Women, Where Are You?
With all that is at stake in this election, is anyone else shocked and awed by the amount of attention the "lipstick on a pig" comment has received? Where is the outrage? Specifically, where is the outrage from women? Are we going to sit idly by and allow the press to portray us as hyper-sensitive chumps more concerned with voting for our "own" than for the serious issues that confront us as a nation? Are we really going to allow the McCain campaign to use us as pawns in this game? Surely, we've come too far for that. The truth is most women know something about lipstick. Sadly, most of us also know something about pigs. Let's call this what it is.
Lipstick is: Saying that you are going to change the ways of Washington and throw out the lobbyists.
Here's the pig: Hiring a former bank industry lobbyist as your campaign manager and employing a team of Karl Rove cronies to use the same dirty tactics of lies and distortions as campaign strategy.
More lipstick: Saying that our lack of energy independence "has been thirty years in the making and caused by the failure of politicians in Washington."
More pig: Spending 26 of the past 30 years in Congress voting again and again and again (including two votes in this past year alone) against investments in renewable energy while proposing a $4 billion tax break for the oil industry.
Lipstick: Choosing a female running mate to help tap into the "18 million cracks" left by women who voted for Hillary.
Pig: Voting against a measure aimed at helping women achieve pay equity. Voting repeatedly against funding to fight and prevent domestic violence. Voting against extending insurance coverage to pregnant women and infants. Voting against $214 million for breast cancer research.
Lipstick: Using all of the imagery, rhetoric and running mates you can summon to portray yourself as a friend to the middle class.
Pig: Proposing a tax package which ignores 101 million Americans including 37 million seniors while offering $2 trillion over the next decade in tax breaks for corporations.
The bottom line is that the "lipstick" controversy was a cynical attempt by the McCain camp to use the gender card to distract voters from the real issues at hand -- issues that McCain is counting on voters to ignore. Women are the only ones who can call them out on it. We need speak up and demand that the candidates focus on the issues that really matter to us and to the nation.
The truth is no amount of lipstick can cover up the fact that we are amidst one of the most serious economic debacles since the fallout of the S&L crisis and John McCain is one of the Keating Five. No cosmetics will make up for the fact that Senator McCain has openly admitted that he does not know enough about the economy. No ruby-red will disguise the truth that thousands of lives have been lost, our military has been strained by a two-front war, we haven't found bin Laden and our world standing has plummeted on the failed policies of John McCain and George Bush. No paint will cover the fact that John McCain's campaign is teeming with lobbyists and Washington insiders intent on returning us to the same cynical politics of deception and personal destruction while perpetuating the same bad policies of George W. Bush.
If it is one thing women know, it is lipstick can only do so much.
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Dave C19 - as to your comments below mine (about half page down), and anyone who questioned anything about Obama during the primaries was considered a racist - so all questioning stopped.
The point is that there is far more sensitivity about race than gender. Some of the comments by liberal Democrats in this current sting discuss Palin's shrill voice, her hair, her mannerisms. When do we discuss those things about a man?
Hey - I think Palin is NOT qualified, but until Democrats stop demeaning their OWN female candidates, I'm NOT joining in any march against Palin. Nor, am I voting for McCain.
But that isn't true. Dennis Kucinich was mocked for his voice, mannerisms, and speaking tone... and for damn near everything else. John Edwards and John Kerry were both mocked for their hair.
People were accused of racial things with Obama because some of them were simply racially based, Ferrero's comments for instance. Even Bill's comments were based on race (and they were an open attempt to marginalize Sen. Obama), though they were not an attempt to play the race card, they did use the same tactics and language, hence the sensitivity. Not every cry of racism is racism, a la the "niggardly" comment a decade ago.... but White people don't have to think about their race, theirs words, or their actions much if at all, it is the benefit of being the majority, the one with the historical (and current) role of oppressor. Blacks on the hand face that every day of their lives. They are followed in stores, pulled over for driving cars to nice or in the wrong neighborhood, and seen as angry when they speak with the natural timber of their voices in mixed company, and as militant when they speak the same angry words a white person has uttered (Rev. Wright), and as ungrateful or uppity when they refuse to show deference or thanks to white people.
