Analyze this, Spector

Norman 'I'm an analyst' Spector decided to weigh in on the MacKay/Stronach affair on Monday by calling Ms Stronach a 'bitch' and then refusing to apologize for it because he believes he's entitled to make such a proclamation based on what he reads in the newspapers about her private life.

Mr. Spector told radio listeners that Ms. Stronach's breakup with Mr. MacKay, as well as a role she is alleged to have had in the marital problems of former Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi, rendered her a bitch.

"I think she's a bitch. It's as simple as that," Mr. Spector said. "And I think that 90 per cent of men would probably say she's a bitch for the way she's broken up Tie Domi's home and the way she dumped Peter MacKay. She is a bitch."

Mr. Spector did not back down from the remarks in a telephone interview late yesterday.

"I think it's the perfect choice of word that the Oxford English Dictionary describes as 'malicious or treacherous,' " he said. "So I think as an analyst of politics, I chose the right word."

Now just a minute, Spector. You didn't provide an analysis of her politics, you attacked her personally based on what little you know about her personal relationships. But then, of course, he perhaps realized that little mistake and threw some politics into the mix before sticking his foot in his mouth again:

Mr. Spector noted that he has never been a member of the Conservative Party and that as chief of staff to Mr. Mulroney, he was seconded from the public service.

"I have no concerns about the Conservative Party, or the Liberal Party or any other party. I'm speaking as an analyst. And as an analyst, I think the behaviour she showed, particularly when she crossed the floor and that whole incident, qualifies as treacherous."

Mr. Spector also told the radio show that the issue about Mr. MacKay's remarks would not have remained in the public domain if it were not for the number of female reporters in the Ottawa Press Gallery.

"Half the Press Gallery now are women and women find this very offensive," he said.

Let's get real here. You called her a bitch because her floor crossing was 'treacherous'? We're all waiting for you to call David Emerson a bitch then too. Surely his actions were just as 'treacherous', weren't they Norman?

Regardless, it's clear from his comments about the press corps that Spector has a problem with women and that this isn't about politics at all. Stronach was right when she responded by saying that he has "issues". Calling a woman a female dog and then blaming the women in the press gallery for keeping the MacKay story alive when this would not even be a story if 1) MacKay hadn't said what he did and 2) MacKay had actually taken responsibility for it, is just a coward's way out. Deflecting attention from MacKay's actions by attacking the victim is quite a handy way to allow you to tell the world how you really feel about women, isn't it Norman?

This isn't about political analysis at all. It's about a man who couldn't pass up an opportunity to attack women. Period.