Reminder To PUMAs: Biden Is Longtime Advocate For Women

As Sen. Barack Obama prepares to announce Sen. Joe Biden as his choice for Vice President, pundits are examining Biden's record and lauding his foreign policy experience in particular. Certainly, his experience and resume' is complete and his foreign policy credentials are significant.

However, Sen. Biden's most significant legislative accomplishment was probably the passage in 1994 of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Sen. Biden was the original sponsor and architect of this landmark legislation, which has saved countless lives since its adoption.

VAWA is the most comprehensive federal legislation addressing domestic violence that has been adopted in the history of our nation. In addition to establishing stiffer penalties for gender-related violence, VAWA established the National Domestic Violence Hotline, provided grants to law enforcement and prosecuting agencies, and provides essential funding to Domestic Violence Shelters across the nation.

Sen. Biden's commitment to this issue has remained steadfast even as he expanded his Congressional responsibilities as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He authored the reauthorization of VAWA in 2000, and included a comprehensive plan to end domestic violence in his platform while running for President during this past year. Sen. Biden even took to the pages of the Huffington Post last October to express his support and leadership on this important issue.

In my career advocating on behalf of children and in support of policies that prevent child abuse and other forms of family violence, it is extremely rare to find a legislator who is willing to make such issues a priority. Sen. Biden is the rare exception who does more than offer rhetorical comments about the value of families and our children; he has actually taken action and gotten results.

As reports circulate that supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton may be disruptive during the upcoming convention due to their frustration that Sen. Clinton was not chosen to be on the ticket, I hope that the PUMAs will pause and consider the consequences of their actions. Sen. Biden brings a wealth of experience and a sincere commitment and track record of leadership on issues affecting women. That record should be appreciated -- not criticized in a knee-jerk reaction due to the frustration of Sen. Clinton's loss.

Here's the choice: (a) support Barack Obama and his VP Joe Biden who authored the Violence Against Women Act; or (b) support John McCain, whose former press secretary during the NH primary was arrested for violating the Violence Against Women Act.

To me, the answer is pretty clear.

Follow Jim McKay on Twitter: www.twitter.com/wabisabi

Comments

[GaiusLucilius]

John McCain did not support equal pay for equal work in 2008, saying that women needed "more training and education" to compete with men WHO HAVE YEARS LESS SENIORITY AND LESS EXPERIENCE AT THE SAME WORKPLACE! Google "Lilly Ledbetter"(the woman who brought the case to trial) or "John McCain "more training and education" " for more
He also said that he wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
He called his wife a c*nt at the press conference.

Biden tries to help women, spending time crafting legislation. McCain tries to get women to be like Stepford Cindy.

I am a feminist (I use the word!) and I do NOT approve John McCain's messages.

[HumanRightsActivist]

Senator Joe Biden claims that the Violence against Women Act is the greatest achievement of his career. As a result of this legislation, the federal government pays states to create laws effectively requiring that innocent men be removed from their homes and families without even an allegation of violence, with no legitimate standards of evidence, when a woman makes a claim that she is afraid.

Elaine Epstein, president of the Massachusetts Bar Association (1999), has said "the facts have become irrelevant... restraining orders are granted to virtually all who apply. Regarding divorce cases, she states "allegations of abuse are now used for tactical advantage". According to Epstein, who is also a former president of the Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association, restraining orders are doled out "like candy" and "in virtually all cases, no notice, meaningful hearing, or impartial weighing of evidence is to be had." Cathy Young reports on the Elaine Epstein quote and the broader issue at Salon.com here:

http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1999/10/25/restraining_orders/

This report from RADAR (Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting) provides much insight into the situation brought about, in large part, by Joe Biden.

http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/RADARreport-VAWA-A-Culture-of-False-Allegations.pdf

State restraining order laws are starting to fall because they're unconstitutional. The federal law behind them, written by Joe Biden, is likely to fall as well, not because it isn’t popular, but because it is clearly unconstitutional.

[Bronxcutie]

This New Yorker will NEVER, EVER vote for Hillary Clinton again if PUMA's ruin this for Sen. Obama. As a woman, I am APPALLED that a woman would vote for a man who voted against equal pay for women and who is against a woman's right to choose. John McCain has a HORRIBLE voting record on women's issues AND ironically veterans issues. That is NOT the type of President I want. He is NOT entitled to the Presidency because he was a POW or because he has experience. John McCain is 72 years old. Of course he would have more experience than Senator Obama! LMAO!

[kaygee]

Disenchanted Democrats are not voting on platform. You can use all the platform arguments you want. They only reinforce the fact that Obama won with all those vague speeches he made while Clinton was talking platform. In the same way, the "largesse" he is showing by letting Florida and Michigan have all their votes --- NOW THAT HE HAS NAILED THE NOMINATION BEFORE THE ROLL CALL -- only serves to remind already alienated voters of how UNDEMOCRATIC the process was. There are no right options for Mr. Obama. The unification of the Democratic Party will not occur before the election.

