The Rules for a Fair Fight

Which is why some people looked at the Democratic debate last week and saw a front-runner being scrutinized, and others saw a whole bunch of men ganging up on a woman. A tough woman, but still.

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"What was she -- a pinata for two hours?" asks Ferraro, who is supporting Clinton and says she objects only to the nature and extent of the attacks, which she perceived as "personal."

"I can't remember when a front-runner was attacked for two hours like that."

"The tone was probably less personal than if she'd been a man," argues Democratic strategist Anita Dunn. "I think the candidates are being relatively careful."

Former congresswoman Pat Schroeder, who is supporting Clinton, believes the former first lady is scrutinized to a degree male candidates are not. She cites the recent interest in Clinton's hearty laugh.

"Have you ever heard the president's laugh?" Schroeder asks. She demonstrates with a breathy little chuckle. " 'He-he-he-he.' It's like Woody Woodpecker."

Actually, people have been making fun of his laugh for years.

So much is about what you see in these inkblots.

The Rules for Male Candidates

Get the little woman on board.

Remember, gentlemen! Your better half, is, well, your better half. Use her. Plus, she can say stuff about a female opponent that you can't. (See: the Silver Fox, under Rules for Female Candidates.)

Men wishing to disable a female opponent's popularity with the female electorate can also do as Jim Talent did when he was running for reelection to the Senate in Missouri against Claire McCaskill. He put together a group of "Women for Talent." (He lost, though.) Rick Lazio, in his 2000 run for the New York Senate against Clinton, similarly started going to women-centered events.

He lost, too. For reasons we'll explore in our next rule . . .