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A man cried during a political debate last night. Does it make a difference?

It derailed Pat Schroeder's career when she cried in 1987, and it staggered Hillary Clinton when she sniffed a bit in New Hampshire in 2008. "

," CBS News declared in a 2002 story on the political problems of crying, especially if you're a woman.

Last night, one of those "lightning round" questions (like the "when's the last time you fired a gun?" question in a gubernatorial debate in Minnesota two weeks ago) caught Republican Charlie Baker during a gubernatorial debate  with Democrat Martha Coakley  in Massachusetts.

The question?   When was the last time you cried?

Baker choked up when he talked of meeting a fisherman during the campaign.

Coakley was a little misty eyed when she talked about the death of her father.

But the moment passed and they moved on to talking points.

Baker, Coakley Strike Emotional Tone In Final TV Debate

Baker And Coakley Face Off In Emotional Final Debate

Emotional Charlie Baker describes meeting local fisherman

Tears mark shift in tone in final debate between Baker, Coakley

The question was designed to do just what it did, writes 

"There’s nothing wrong with asking an offbeat question that could show voters a more human side of the candidates. But the gimmick has gotten old fast. Pretty much every debate now ends with a 'What actor should play you in a movie?' question," 

The moment proved Baker isn't the unfeeling candidate his opponent has painted him as in the campaign, 

 the same reaction to the tears female candidates have gotten over the years.

Bob Collins

Author

A man cried during a political debate last night. Does it make a difference?


Focus on candidate tears is a crying shame

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