Why It's So Hard for Men to Debate Women

Of all the playground rules that still apply to presidential politics, "don't hit girls" is probably the trickiest. Especially in debates, where "hitting" your rival (not literally, of course) is the whole point.

That's why so many male candidates have floundered when they found themselves going man-to-man with a female opponent. Most voters don't like to see women candidates get attacked or patronized by men.