This is the world we live in, wrapped up in a web of tension based on the actions of our forefathers.
Obama will win. Nou doubt about it!
Women will be McCain/Palin's new Bridge To Nowhere
Do your homework ladies. This is the same women who while Mayor of Wasilla, was charging women who were raped, for Rape Kits. In 2000 Alaska lawmakers learned that during Palin's time as Mayor, women rape victims had to pay for an evidence-gathering test. If the victim had insurance, the insurance company was billed anywhere from $500 to $1,200...if not the victim was billed. When asked about this (when she became governor) Palin stated, she does not believe, nor has she ever believed, that rape victims should have to pay for an evidence-gathering test. To suggest otherwise is a deliberate misrepresentation of her commitment to supporting victims and bringing violent criminals to justice. The lawmakers were correct in their findings offering the Wasilla City budget document (available online). MAYOR: Sarah Palin
In 2005 Congress passed a law requiring states to provide rape exams free of charge or reimburse victims for the costs. Senate version of the legislation that included the rape-exam provision was sponsored by Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, and Barack Obama were two of 58 co-sponsors. John McCain was not a sponsor...he not only opposed Biden's legislation, but also has voted against funding it as recently as October 2007
Palin has no respect for women. She can preach her no abortion religion, but her private morality, is just fine with premartial sex.
WOW! Palin has the same psychotic & absolutely dumb ideas as McCain & Bush. Yeah, good idea Palin, let;s nuke Russia, heck you can do the aerial shooting like you do to the Russians like you do to the poor wolves you leave writhing in pain as the bleed to death.
A lot of women just plain like Palin. They like her style. They can relate to her. Obama's mission is to figure out some way for them to relate to him better. He hasn't done that yet, and the clock is ticking.
We are called fools, jerks, idiots, etc. Name calling is not going to get women back to Obama. Sorry, but I decided to vote for McCain months ago. The Democratic Party at the present has become much to liberal for me. I love Hillary and hopefully I can vote for her at another time.
Republican Operative.
Senator Clinton is every bit as liberal as Senator Obama, if you supported Sen. Clinton for her policies and not her sex there is no reason to not have the same position with Sen. Obama... which frankly would mark you as foolish, ignorant, or as I said above, a Republican Operative.
Palin is the one whose claim to fame will be a question on a Trivial Pursuit card.
Where are the women? I certainly hope that they are not voting for Palin because she is a "woman". No way, is Palin a subsitute for Hillary Clinton, and shame on the women who are "jumping on her bandwagon" and thinking so. There is only one thing that Senator Clinton and Palin have in common, and that is fact that they are both women and bore children. Palin is out of touch with the issues facing the United States and women, you can hear it in her speeches and the "McCain and I wills" . Not only that, 1 out of her 4 closest female friends said either that they were not voting for her, or had not decided who they were voting for. Go figure. Remember it is the McCain-Palin ticket, not Palin-McCain ticket.. And a VP can be changed anytime during a President's tenure!
I agree, women where are you? And PETA and gay rights activists and pro choice supporters...where are you guys????
Enough!!! It's time to take action. Log in to Barack Obam'a website, find an event in your area and make a difference. If you don't have time, Donate! If you can't donate TALK! Do not let this women take what we have been working on for so long. I can not look my daughter in the eye and tell her she will be going backwards!!
THIS IS OUR TIME! THIS IS OUR MOMENT!
You are a fool if you believe that McCain/Palin (or is it Palin/McCain?) won't overturn roe vs. wade. It is an explicit goal and they will be able to put in judges that will overturn it. And any woman who doesn't want that is a fool to vote for McCain.
"Women, where are you?"
They are jumping on the Palin stagecoach, oops, I mean bandwagon.
I am a big Hillary fan. Always have been. I was very emotionally committed to her becoming President.
I am also a man, which may surprise those who think she only attracts women..
I am falling for Gov. Palin. I like her a lot.
The biggest threats she poses appear to be:
1: Abortion rights. A worse case scenario has her pushing for judges who will reverse Roe v Wade, and the Dem Senate going along with that. I don't think that is a real possibility. Remember it takes 60 votes to confirm.
2: Inexperience. I just don't see how Obama has better or deeper experience that puts him above her in that, so I don't subscribe to this one.
