A CNN op-ed outlines how media criticism of Hillary Clinton's voice is not only “sexist” and a distraction from political issues, but also represents a “charge faced by professional women that they are too aggressive and ambitious.”

Miami Herald and World Politics Review columnist Frida Ghitis calls out reporters for attacks on Clinton's speaking style, suggesting the criticism is part of “the 'shrill' smear against Hillary Clinton.” Ghitis writes that Bob Woodward and Joe Scarborough's critique of Clinton's Iowa victory speech was an example of “transparent sexism.” Ghitis also calls a New York Times report “absurd” for claiming that Clinton came off angry compared to Sanders, when in fact both speeches were “heated and intense.” She highlights The Philadelphia Inquirer's assessment that Clinton lacks “elegance and grace,” Peggy Noonan's comparison of Clinton to a “landlady yelling,” and Washington Post reporter Chris Cillizza's comment that Clinton was “Hyper aggressive.” Ghitis likens the “sexist” attacks against Hillary Clinton to the “charge faced by professional women that they are too aggressive and ambitious.”

These are not the only sexist attacks that have been levied against Clinton since her speech in Iowa. Fox's Geraldo Rivera claimed her “shriek” was “unpleasant” and suggested Clinton “may be hard of hearing,” while Sean Hannity -- who has referred to Clinton as “shrill” in the past -- said the speech was merely “angry, bitter screaming.” The media has a history of making sexist remarks about Clinton, targeting subjects including but not limited to her voice. From the February 8 op-ed:

Woodward, in case you haven't heard, brought his decades of expertise to the MSNBC show “Morning Joe” to shed light on the difficulties faced by the once-undisputed Democratic front-runner. He opined “a lot of it, with Hillary Clinton has to do with style and delivery, oddly enough.” Then he explained, “She shouts. There is something unrelaxed about the way she is communicating and I think it just jumps.”

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The transparent sexism, along with Clinton's poor performance with women, led former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to declare this weekend at a Clinton campaign rally that “there is a special place in hell for women who don't help each other.” Women, in fact, are free to choose among the candidates. But like all voters, they should ensure that insidious sexism, theirs or the pundits', does not waft in to cloud their judgment.

That there is sexism in politics, in business, in the world, is beyond dispute. But in this particular case there is an overarching risk, a cautionary message for voters. Sure, sexist attitudes are a problem for women. But here they are a problem for all Americans deciding who should become president. Instead of discussing what truly matters, the experts are talking about Clinton's tone of voice. And that is just one of the distractions along this well-trod path.

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There's the voice, of course, which a (female) writer in The Philadelphia Inquirer finds lacks “elegance and grace,” and Peggy Noonan says “reminds me of the landlady yelling.” Then there is that charge faced by professional women that they are too aggressive and ambitious.

During Thursday's debate, The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza called her “Hyper aggressive.” Another debate review, in The New York Times, contrasted her and her opponent, saying Bernie Sanders “kept his cool in the debate,” while Clinton appeared “tense and even angry at times.” The truth is they were both heated and intense, which was fitting. The Times' comparison was absurd.