John Drescher’s column in the N&O Saturday – “The fair sex? Not in politics” – was on the money. His money shot: “…based on the recent campaigns, it’s hard to claim that women are more ethical and fair than men.”

He cited Liddy Dole’s “godless” ad – “the national cheap shot of the year.” He mentioned Kay Hagan’s victory-speech swipes at Dole and Bev Perdue’s last-minute ad attacking Pat McCrory on illegal immigration.

Had that ad not been so late and limited to radio, Perdue might have been pilloried in the media like Dole.

When it comes to going negative, Drescher argued, female politicians are no better than men.

There is another aspect to the story.

Used to be, the myth was that you couldn’t attack a woman candidate the same way you can attack a man. That’s one reason Erskine Bowles shied away from attacking Dole in 2002.

That myth was destroyed this year. And Dole was the most notable victim. A big reason she lost was the DSCC-funded attack on her – the “rocking chair” ads that have been so highly praised for their effectiveness.

Just to show that chivalry really is dead, those ads essentially attacked Dole for being old!

“Status quo Bev” Perdue can also tell you that women are no longer off-limits for negative ads.

Another giant leap forward for women in politics.

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