3: Religious Extremism. I have listened and read about her carefully, and I conclude she has an American, Constitutional attitude toward the role of Govt.
4: Gun Rights. I have slowly moved my beliefs here, and for several years I have been in agreement with her on this.
5: Energy. She has a sounder philosophy than Dems on this one. We need everything, and a measured transition to non-fossil fuels, not an instant and expensive (traumatic) switch.
As for the other traditional "progressive" issues, I believe with McCain the Moderate at the head of the ticket, this is not so much of a worry as it would be against another Bush Jr.
Thanks.
ummm. Obama is a lawyer, educated at Columbia and Harvard. Palin is a 2nd place beauty queen, sportscaster, and it took her 6 years and 5 colleges to get a bachelor's degree. i'll put my money on the guy with brains, not the bimbo with the lies. thank you very much.
energy. obama's BEEEEEEN touting an all out energy policy which was voted against by mccain himself. in fact, everything mccain has been, the big change agent, after he "spread the lipstick on" has been stolen from obama. this is not palin's doing.
dude. i was a hillary supporter too. but i grew up. clinton was far too entrenched in lobbyist money. and chances are, with that video evidence out there, she might get indicted on campaign finance fraud. in other words, she had the same problems as other republicans, including sarah palin. and mccain was never a moderate. you don't become a moderate by voting for bush all the time.
why are you comparing palin with obama. did you fall into that trap. dude. YOU'RE NOT VOTING FOR PALIN. it's mccain vs obama. not palin. palin doesn't do anything. she's there, just in case the old man dies. or are you hoping the old man dies????
sarah palin is just mccain's lipstick. grow up.
RESPONSE #1--renaissance--don't forget that McCain is the candidate.
There is nothing moderate about him, any more. He has caved in on every issue got him the "moderate" label, from veteran's benefits to Bush's tax cuts and he even caved on torture. The veteran issue is the worst since he uses his POW status shamelessly.
Points:
1. There are a thousand ways she can limit a woman's right to chose, and no doubt would. (For example, see Bush's attempts do just that with HHC regulations being enacted next week.) Palin is the most extreme right wing idealogue on this issue of any of the candidates in recent history. With all due respect, sir, please don't play fast and loose with my daughter's right to chose abortion INCLUDING CASES OF RAPE/INCEST. (that makes my heart stop, that one)
2. She was a small town mayor for 6 years who had to hire a city manager to do the actual work. (No debt when she started, and after 27 million in fed earmarks, left the town $22 million in debt and in legal trouble). She has been governor for only 20 months. Obama is a constitutional law scholar, was a state senator for 8 years, and a US senator for 2 years. There is simply no comparison.
EDUCATION: Obama is a constitional law scholar and magna cum laude Harvard graduate. Gov Palin has a BA degree in journalism. Seriously consider which one is more equipped to take on Putin.
Please don't shortchange Obama's Senate experience - he was elected in 2004.
RESPONSE #2
Obama was greeted in Europe by heads of state and hundreds of thousands of cheering crowds. That's not a bad thing (as McCain's Rovian ads claimed). That's called being presidential. Please watch Gibson interview her; it's a trainwreck. She rarely actually answers a question. She is in completely over her head and they are hiding her from the media because of it. Imagine her trying to negotiate with Putin, and be afraid.
3. This one doesn't worry me, either. Fundies pray for parking spots, why wouldn' they pray for pipelines?
4. Gun rights--sadly the Bush years have made me agree with you as well and I have weakened considerably on gun control. I also think hunting for food is fine but gunning down wolves for sport from airplanes is evil.
5. Dems are not suggesting any kind of instant tramautic switch (to what do you fear?). They support FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES, which are desperately needed. Dems support a broad base of changes, the more the merrier.
I'm not sure where you're getting your info but be sure to factcheck talking points, especially during an election season. (offered respectfully)
Palin interpreted Constitution differently, as in the Troopergate, she said: “my husband made a call also. ...About my husband, his First Amendment rights, even—was that taken away once his spouse was elected governor?"
To her, governor's spouse can push other people to do things that the governor, his wife, wants people to do!