[Mildmannered]

This is a "no brainer" (or am I asking too much?).

[bastard of young]

OxamsRazor,

I'm also surprised at the backlash among Clinton supporters toward Biden. I mean if we are looking at Washington experience as the top qualification for the job of President (an argument McCain is making now and Clinton herself made during the primaries), then Biden is clearly a better VP choice than Clinton on merit. I guess they're saying that's not important now and interest group politics should always be the main force in Democratic party politics. And look where that's gotten the party in the last 35 years.

If things had gone the other way in the primary, I'd have licked my wounds for a month, but then I'd be uniting behind Clinton now because that is the only choice for someone who believes in what Clinton and Obama do.

This is the first time since 1976 without a Bush or a Clinton on a national ticket for President. I guess Democracy finally won out over dueling monarchies.

[bastard of young]

Hey Dahlenu, I think the 25% of Clinton voters not supporting Obama is deceiving. A lot of registered Dems vote Democratic locally, but have been voting Republican for President since Reagan. Exit polls from the primaries confirmed this. In a lot of states 10-15% of the Clinton voters said they'd vote for McCain over her in the general election. They turned out in the primary to cast their votes for the candidate they hated they least - Hillary. So it's not surprising that a significant % of Clinton voters aren't backing Obama. They weren't "Clinton voters" and just had a chance to pick their least worst option in the Democratic primary.

I think Obama would like to get this 25% down to about 15% if possible.

I hoping it'd be a surprise like Gore, but I like Biden. He's from Scranton and he's Catholic and appeals to older voters, so hopefully that will put PA from "toss up" into "strongly leaning Obama" column. And his blue-collar and Catholic roots may help in OH and upper midwest. And he being older and a Catholic may even help in the states with Seniors and large Latino populations like the Southwest and Florida. Really, Biden was the best choice of someone who was not Hillary and wouldn't bring the Clinton baggage, but also appeals to much of her core constituences - seniors, latinos, working class whites. Older white women are the demo's that Obama needs to improve upon in the next 2 months.

[dora rice]

I myself lived very good in the 90's when Bill was president, and I am still today picking the fruits from that decade. . Jobs were easy to get. Employers competed for employees with high salaries. I traveled overseas with my head up high, and the american flag emblem on my windbreaker sleeve. I was respected overseas. I don't know what you all did in the 90's. Where you sleeping? Where you still in school and didn't give a damm who was president. Who knows, otherwise you could never spew such hate against the Clintons. Now I know that the Bush years made anyone bitter . Having said that, some of you morons even voted for him. To transfer this hate on to the Clintons, gives a good glimpseinto the american mind. The Germans have Mrs. Merkel, the UK had Thatcher, Israel had Goldie Mair, India had women presidents, but there is nothing more intimitating to the american mind then a strong woman. The reason is the social make up of the US. Because after all, american women are being paid less then men, for the same job. American housewifes have to depend on their husbands to provide for their healtinsurance , which is unthinkable in most other industrial nations. Many american wifes only enriched themselves by getting a divorce. It only has been 2 decades that some american women finally reach the financial big top. Although there is still a lot of intimitation going on, especially in the lower

[GaiusLucilius]

McCain this year opposed a bill which would have supported equal pay for men and women. Google "Lilly Ledbetter." I don't know why there isn't a huge ad buy publicizing McCain's position on this. I would get ads all over in Oxygen Network and during Oprah and Dr. Phil.
The Supreme Court, by 5-4, denied her right to sue for earning thousands less per annum than men with less experience and seniority at her place of employment, Goodyear Tires. The court claimed that the statute of limitations had run out, because she didn't sue when the pay discrepancy first came up. Never mind that it had run out because she didn't know at the time that the pay discrepancy existed. She only happened to discover it at the end of a 19-year career with the company.
McCain said that women should not have access to lawsuits for solving their problems. Instead, he said, they should get "more training" to become as good as men. What the heck?
No Badyear Tires for me. No McCain, either.

[sunnyokanagan]

I can feel the pain of those who, heart and soul, supported - and still support - Hillary Clinton. But those who now say they will vote for McCain because Clinton was not chosen, either as Nominee or as VP, are surely acting foolish.

To petulantly, and for no good reason other than an unbelievably selfish protest, cast the Nation back into the hands of the Republicans is the most self-defeating, wrong-headed thing they could possibly do.

Why, oh why would these people want to continue the pillage of the Country by that elite and evil cadre of "New American Centurians"?

[Monrocsol]

I have nothing against Senator Biden.

This Democrat will be voting for McCain.

[nannagal]

Any of these disgruntled Clinton supporters who are going to vote for McCain because "she was dissed", or because they feel women have been marginalized by Obama's campaign better wake up and smell the "Male Chauvinist Pig" that is John McCain. To say nothing about his Mid-evil policies taking us to neoconland in the 18th century, he is the pro-lifer and war mongering Bush/Cheney supporter who voted for Bush's policies 95 percent of the time. Those policies have "dissed" women more than Obama ever could. Also, don't forget, McCain called is own wife a c*nt in front of reporters years ago, and also, as recently as weeks ago told a right wing bikers audience Cindy would make a good contestant for their "Miss Buffalo Chips" contest, bananas and wet t-shirts included! Vote for McCain because he "dissed" Hillary? Cut off your stupid nose to spite your face.

