Bob Woodward seems to think running for president should be a relaxing experience, judging by his criticism of Hillary Clinton on Wednesday.
The veteran Washington Post reporter was not shy about scrutinizing Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," offering a seemingly gendered critique of her style and her "unrelaxed" manner of speaking.
"I think a lot of it with Hillary Clinton has to do with style and delivery, oddly enough," Woodward said. "She shouts. There is something unrelaxed about the way she is communicating."
Woodward apologized for "dwelling on the tone issue," but said "there is something here where Hillary Clinton suggests that she's almost not comfortable with herself."
Clinton should "lower the temperature" and "get off this screaming stuff," he added.
Other guests during the segment defended Clinton. "These are rallies, though, and it's hard [not to scream] at a rally," journalist Cokie Roberts said.
The former secretary of state has been criticized for her appearance and a perceived lack of approachability for her entire career. Much of that criticism is clearly sexist: shouting, for example, is not usually a liability for male candidates.
Republican presidential candidates have also taken similar shots at Clinton. Donald Trump has repeatedly tweeted about her purported lack of "strength and stamina," and at a recent campaign event, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) disturbingly said that he would "beat her rear end."
In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, former Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said she empathized with Clinton's experience as a woman in politics. “I really do have great empathy for what Mrs. Clinton is going through, because the hill that she has to climb on -- appearance -- it's just a different hill than men have to climb," Bachmann said. "I'm not whining about it. It's just reality. It is what it is."
Clinton narrowly won the Iowa Democratic caucus on Monday night. She's currently in New Hampshire, which will hold its primary election next week.
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