Yesterday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar was sufficiently irritated by Washington Post writer Robin Givhan's piece on Elena Kagan to chastise her on the Senate floor for Givhan's fashion critique, Jezebel.com is reporting.


In the Post's piece, Kagan's clothing choices were described as conservative and dowdy and she was criticized for sitting without crossing her legs:

In the Senate chamber, Klobuchar said, "I took note of this since it was compared to my leg-crossing style. I have to say I never thought I would be discussing this - in this chamber. But in fact it was a major article and stirred much commentary all over the blogs." She also said, she did not think that such an article was ever written about Chief Justice Roberts.

Klobuchar mentioned that yesterday was her 50th birthday and she recalled she was kicked out of her fourth-grade class for wearing flowered, bell-bottomed pants by the principal (girls had to wear dresses).

"A lot has happened since those days in fourth grade. I hope we consider that the Soliciter General will be considered on her merits. The question should not be: Where does she shop?"

"That's what the press should be focused on, that's what we should be focused on."

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan meets with Sen. Amy Klobuchar on May 13. Photo: AP

In an interview with Media Matters, Givhan says she stands by her piece:

I appreciate your asking, but I think the column speaks for itself. I've responded as best I could to readers who e-mailed directly. I have not been studious in following the internet conversation.

As for being sexist...I don't think writing about a woman's appearance in the public sphere is inherently sexist. And yes, I've written about both Alito and Roberts. How quickly people forget.

Go here to watch an excerpt of Klobuchar's speech to the Senate Chamber.