The Nation magazine’s Joan Walsh got into a heated back-and-forth with a GOP strategist over gender disparities in work-life balance during Wednesday’s “Live With Tamron Hall” on MSNBC.
Walsh argued that Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) insistence that he be allowed to prioritize family time if he runs for House speaker would not be taken the same way if he was a woman.
For this, Walsh was treated to an epic example of mansplaining by Republican strategist Doug Heye.
“He’s getting so much praise for what a woman could absolutely never ask for, Tamron, let’s just be real,” Walsh said.
Heye cut in, saying, “I’ll be real about that.”
He offered the example of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) as a high-ranking Republican who is openly dedicated to her family.
“No one is denying that,” Walsh responded. “Come on, Doug, back off. No one is denying that. It’s terrific. But no one gets to have a leadership position and make that deal.”
“Cathy McMorris Rodgers is the House Republican conference chairman, er, chairwoman,” Heye interjected.
“I know exactly what she is,” Walsh fired back.
“She’s in House Republican leadership.”
“Oh my goodness, are you going to filibuster me on this?” Walsh asked. “It’s ridiculous. This is an entitled man asking for something entitled.”
“If you don’t know what you’re talking about, I’ll provide the facts,” Heye replied.
Walsh said there are different expectations for women in the workforce, and that holding a top office while taking time away from work to raise young kids is an “impossible” demand.
“I wish it wasn’t that way,” Walsh said. “When I had a small child I wish I didn’t have to work, or I could have a top leadership job and not take time away from her.”
Watch their exchange below from MSNBC.
