If Katie Porter was a man…….

 

By now, readers have seen or heard the videos of former Rep. Katie Porter explaining to a CBS reporter that she doesn’t need the support of Trump voters to win or the the 2021 video on Porter admonishing a staffer being in the background of a Zoom call with a Biden administration official.

Out come the posts about how difficult Porter is, how tough she is on her staff, how she’s borderline abusive and how these characteristics make her unfit to serve as governor of California.  How a crock of …..you fill in the next word.

Compare Porter’s reaction with the press compared to Trump’s, where tough questions are addressed with “you’re a terrible reporter” or “questions like these is why nobody reads you or watches you.”  Katie’s staff has their feelings hurt because she’s tough?  OK.  Quit.  Go work for someone else who just might be tougher and more demanding.  Or someone who doesn’t challenge you to be better on the job.  You knew what you signed up for and — the reality is — if you can succeed working for someone as tough as Porter, who is as detailed-oriented as anyone, you will be in high demand for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

Porter used an F-bomb! OMG!  Trump uses one, NBD.  Porter yells at a staffer? Oh No!  Trump belittles an appointee and fires them on X.com, so what?

If Porter were a man, no one would give this story much air.  And this article about the differences female leaders face compared with male counterparts rings true.

From the story “The Double Bind”:

“Women in leadership face a paradoxical challenge known as the “double bind.” This phenomenon occurs when female leaders are expected to display qualities that contradict traditional gender norms. They must be assertive to command respect, yet warm and likable to be accepted. If they are too authoritative, they risk being perceived as aggressive; if they are too empathetic, they may be seen as weak. This conflicting expectation creates a no-win situation, making it more difficult for women to advance and thrive in leadership roles.

The double bind emerges from deeply ingrained societal norms that associate leadership with traditionally masculine traits such as decisiveness, competitiveness, and authority. Conversely, women are often expected to embody communal traits like compassion, cooperation, and supportiveness. When a woman adopts leadership qualities typically associated with men, she may be criticized for not conforming to gender norms. However, if she prioritizes warmth and inclusivity, she may not be seen as a strong leader.

For example, research has shown that women leaders who negotiate assertively for themselves are more likely to be perceived as pushy or self-serving, whereas men who do the same are seen as confident and competent. This bias affects hiring, promotion decisions, and workplace dynamics, reinforcing barriers to gender equity in leadership.”

While Porter likely won’t get votes from voters who supported Trump in 2024, there are votes to be had from never Trump republicans and independents.  She should ask for support from those voters, but not count on them.  So I’m a little confused about the reporter’s questions on that.  I think the answers were obvious.  As a voter, I like that Porter is tough.  I like that she holds her staff to a high standard.  Could she be less abrasive?  We all can.

Republicans critizing Porter are the same ones who revere Charlie Kirk’s calls that women shoud submit to their husbands.  Katie is a single mom, a teacher and a lawyer who doesn;t need to submit to anyone.  And she’s going to be a powerful advocate for all of California when she’s elected Governor.