Women and Politics

It seems that Dede Scozzafava’s party is failing her. Word came today of even more Republicans jumping ship to back Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election.

At first, I had hope. The list of people backing Hoffman wasn’t exactly current party leadership: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Former New York Gov. George Pataki, Former House majority leader Dick Armey, Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

However, now we hear that National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman (NRCC) Pete Sessions is jumping ship on Dede, too. Sessions told POLITICO he would welcome Hoffman “with open arms.”

So now, thanks to those who don’t feel that the Republican Party should embrace ideals such as women’s rights, Hoffman is rising in the polls, and the GOP is afraid of losing the Republican seat.

To those who abandoned their own candidate, I have to ask: What if you stood in defense of Dede instead of caving to outside pressure? What would the outcome be if her party actually supported her properly?

Is this how all Republican female candidates should expect to be treated—left in the dust when faced with opposition? Abandoned for standing up against sexual abuse? Cast aside to endorse a candidate who drags the party backward?

Shame on you for deserting your own candidate, and double shame on you for deserting a strong female candidate, who you so desperately need for your party’s future.

Of the total women (90) currently serving in Congress, less than a quarter (21) are Republican. Why?

Let’s look at the case of Dede Scozzafava, WCF-endorsed candidate. She was picked by the Republican party to run in a special election for Congress in NY-23—despite her support of reproductive health choices and gay rights.

However, the vocal fringe of the GOP has descended upon upstate New York to so vehemently oppose her election that they publicly admit they would rather the Democratic candidate win than Dede. They’re now promoting accountant Doug Hoffman, who is running on the state’s Conservative Party line.

These folks (Sarah Palin among them) say Dede doesn’t embrace the ideals of the Republican party. But as David Brooks points out in the New York Times, her voting record is pretty middle of the road:

“Her voting record puts her almost exactly in the middle of legislators nationwide. That means she’s a moderate, though slightly right of center in the context of New York. So do the conservative honchos welcome somebody in the middle of the spectrum? No.”

Dede has a strong record of defending women’s rights, from sexual abuse to domestic violence. Are these issues “too moderate” for the Republican party? They weren’t too moderate to prevent her from being their candidate. And let’s keep in mind that the majority of voters support people’s ability to make their own life decisions about reproductive health.

I argue that women like Dede embody what should be the future of the Republican party: Not out of touch with mainstream ideals and supportive of women’s rights.

A moderate female Republican candidate shouldn’t have to experience what Dede and so many others have. As a nonpartisan organization, WCF fully stands behind Dede and looks to endorse female Republican candidates who advocate for women’s rights, including reproductive health choices.

I sincerely hope that the minority opposition won’t outweigh the true voice of NY-23 and deny them of such a qualified and talented woman leader.