When she visited Bangladesh in early May, their human rights record wasn't the top news, nor was her speech on tensions within the country.
Instead, it was Hillary Clinton without makeup, as she went out in public sporting black framed glasses and red lipstick with her hair down.
Misguided as it was, most of that coverage was positive. Now, though, amidst rumors that she'll run for President in 2016, the knives are coming out.
Hillary Clinton
The latest attack on Clinton came from Ed Klein, an author who has penned a number of controversial books, including The Truth About Hillary.
"At this very moment that we're speaking right now, Brian, [the Clintons] are already thinking seriously about running in 2016," Klein told Fox News.
"She'll be 69 years old. And I don't want to sound anti-feminist here, but she's not looking good ... She's looking overweight, and she's looking very tired."
Klein, whose new book on the current President, The Amateur, contains an Obama divorce story and his old girlfriend's, continued to comment on Clinton."I think she's going to take time off, get back into shape. And if her health holds out - that's a big if, of course - if her health holds out, there's no question in my mind she and Bill - two for the price of one - will run in 2016."
Despite widespread respect for Clinton, society as a whole is seemingly comfortable judging female politicians on issues beyond their policies.
Clinton, 64, will be the unquestioned Democratic frontrunner in 2016 regardless of whether President Obama wins a second term in 2012.
That alone tells you the respect she commands despite criticisms of her weight and appearance, but is it still unfair to judge her in such ways?
Is this blatant sexism, or just a harmless side effect of a society heavily conditioned to celebrity gossip and airbrushed photos? You tell us.
[Photo: WENN.com]