"WILL OUR VETS AND ARMY BE PROUD WITH McCAIN-PALIN AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF?"
mcCain is not a moderate- Obama is a moderate- and HRC, and she was and is my girl ;-)
I more progressive/leftist than either of them which is why I supportered her.
I was originally an O supporter but I kept digging into all the candidates backgrounds and beliefs, issues and stances- around February I came to the conclusion that Hillary was the most liberal/progressive of all of the candidates (viable) Dodd was/is also very liberal and of cource Kucinich who didn't stand a chance.
I wish people actually did some research on the bills sponsored or authored, the voting records, the previous work done- even before public office to see the arc of a persons belief systems and commitments before they make statements about who is a progressive, who isw a lefty and who is a moderate.
McCaion is far right.
He stands for nothing progressive. period.
He doesn't believe women should have equal pay for equal work. That in itself disqualifies him in my opinion --He did call his wife a trollop and c*** after all. He wants Roe vs Wade over turned, he is a war monger, he does not understand the precipice this country is on right now, he has a horrible temper- when other republicans who are none for the 11th commandment say they dread him becoming President there is something way off-- and he is seeming to become somewhat unstable or just plain sold out completely.
My head is spinning at the idea of Hillary supporters moving to the McCain-Palin ticket.
Palin is the polar opposite of Senator Hillary Clinton. Palin is:
* A social conservative
* Pro-life
* Against Universal Healthcare
* Believes in creationism - and that it should be taught in our classrooms
* Believes sex education should only include a discussion of abstinence. (Does she also believe reading should only teach vowels or math should only teach addition?)
* Does not believe the polar bear should be listed as endangered.
* Agrees with drilling in Alaska's arctic.
* [Put more far-right beliefs here.]
None of this represents Democrats and none of it represents me. I'm too smart to vote for a woman simply because she is a woman. I will only vote for the person, and the party, that represents my values and sees the world as I do.
In addition, Palin has less experience than Clinton, less education, less world travel. Hell, Palin has less education than me and is less traveled than me.
I saw a woman in a supermarket on Friday wearing a tshirt:"Palin--Read My Lipstick. . ." (I could not see all of the print). Several people eyeballed her; another woman at the checkout said, "OH, I love your shirt!" They both appeared to be 65-ish or older. Many have laughed and are making fun because they don't believe that "they" will be effected. The Repubs are going to get "them", so "they" aren't concerned and the LIES are just "jokes and giggles".
The undeniable truth is that Bill Clinton (the first black president) won 90% of the black vote. When Hillary ran, Obama won 90% of the black vote. Black voters decided that race trumped politics. If women decide sex is going to trump politics, why should anyone be surprised?
I'm sorry - but I don't see any "undeniable truth" in your position. Because Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clintons policies were actually very close in nature, why SHOULDN"T black people choose Mr. Obama over Mrs. Clinton? Is it your position that because Bill Clinton was so popular with African American voters that that loyalty should simply be transferred to his wife? That's ridiculous! The only way your point would make any sense at all is if African Americans were willing to vote for a Republican - just because he or she was black - policy issues be damned.
You guys are shooting the messenger. Hillary would get an overwhelming percentage of the black vote in a general election. If in the primaries the black vote went 55-45 for Obama over Hillary, you would have a case, but not 90-10. That's why we do not now have Hillary facing McCain. Hillary voters are not dumb; many think Hillary was the victim of sexism (and racism, although they cannot say that) and may see the best future for Hillary is to run in 2012 against McCain (or perhaps Palin if she is as much of a lightweight as the commenters on this site seem to think.)
Or, it could be that Black voters decided that Obama would be a great president, and voted for him. It seemed to me that the people voting based on blind allegiance to a group were that small group of over-the-top Hillary supporters. I hope these same people won't be duped by McCain-Palin. Anyone who believes in the policies that Hillary and Bill Clinton have fought for their entire political lives can't possibly be okay with a vote for McCain, and, to an even greater degree, for Palin.
Gore also received 90% of the black vote. Did it ever cross your mind that maybe, just maybe African American voters vote for Democratic candidates?
Bill Clinton is and has always been a white man, he is not black. Ask Anyone.
Google Toni Morrison and Bill Clinton and learn.
