What is Palin on the receiving end of so much "chivalry"?

You know, not so long ago (I think it was all of three months) sexism in the coverage of political candidates was all supposed to be a bunch of hooey. While poor, lonely bloggers like myself were going on and on about it, the MSM and much of the conservative political establishment were busy labeling folks like us as ridiculous and frenzied feminists who would be much happier if we could all un-bunch our collective panties. While we bemoaned the fact that Obama had never condemned (or even acknowledged) the blatant sexism that often characterized coverage of Senator Clinton's campaign, the sexism itself soldiered on generally unacknowledged. Thanks to Sarah Palin, however, we know now what it takes for sexism to get noticed in this country - if you want the political establishment and the MSM to unite in their condemnation of the sexism you're experiencing in your political career, it helps if you're a cute, petite brunette with a boatload of kids. If one of those kids could also be developmentally delayed, that would also be a big plus. People (men) will kill themselves to leap to your defense.

In the past few days, more teeth have been gnashed over the sexism that Sarah Palin has experienced than were gnashed during the entirety of Hillary Clinton's primary campaign. Let me be clear; I don't disagree that Palin has experienced sexism. Perhaps the most offensive of it is the suggestion that because she has a special needs child, she has no business having a career, much less a successful one. This type of discourse should have no place in politics, and the fact that it is nevertheless so ubiquitous deserves some serious critique. Unfortunately, the critique being spouted by most conservative commentators lately is so obviously two-faced and self-serving (not to mention being six months too late) that it makes me want to scream.

Haven't seen some of the more blatant examples of chivalrous hypocrisy? Check out this link from the Daily Show (thanks to Anthony for bringing it to my attention):