Women and Politics

Yesterday’s primaries brought huge victories for women across the country—many who succeeded against great odds, such as Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas and victim of egregious misogyny and racism, Nikki Haley, in South Carolina.

But the biggest headline we’re still seeing is how many of yesterday’s victorious women belong to the Republican party. Winning the GOP nomination last night were Carly Fiorina for U.S. Senate in California, Meg Whitman for California Governor, and anti-establishment candidate Sharron Angle for U.S. Senate in Nevada.

Though some of these women don’t share WCF’s views on reproductive health choices, I am encouraged. This sudden deluge of victories has forced the country to stand up and take notice of women’s political power.

That said, I want to ask these candidates one question: If elected, what will you do to advance women’s rights?

Many of you prevailed in spite of the Political Establishment. Now, it is my great hope that you will use your hard-earned collective power to help us break up the Good Ol’ Boys’ Club and change the many existing harmful views against women.

It is my firm belief that we need more women in government—but it’s essential that they use their leadership to protect and empower all women in America.

That means working to turn the tide of the Establishment, which continually looks to restrict women’s freedoms across the board.

We all know how difficult it is for Republican women to defend reproductive health choices. The party’s vicious attacks against Dede Scozzafava last year were a prime example of this.

In fact, RNC member Bill Crocker said in January,

“No more Scozzafavas, please. No more Specters, please. No more Chafees, please.”

Well at WCF, we want many more Scozzafavas, please. At WCF, we constantly look for Republican candidates who do support health choices, work to provide a safe haven for those women, and find new ways to recruit pro-choice Republican women.

Moderate Republican Woman shouldn’t be a bad word. We want both parties to acknowledge that most Americans believe health choices should be left up to the individual, not the government or a politician.

So as the country lies in wait to see how many new GOP women will be elected this November, I challenge  these women to take a stand for their gender—not work against it.

Who needs more women in government? Alabama.

Alabama ranks 48th among all U.S. states for the number of women in public office.

But candidate Terri Sewell is out to change that—running to be the first woman ever elected to U.S. Congress from Alabama.

As Sewell told WCF Leadership Circle Members in April,

“Alabama has had two women who have been appointed to fill their husbands’ unexpired terms, but a woman in her own right has never won.”

Sewell also spoke about how her gender has played a role in her race—often having her fundraising abilities underestimated and being asked why she isn’t married or raising children.

If Sewell wins today’s Democratic primary, she will be one step closer to making history.

U.S. Congress, make way for Colleen Hanabusa!

Last week, we cheered as State Senate President Hanabusa garnered more votes than her Democratic challenger, Ed Case, in a mail-in-only special election for Congress in Hawaii’s 1st District.

On Sunday, Case announced that he won’t be running for this seat in November, leaving Hanabusa as the clear Democratic candidate to run against Charles Djou in November’s general election.

Hanabusa praised Case’s decision as selfless and generous, promising to continue looking beyond the status quo and seek out new ideas to shape the future of her district.

Already, this election year has proven difficult (to say the least) on women candidates, and I hope that Hanabusa will be just one of many victories we can celebrate in November!

While Sarah Palin’s laundry list of controversial views has incensed a broad spectrum of Americans, she has been an especially sharp thorn in the sides of feminists. And with her ever-increasing celebrity status, it seems we just can’t escape her damaging rhetoric.

But things just managed to get worse. Now Palin is claiming that she’s a feminist? (April Fools? … j/k? … No?)

As if we don’t have enough trouble battling blatant anti-woman forces…now we have to face a political celeb who mistakenly identifies herself as one of us? Oye.

With feminists like Sarah Palin, who needs enemies?

It seems that Palin thinks by putting the word “Conservative” in front of “feminist,” she’s able to magically change its intrinsic meaning. It would be like calling yourself a meat-loving vegetarian—it just doesn’t work. Their goals directly contradict each other.

Of course, many actual feminists have already refuted and condemned Palin’s false identification. Simply put by Taylor Marsh,

“Anything less than supporting women’s full individual rights simply renders you a pretender, a fake, a feminist fraud.”

While there has been debate about whether or not you can be an anti-choice feminist, the majority of thought and most of the feminist community concludes that you can’t. (Basically, an individual’s choice for or against abortion for themselves shouldn’t apply to everyone - but that’s a giant topic for another day.)

As Palin has done nothing but use her own personal decisions to showcase her anti-reproductive choice stance, it’s clear that she doesn’t support women’s freedom to make their own personal choices. Heretofore, she is not a feminist.

In fact, I would argue that it’s worse than that: Sarah Palin’s politics, views, and approach are actually harmful to women.

I say this especially in light of her battle plans against female candidates who would actually advocate for women’s rights. In fact, she’s targeting many WCF-Endorsed Candidates.

