 Ferraro gained immediate , large @-@ scale media attention . At first , journalists focused on her novelty as a woman and her poor family background , and their coverage was overwhelmingly favorable . Nevertheless , Ferraro faced many press questions about her foreign policy inexperience , and responded by discussing her attention to foreign and national security issues in Congress . She faced a threshold of proving competence that other high @-@ level female political figures have had to face , especially those who might become commander @-@ in @-@ chief ; the question " Are you tough enough ? " was often directed to her . Ted Koppel questioned her closely about nuclear strategy and during Meet the Press she was asked , " Do you think that in any way the Soviets might be tempted to try to take advantage of you simply because you are a woman ? " 