Let's not forget about Jimmy Carter who did not get a majority of the white vote. The overwhelmingly Democratic black vote made the difference.
Excuse me. When the race began black voters streamed to Hillary Clinton thinking that no one would really get behind Barack. I didn't vote for Hillary Clinton because she was triangulating, voted for the Iraq war, cluster bombs, the Kyl/Lieberman amendment (during the primaries) which would be the first step in giving the President authority to meddle in Iran and lastly because she lied and she started running a dirty campaign when she couldn't win against Barack. Which, if you pay attention, is the same campaign that McCain/Palin are trying to run, except they are just plagiarizing Democratic platforms on the issues.
I did not vote for a "black" candidate (he's half white anyway) but I voted on someone I believe has the knowledge and the judgment to become the next President of the United States of America. Oh and I am a white woman.
When roughly half of Democrats vote for Hillary and half for Obama, but 90% of blacks vote for Obama, blacks are voting on race. It is statistically impossible (to an astronomical confidence level) for there to be any other explanation. So don't be surprised if sex trumps politics for a substantial number of (non-ideologic) women.
The Palin pick has brought in droves of women in our area to volunteer for the Obama campaign. The phone is ringing off the hook at our Democratic Headquarters. Women want to make sure that she isn't a heartbeat away from the Presidency! Even educated Republicans are rallying against Palin.
Do what you can...donate, volunteer and vote! Obama/Biden '08
http://www.voteforchange.com/index_obama.php?source=091008emailR
LOL
Find a local campaign office through this link http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/statepages
Lolol--cool! And you're in a deep red state at that.
I find it interesting that everyone wants women to organize to show that we will not just fall in line due to gender - but where was all the outrage and the calls for organization when HRC was constantly bombarded by sexist comments? You people are total hypocrites.
Nice non sequitur.
If you fail to follow the logic, it's probably because you live in a cave.
I don't know where you were but my email box was FILLED with stuff from my women friends supporting Mrs. Clinton. The campaign itself solicited a lot of money on the back of the media sexism - and rightly so, I thought. Her surprise win in New Hampshire was interpreted as a backlash against the sexism, as I recall.
Yes and they were all HRC supporters. Did any Obama supporters try to organize to stem the tide against the sexist comments made about HRC? Did any members of the DNC protest the sexism in the media?
there were many O supporters against the sexism, but many, including myself, were very much turned off by Hill's extremely negative campaign toward O, that we weren't about to go defending her. her supporters seem to be oblivious to the absolute garbage that was coming from their side. apparently they believe that Hill's excrement carries no offensive odor.
Seriously, where was everyone win Hillary was facing similar sexism?!?
ENOUGH!!! This is not only about sexism. This is about a woman who is not qualified to be VP. Women can argue over sexism but the real issue is--is she qualified. The Republicans are using Palin as a distraction to avoid discussing the issues. Anger women with sexism comments and watch them flock to the McCain ticket. Are women willing to cast an emotional vote for someone who does not share their concerns due to she is a woman?
You don't see people from the McCain party running to the Obama camp because of racism. Voting for Palin is the republican’s strategy; in an attempt to use sexism to divide people. Palin made the comment that she felt bad she could not support a woman and that she did not like Clinton’s whining. It appears Palin does not vote by gender and believes Clinton’s comments regarding sexism was whining. Nonetheless, Hillary supporters and other women are flocking to Palin because she is a woman who has experienced sexism.
How are Americans going to deal with Middle East leaders who have no respect for women? Are Americans going to bomb a country because their leaders disrespected a woman from the United States?
Women voting for Palin for the reason that she is a woman or against sexist remarks are doing a disservice to this country and the future of their children and grandchildren.
All the women I know are insulted by the Palin pick. However, all the women I know are informed voters. The question I have is: what about the uniformed voters that would not vote for her if they understood her and John McCain's positions?
Barack Obama is such a brilliant leader. I have not seen many false steps in his organization. He is articulate and well read on all the issues. He is a moderate, practical politician. I hope he gets a chance to lead this country.
What has he exactly lead? Moderate? Not so much.
Lead is a heavy metal. Is that what you meant?
INDmind,
If you took some time to look at Obama's record and read his second book which was all about his political philosophy you would know he is a moderate pragmatist.
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