard the nation’s first female presidential nominee has endured compared with any other nominee, especially her opponent, “Agent Orange.”

Bee aired a clip of Hillary Clinton accepting the nomination and then followed it with images of male commentators’ and their observations that her historic speech was “shrill” and a “very average scream.”

“We have waited our whole lives to hear a woman to say those words,” Bee said, “and then, immediately get criticized for the voice she said them in.”

She pointed out how pessimistic and laden with fear and mistrust the tone of the Republican National Convention was in contrast to the refreshingly upbeat Democratic Convention—filled with speeches about a promising future of inclusion and acceptance, only if Clinton wins in November.

Bee played clips from the rousing endorsements by Vice President Joe Biden, vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine, former Attorney General Eric Holder, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, several seasoned police veterans, “just for good measure, half the fucking Pentagon,” the current first lady and president, and even Sen. Bernie Sanders, and suggested that Clinton’s win in the general election should be a sure thing.

But, Bee noted, even after President Barack Obama said there is no person more qualified—not him, not Bill—than Hillary Clinton to be president, doubts remain that she will be able to secure the presidency come November.

“That is how good you have to be if you’re a woman running for president,” an incredulous Bee said. “And she still might lose!”

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