Is Hillary playing the gender card?

Both the LA Times and NY Times suggest that Hillary plays the gender card when pressed for answers to hot questions. This issue sparked from Tuesday's debate where other democratic candidates as well as questioners repeatedly challenged Clinton to the point where it was a "pile-on." Her words.

Here's are some excerpts from former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America Kate Michelman's blog from yesterday morning:

When unchallenged, in a comfortable, controlled situation, Senator Clinton embraces her political elevation into the "boys club." She is quick to assure listeners she is plenty tough enough, that she's battled tested, ready to play be the same rules as the boys.

But when she's challenged, when legitimate questions are asked, questions she should be prepared to answer and discuss, she is just as quick to raise the white flag and look for a change in the rules. She then calls questioning, 'attacking;' she calls debate among her peers, "piling on."

It's trying to have it both ways; walk the fence, something Senator Clinton's good at. At one minute the strong woman ready to lead, the next, she's the woman under attack, disingenuously playing the victim card as a means of trying to avoid giving honest, direct answers to legitimate questions.

According to the LA Times article, Hillary's camp was quick to shoot back and say:

Phil Singer, spokesman for the Clinton campaign, said Saturday that Edwards, who represented North Carolina, and the other candidates were fabricating an issue out of desperation.

"The other candidates aren't going after Sen. Clinton because she's a woman, they're going after her because she's leading in the polls," Singer said. "Voters will make a decision about whether John Edwards' pledges to be positive" were anything more than just a political tactic.

And how is this different from when John Kerry played the Vietnam veteran card? Or Bush, the bumbling idiot card? Oh c'mon, let people play whatever hands they've been dealt in life.