WCF works to get more women into public office, from both sides of the aisle. But we, along with many women’s organizations, believe that it’s imperative to elect more women who will defend women’s reproductive health.

Unfortunately, Palin’s recent actions aren’t just threatening to women’s health—her venomous and uncompromising approach to politics harms our entire country.

Many note that Palin and Bachmann’s political approach disproves the idea that women collaborate more than men. As former Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.) said,

“With Sarah and Michele [Bachmann], they’re not listeners — they want to tell you what to believe, so it’s a very different style than most women in politics have had.”

But at a time when explosive partisan politics continues to deepen our divisions, do we really want leaders who will only continue to tear that expanse further apart?

And I must remind everyone that Palin’s extreme reproductive choice views don’t reflect those of most Americans; who believe that individuals, not politicians or the government, should decide which option is best for themselves and their families.

It deeply saddens me to witness the destruction caused by women like Sarah Palin; who could use their powers for good, not evil; whose goals aren’t to truly empower women, but strip them of their freedoms; who don’t foster much-needed collaboration, but boast how they would further divide; who aren’t a true voice for all women, but tow the line of minority opinion.

As recent elections have overwhelmingly demonstrated, our current political system often fails women. And Palin’s tactics only further polarize our political system, making it increasingly difficult for women to succeed within it.

I truly hope that voters this November will choose collaboration over division; new approaches over stale partisan politics; and advancing women’s rights instead of turning back the clock.

As the divisive battle over reproductive health continues, both sides continue to declare that their views are supported by most Americans.

But as the Women’s Donor Network’s research has discovered, it’s all in the way you frame the question. And when asked about people’s freedom to make individual life choices, it seems that most Americans want that right—which includes access to the full range of reproductive health choices.

An excerpt from their Moving Forward research findings is below:

MOVING FORWARD TOP 10 KEY FINDINGS

A NEW FRAME LEADS TO A NEW DISCUSSION; IT MATTERS WHERE YOU START THE CONVERSATION.

The frame incorporates the word “life” in a new way and prompts people to naturally use language that conveys a set of core American values including individual decision-making, responsibility, respect, freedom and prevention.

By using the word “decisions,” we can highlight the more serious, deliberative nature of making a choice, supporting public opinion for many choices and options.

Birth control is supported by 91% of voters.

In the opinion of eight out of 10 voters (78%), the government has a responsibility to ensure birth control methods, emergency contraception and the HPV vaccine are safe and available.

A large majority (81%) believe that regarding these important life decisions, individuals, not politicians or the government, should decide which option is best for themselves and their families, according to their own circumstances and values.

Both men and women (78%) believe that for women to achieve equality, they must have access to family planning services, including birth control.

91% believe couples should be able to have access to birth control options.

86% believe that on comprehensive sex education, schools can do a good job, probably better than most parents, on the biological and scientific aspects of sex education, but it’s a parent’s job to provide the moral and ethical guidance.

76% believe that for teenagers, prevention starts with comprehensive sex education including abstinence. But, if we are serious about wanting to decrease unintended pregnancies, we also need to make sure birth control is widely available and accessible.

A strong majority of voters (87%) agree insurance companies should be required to cover women’s preventive care and screenings, such as contraception, Pap tests for cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings.

VOTERS WANT ABORTION TO BE PUT IN PERSPECTIVE AND NOT BANNED

The current political discussion focuses mostly on abortion, but voters want a broader discussion that is more relevant to their everyday lives.

A strong majority of voters (81%) think that issues such as birth control, emergency contraception, comprehensive sex education, stem cell research, end-of-life decisions and the hpv vaccine are just as important as abortion.

Eight out of 10 voters (81%) agree that they “may have one position on abortion, another on birth control and still a third on end-of-life decisions” and that “sometimes we must just agree to disagree.”

Support for legal, safe abortions has been consistent for three decades.

In the view of eight out of 10 voters (81%), we should each appreciate and respect our individual opinions.

INTENSITY AND HIGH LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR THE BROAD AGENDA EXIST ACROSS RELIGION, PARTY AFFILIATION AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS

Our research shows that regardless of religious affiliation, church attendance, abortion stand or voting history, a strong majority of voters agree with key statements that support a broader agenda:

A strong majority of Catholic (81%) and Republican (62%) voters agree that: “The current political debate focuses on abortion. But there is a much broader discussion that needs to happen that includes issues such as birth control, emergency contraception, comprehensive sex education, stem cell research, end-of-life decisions, and the HPV vaccine, that are just as important.”

A strong majority of Catholic (85%) and Republican (66%) voters also agree that: “We need to respect people’s ability to make their own life decisions and not impose our values and views on them.” Support is strong regardless of religion, church attendance, voting history or abortion stance.

