They just feel threatened by a powerful woman

Belinda Stronach had barely made her debut as a Liberal yesterday when like-minded callers were pre-emptively phoning Toronto radio stations to bemoan the sexist nature of anyone who might in the ensuing days dare to label the woman a political whore. Oh, how very cute, and how very familiar: It is never enough for the Liberal Party of Canada, its henchmen or supporters, to let the people decide what they will make of a given situation. The good Liberal always attempts to dictate the very language of what will, and what won't, constitute the parameters of fair comment and reasonable discussion thereafter. But let us, just this once, dispense with those niceties.

The great Christie Blatchford, the "real boss" in this business. Do not cross her. Ever. XXTRA: Anne Kingston is no less devastating:

Stronach, to be plain, is not known for long-term fidelity. To put the nicest spin on it, she craves constant stimulation, new vistas to conquer. To be less charitable, she's easily bored and used to assuming authority without first earning it... Now Stronach doesn't have to endure a boring, if not eternal, wait for her Cabinet position. After all, she's been in politics for over a year! Now she has her nice starter Cabinet post as head of Human Resources and Skills Development.

Peggy Wente is also unimpressed:

Belinda doesn't seem to stay with men for long. Or careers. Or, as it turns out, political parties. She's always eyeing the next big thing just over the horizon. She's not that keen on working her way up from the bottom. She'd rather start somewhere near the top, where she can make a difference right away. "She feels she's gifted," her father, Frank, once said. Belinda says her private life is not our business. Still, you can't help detecting a few trends. She has a habit of mixing up love and business and ambition. Love generally winds up third.

Try to imagine a male columnist penning those lines. Or this zinger, again courtesy of Christie: Putting Stronach in charge of implementing the recommendations of the Gomery inquiry "is surely akin to putting the hen in charge of the fox house." ON THE OTHER HAND: That noted avatar of political correctness Colby Cosh thinks this sort of thing has the "musk of gender" to it.