Women and Politics

Minnesota State Representative Kathy Tingelstad (R) was attending the Minnesota’s Progressive Republican Tradition event. Many of the Republicans attending this event considered themselves to be GOP progressives. Representative Tinglestad spent a few minutes of her time with me. Here is what she had to say about women involved in politics and what issues are important to women.

One of the nice things about covering the Democratic convention from the comfort of my own laptop in a home office, is that there are plenty of opportunities for the convention to come to me!

I was sad to miss the EMILY’s List events at the DNC. But conference calls are a pretty good substitute, especially when I realized that I probably wouldn’t have been able to ask EMILY’s List President Ellen Malcolm any questions with a thousand other people around, but quickly got in the queue by phone!

She and Denise Singiser, the Women’s Vote Director for the Obama Campaign, started off talking about how Barack Obama is a long-time advocate of equal pay for women and supports legislation to accomplish that, including the Lily Ledbetter Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

That’s great, but my longstanding question has been how much will he really do if he is elected to ensure their prompt passage, rather than seeing them shuffled to the bottom of the list, only to languish.

I know that no candidate is going to pledge a time-line for any agenda item — the Clintons learned the hard way with their health care plan that maybe that wasn’t the best way for a new administration to get moving.

But Malcolm had a great answer about how to get legislation passed that will give workers a fair shake when it comes to pay issues, one that addressed it from a different angle…

[The rest of this post can be found at Pundit Mom.]

[The content below is a paraphrased summary of the Clinton speech made at the DNC this week. It in no way is meant to express the political inclinations of the author or the WCFF.] [update: Video included]

After a video display of Hillary Clinton and her family. Hillary is introduced with excitement and grace by her daughter calling her mom her “hero.” After waiting for the cheers and standing ovation to stop, she reminds America that she is a proud democrat, a proud mother, a proud senator, and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.

“No matter who you voted for in the primaries, we have to vote as a united party.”

She talks about her 30 years in the trenches helping families balance workand family and fighting for women’s rights around the globe. Telling the crowd, We should not have to suffer through failed leadership.

“No Way, No how and No McCain.”

On the campaign trail she remembers important stories that made it possible for her to continue to campaign and fight to be President.

“You allowed me to become part of your lives and you became a part of mine.”

She remember the single mom that adopted two kids with Autism but had cancer. She walked up to Clinton with her name written her bald head asking Hillary to fight for healthcare.

Clinton shows respect for democrats that we have lost. Champions like Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. Stating that Tubbs-Jones wanted a fairer, smarter, stronger and better America. Merv, Tubbs-Jones son, stood up.

Clinton talks about the “invisible” [Americans], that have gone unnoticed by the government for eight years. This is why she ran and now supports Barack Obama for President. We need leaders who can help us and show us that there are no limits to what is possible in America. However, getting to see this America won’t be easy but it will be “impossible” if we don’t have a President that is a Democrat in office.

“If we do our part we will do it again with Obama as President”

She goes on to talk about the great team of Obama/Biden ticket but also the strong women they have for partners.

She talks about the economic stagnation and lack of alternatives for energy. The audience chimes no, saying no more to what has been plaguing American life. She talks about McCain’s economic policy and compares it to the Bush Administration.

“Ironic that they McCain and Bush will be together in the Twin Cities because they are awful hard to tell apart. “

She leaves the stage after evoking Harriet Tubman’s path to freedom.

“If you hear the dogs barking, keep going. If you hear them yelling after you, keep going. If you see the lights behind you, keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”

Happy Women’s Equality Day! For those who don’t know, August 26th is an official commemoration of the passage of the 19th Amendment (hat tip to the National Women’s History Project for the text of the Resolution):

Joint Resolution of Congress, 1971
Designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and

WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women’s Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.

And, as an homage to women’s suffrage (tongue in cheek, of course!), enjoy the below:

The crowds were excited. The police were everywhere, some in riot gear to be prepared for anything. Yet there was nothing for them to do. The mall walkway was busy and buzzing with people stopping at stores and the local Bar & Grill. Reporters are capturing footage of all the people.

I stopped Danielle and I asked her two questions, one about Michelle Obama’s speech tonight and why women should be involved in politics. This is what she said.

The crowds are rushing out after the finale speech of Michelle Obama from tonight’s Democratic National Convention. People are excited and energized. I stop a few women “on the street” and ask their opinions. Most importantly, I asked them why women should be involved in politics. Here is what Michelle and Stephanie had to say.

After some plane trouble, a fueling, un-fueling and re-fueling problem, I finally make it to Denver, Colorado. The convention activities are already underway and I find getting around Denver a challenge. Local transportation is not as simple as one might think. However, everyone is friendly and I am greeted with “Welcome to Denver” signs held by Denver locals. The activities ahead at the National Democratic Convention are exciting.