VOCAL HARD RIGHT ACTIVISTS STOPPING PROGRESS ON THE BROADER AGENDA ARE ONLY 9% OF ALL LIKELY VOTERS

A cluster analysis of our research reveals that a small percentage of voters dominate the discussion of the broader agenda.

These extremely politically active voters are opposed to family planning and comprehensive sex education; their opposition is fueled by moral and religious beliefs.

They largely identify themselves are Republican voters: 81% (14% say they are ticketsplitters; 5% say they are Democrats).

After much ado about potential financial involvement, the DCCC has pledged to say a temporary “aloha” to the race for Hawaii’s 1st District.

This special election contains many layers of confusion: It’s winner-take-all, mail-in only, with two Democrats and one Republican running.

State Senator Colleen Hanabusa and former Congressman Ed Case are running an increasingly heated race against Republican candidate Councilman Charles Djou.

If the votes are split between the two Democratic candidates, the seat will most likely land in the hands of Djou until the primary election in July.

The fear of losing such a blue district and the birthplace of President Barack Obama has led the Democratic Party to repeatedly pressure Hanabusa about the campaign—warning her about the repercussions of the battle between her and Case.

Her response to this not-so-subtle request to bow out? A press conference in which she clearly stated that she is in it to win it:

“I don’t know how else to respond but to just say this: I’m in this race until the end, and I’m in this race to win.”

It’s interesting to say the least that the DCCC wanted Hanabusa to step aside, when Case has lost at least as many elections as the Buffalo Bills have Super Bowls.

Hanabusa’s 12 years as State Senator and her long record of public service has garnered much support throughout the district. And she is more than ready to take on the political establishment,  which has damaged and ended the campaigns of many viable women candidates this year, most recently Secretary Jennifer Brunner and Connie Saltonstall.

Thank you, Colleen Hanabusa for continuing to stand strong against the old boys club and not back down.

When facing a primary contest, the party’s default decision should not be to support the man.

Next Sunday, May 22nd is the deadline for postmarking ballots this mail-in only special election. Regardless of the result, let it be known that we will continue supporting strong women candidates and calling out the establishment when they attempt to bully them out of running.

Have you ever wondered why women’s political progress has stagnated? Why in the year 2010 we only have 17 women serving in the U.S. Senate?

While there are many factors behind the continuing gender gap, yesterday’s primary elections reveal one of the biggest problems: Our current political structure repeatedly prevents women candidates from succeeding.

Already this year, we have seen too many talented female candidates be ignored, cast off, and even attacked by their own party. (Read: Dede Scozzafava, Colleen Hanabusa). But WCF’s endorsed candidates forge ahead anyway—determined to overcome the odds stacked against them by the political establishment.

Secretary Jennifer Brunner’s run for U.S. Senate provides a classic example of the political system failing a strong woman.

We watched as she boldly defied the establishment—who told her to drop out, give up, and bow down. Brunner ran a tenacious grassroots campaign across Ohio and earned 44% of the vote last night.

She fought the full weight of the Democratic establishment and showed that courage and conviction can be a formidable opponent to money and influence. However, she will be sorely missed in the U.S. Senate, and Ohio still hasn’t seen its first female Senator.

Much like Brunner, U.S. Senate candidate from North Carolina, Secretary Elaine Marshall, was outspent and underestimated in her primary. However, I’m proud to say that Marshall was the top vote-getter yesterday,  garnering 38% of the vote. This tough candidate is ready to tackle the runoff election in June—and WCF will be behind her every step of the way.

We will also firmly stand with our candidates who won their primaries last night, and will continue onto the November elections:

Patsy Keever, North Carolina House of Representatives, District 115
Rep. Marcia Fudge, U.S. House of Representatives, District 11
Rep. Betty Sutton, U.S. Representatives, District 13

Also continuing to the general elections, running unopposed yesterday, are:

Commissioner Paula Brooks, U.S. House of Representatives, District 12
Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, U.S. House of Representatives, District 15

We are saddened to report losses for the following candidates, and we encourage them to run again at the earliest possible opportunity. We all need these women in government:

Tamela Lee, Ohio State Senate, District 27
Rosemary Palmer, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 16

In addition to all these great WCF candidates, Jennifer Brunner and Elaine Marshall especially provide shining examples of why WCF exists—to support women who make the decision to run for office—despite the odds, and even when the system gets in their way.

WCF is here to help clear the path, chop through the weeds, and guide talented women through their candidacy—women who exceed expectations at every turn, forge their own path through the political wilderness, and light the way for those who follow.

To ensure the elimination of our political gender gap, WCF continues to use a different political paradigm for women candidates—one that rewards leadership and courage, and does not bow to the conventional model that stagnates women’s political progress. A league of our own, you could say.

I hope anyone who believes in the need for women’s political equality will stand together in 2010 and beyond to build a new political system that works for women—not against them.