This week’s controversial Newsweek cover unflatteringly portrays Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann as the “Queen of Rage.” Groups from across the political spectrum have called the cover sexist and, three years after the presidential candidacies of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton, the incident has raised questions about the media’s coverage of female politicians. 

On her Sound Off segment on MSNBC, Melissa Harris-Perry says both mainstream and liberal media outlets need to avoid portraying conservative women as inherently incompetent individuals. When criticism becomes highly personal, Harris-Perry says, it’s more likely generated by gender than by real political disagreements.

— Kevin Donohoe