[DivergentMary]

Verrrrry interesting. Is that your coded way of confirming that you are a ra cist?

[dahlenu]

I'm totally flabbergasted that around 25% or Hillary supporters say they will vote for McCain. It's beyond stupidity. They are saying that if they can't get 100% of what they want, only 95%, they'll opt for an option that will get them 5% instead?

[Monrocsol]

I am sorry that you are flabbergasted, but yes, I will not vote for Obama.

McCain will get my vote.

[OxamsRazor]

I have to admit: I am DISGUSTED by the 'backlash' by Hillary supporters over Biden. Biden is a decent, hardworking man. He's time tested, and respected GLOBALLY. EVERYONE likes this guy. Even Republicans respect him.

To accuse Biden of being 'more of the same' is beyond laughable. Biden is hardly a typical Washington crony. Believe me, if there were more people in Washington like Biden, this world would be a much safer place.

Stop being childish. A Washington insider is not someone who has been there a long time or who has worked there a long time. It's someone who puts special interest groups ahead of the betterment of the nation. (You know, like when HRC held closed door meetings with insurance companies when she was doing her health care song and dance. That kind of thing.)

Dennis Kusinich has been in Washinton a long time. Would you consider him an 'insider' and 'more of the same'? What about Ron Paul? Do his ideas sound 'same old, same old'?

Is Biden perfect? Is anyone?

Obama and Clinton share 95% of the same values. Obama and McCain are NOTHING alike. They have vastly different views of the world, women's rights, health care, economic fairness, taxation, and war policies. If you can't see that, then you're beyond being hopeless and I fail to understand how you can call yourself progressive, liberal, or Democratic.

Take of the tiara's drama queens. It's time to suck it up, and vote on the issues.

[riverhouse]

Good post. BIden is a jewel of an advocate for women. He's done far more than H*R*C. He's produced legislation and lived the life, not just talked it.

[curocat]

DITTO....

[Monrocsol]

My tiara is off, and I am ready to cast my vote to McCain!

[Womanvoter4Obama]

Hillary supporters that get it are voting for Obama. Those who want to "hurt" the Democratic party because their candidate LOST don't and they will vote against their own interests and the interests of their children to prove they are "right" and well..you reap what you sow. We live in America and this is their right. I don't agree. I think it's stupid but if this is the catharsis they need then cool. But Obama CAN win without them. Hillary will have a harder time her next time out because of her antics in this election. I know I won't forget them and I know she will have to work hard to get my vote. I won't say she won't get it..because unlike Hill fans I have an open mind and will not vote against my interest no matter how pissed I am at Hillary for her disrespectful actions in 2008.

[Cobob22]

You can talk talk talk all you want and give all the so called excuses you want, however, we know Hillary was snubbed, we know why she was snubbed (I won't bring up why because each time I have the comment was deleted) and in no way is Biden a substitute. He's run for Pres before and nobody wanted him then.

[YankeeCanuck]

HRC is impressive, intelligent. But she scotched her chances by listening to Mark Penn whispering campaign tactics in her ear. Tactics, not strategy-- a short term gain.
A year ago it was a coronation for HRC. Many things went wrong.
No one needs to apologize or make "excuses" for the choice. It was rational and it was the candidate's decision to make.

[FindlayDemocrat]

Hillary has already lost any chance to be president, ever.

[clsmithj]

I whole heartedly agree. You Hillfringe­rs/PUMAs(r­acists)/Re­publicans are doing your gal a huge dis-service if she's to ever run for re-election.

Now I give hillary an open slot for 2024, after Obama and Biden have filled their term as president. :)

[conscioushope]

You are correct in that Biden is no substitute!

He is his own person and nothing so unimportant as anyone's "substitute"!

GOBAMA/GOJOE!!!!!!

Hill is outta our minds~~~ and over the "hill".
And of her own making. No one to blame but she, her and herself, well maybe bill.

[gifu]

Break through YOUR illusions that lead to YOUR sense of alienation, lady. There are more people in this country who get the shaft everyday then 2008 Hillary supporters. Can you see beyond YOUR own self interests?

[WFV]

She lost, remember? She wasn't chosen because she wasn't the right fit.

GET OVER IT.

[WFV]

Wholand?

[BlueBoomer]

I'm glad someone is finally making this point... We have a REAL champion in Joe Biden.

The only problem I see personally with his selection is that as a HUGE BIDEN FAN, I'm liable to drive my significant other crazy (he's almost like the "other man" in our relationship!)... But I must say, I WOULD love to be stranded on a desert island with him, VP or not!...Finally I'm excited by the presidential campaign again!