Tuesday's debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney covered everything from Libya to gun control to health care — but the biggest takeaway from the night wasn't related to policy or politics. It was a single, simple phrase: "binders full of women."
Responding to a question about gender income inequality, Governor Romney told the moderator that he had made a point of seeking out female applicants for his gubernatorial cabinet in Massachusetts.
"We took a concerted effort to go out and find women who had backgrounds that could be qualified to become members of our cabinet," the Republican candidate explained. "I went to a number of women's groups and said, 'Can you help us find folks?' And they brought us whole binders full of women."
Those last four words — "binders full of women" — set the Internet abuzz, spawning countless tweets, Tumblr posts, and Photoshopped pics of women in binders. Celebs weighed in, too — some with jokes, others with political statements.
"Women should temporarily crawl out of their crowded binders to watch this," Parks and Recreation actress Rashida Jones tweeted, linking to a YouTube video about the "war on women's health."
Comedian Aisha Tyler tied Romney's comment to lyrics from a hip hop song, writing: "Ludacris: 'I got hoes in different area codes.' Romney: 'I got binders full of women.'"
"The main thing I took from tonight is that I need a binder full of women," Zach Braff said.
Added Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams: "Where does one find these 'binders full of women' who 'need to be more flexible'? Asking for a friend."
"I'm gonna pitch it as a show," Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes joked of the meme. "BINDERS FULL OF WOMEN: a new show about women trapped in binders by rich men who never had to work 4 anything."
Quipped Chris Rock: "There are going to be #bindersfullofwomen voting for Obama on Nov. 6."
