ControversiesMichelle Bachmann and the Sexism FactorBy Michael Crowley | @crowleytime | July 7, 2011 | + TweetAfter senior advisor Vin Weber's apology for referencing Michele Bachmann’s "sex appeal," Tim Pawlenty's team is about to learn the hard way that campaigns against a woman are a distinctly tricky business. The charge of sexism often lurks just around the corner, frequently with justification—because politics and the media remain a male-dominated game—but sometimes not. Barack Obama was, not entirely fairly, called sexist during the 2008 Democratic primaries and then again during the general election (remember the big "lipstick on a pig" debate?). Bachmann's strong role in the GOP race seems likely to produce the familiar combination of dumb statements by men—"Is she a flake?"—as well as overreaching defenses by the candidate herself. In this case, Weber's words probably fall into the first category. All of the Republican candidates need to be aware of this dynamic, both for reasons of propriety and practicality. Although now chair of the biggest risk for Pawlenty, who more than anyone else must rein in Bachmann before she chokes his candidacy in the cornfields of Iowa.P.S. Here's a photo I stumbled upon of Bachmann and Weber, who appear to be friends, chatting back in January.Topics related articles: Ralph Lauren Rugby Shirts Burberry Polo Men Lacoste Polo Women