Posts Tagged ‘same-sex marriage’
In defense of Dede Scozzafava: Why the GOP needs moderate women
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.
