Could it be possible that Democratic voters are discriminating against Sen. Hillary Clinton simply because she's a woman? Is sexism the reason she is losing to Barack Obama? Say it ain't so, Gloria Steinem.

But Gloria says it is so, and so do some other female pundits. Writing in the ultra-liberal Boston Globe, a woman named Michal Regunberg claims that the mainstream media "(has) a tough time with Clinton and criticized everything from her pantsuits to her laugh ... "

Ms. Regunberg goes on to say: "They would not excoriate a man for (these things). What's worse, they get away with it. They use her as a punchline."

Four words: "Are you kidding me?"

Presidents Bush and Clinton are not used as punchlines? Come on. Did Ms. Regunberg miss Barack Obama being mocked incessantly for bad bowling? What was that — manism?

This is just nonsense. The reason Hillary Clinton is running behind Barack Obama is that he is perceived to be more liberal than she is, and the committed left dominates the Democratic primaries. Among other things, Sen. Clinton's Iraq war resume has rankled the far left who, early on, enthusiastically threw in with Obama.

In addition, because much of the media has moved dramatically to the left and, above all, is ardently politically correct, Sen. Obama's candidacy was greeted with great joy by many press people. They love him simply for being him. Is it a sexism deal? No. It's an Obama-mania deal with the press.

If John McCain had a shrill laugh, "Saturday Night Live" would surely use it as a mocking device. If McCain wore polyester leisure suits (I know where to get some), he'd be hooted. The truth is that any trademark, tic or idiosyncrasy will be used as a satirical tool against those in the public eye. Pantsuit jokes are easy, Letterman's writers love them. It has nothing to do with womanhood, it has to do with fabric.

Before Reverend Wright battered his image, Barack Obama was perceived to be more likable and more energetic than Hillary Clinton. He remains the new kid in town, as the Eagles sang, and everybody's talking.

No doubt, Sen. Clinton is disliked by some for her aggressive demeanor, but so am I. Is that Irish-ism? Some folks like type A's, some don't. Both genders get scrutinized for feisty behavior.

Finally, 22 percent of West Virginia Democrats said race was a factor in their vote, which gave Hillary Clinton a huge win. That, I believe, is a real concern. No vote should ever be cast for racial or for gender reasons.

But sexism didn't seem to matter in the Mountain State. Did it?

Veteran TV news anchor Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor" and author of the book "Culture Warrior." To find out more about Bill O'Reilly, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. This column originates on the Web site www.billoreilly.com.

COPYRIGHT 2007 BillOReilly.com.