Tag Archives: leveling the playing field in politics

Women of the Year – The Grit To Persist

I’m a big believer in proclaiming “Women of the Year.” I believe in identifying positive role models to give us Hillary Clinton all something to aspire to.

It also helps to give us hope when some of our goals….such as electing a woman to the White House… seem, at times, to recede before us, like those refracted heat waves that appear to form shapes, then vanish in the desert, leaving us wondering where is our palm lined pool of shimmering water? Nothing but miles and miles of dry, hot desert when it comes to women’s presidential aspirations. But, better to light a candle than curse the darkness. The candles women have lit and carried in the past year, or a bit over in one case, include some of the following outstanding women:

The New York Daily News named their New Yorker of the Year saying: “Hillary Clinton proved a woman of resolve and class.”

We couldn’t agree more. And she did a lot more than that. She made it more feasible for a woman to run for President of the United States, and she upped the ante for contenders to 18 million votes. But Clinton’s skills as a campaigner, we predict, will be overshadowed by her skills as a serious decision maker and global negotiator. I, for one, am heartened and relieved that , at least, the second phone call which comes in at 3am will be to Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

I don’t believe in “book-ending” Governor Sarah Palin with Clinton, but neither do I believe in ignoring her plucky candidacy. She was called on and she took up the challenge, energizing her party and becoming a celebrity in the process. Common wisdom has it that she made Tina Fey a bigger celebrity in the process as well with her Saturday Night caricatures of Palin. I don’t deny those caricatures were fun, of a type, but I will find them a lot funnier when we actually do have a woman in the White House.

I think we should give Queen Elizabeth of England some appreciation if, for nothing else, endurance. She fills that classic requirement: 50% of winning is “just showing up for the job”. Queen Elizabeth has shown up for over 50 years, if you only count the years since her coronation. ( She also, for example, presided over public events and, during the war, trained as a driver and mechanic, and drove a military truck making her the first, and so far only, female member of the Royal Family to actively serve in the armed forces.)

I met Benazir Bhutto in San Francisco in 2001, I believe. Although there was some controversy surrounding her I always admired her and found her speaking inspiring. “Bhutto was the first woman elected to lead a Muslim state,^[5] having twice been Prime Minister of Pakistan (1988–1990; 1993–1996). She was Pakistan‘s first and to date only female prime minister. She went into self-imposed exile in Dubai in 1998.

Bhutto returned to Pakistan on 18 October 2007, and was assassinated on 27 December 2007, after departing a PPP rally in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, two weeks before the scheduled Pakistani general election of 2008 where she was a leading opposition candidate. The following year she was named one of seven winners of the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights.

I think Bhutto provides another example of a woman persisting in her beliefs and showing up in the face of personal danger. Although she died a few days before 2008, it is now time to mark the anniversary of her violent death. I salute her and say farewell.

I know there are many, many more women who should be saluted and honored in 2008.

I would nominate all the women who worked so hard for their candidates in 2008.

I would nominate all the mothers and daughters and wives who worked to maintain their families and those who lost loved ones in national service in conflicts abroad.

I would nominate all of us who have persevered, despite an unlevel playing field and personal challenges.

I suspect that might be all of us.

If you have women you think should be named women of the year, please do write and share with us who they are.

Money & Politics – Picking A Celebrity Senator?

A lot of women and women’s rights groups would like to see a woman picked for Hillary Clinton’s New York Senate Seat. After all, only 16 of 100 Senate members are women. Having one of them picked for Secretary of State would be ironic and bitter sweet if it caused our ranks and representation to go down even lower in Congress. So there is a great rallying cry among women’s groups to pick a woman for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.

But will it happen? And which woman?

There are some good ones out there.

Two names which have been floated are scrappy and talented upstate Albany-area Congresswoman Kirstin Gillibrand and Nydia Velazquez, described as “a twofer,” since she is a woman and a Hispanic. But they are less well known, so might best be described as “dark horses”.

Two national women’s groups have urged Democratic New York.Governor David Paterson to name Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Time Magazine has called Maloney a “tenacious, resilient legislator.” The Village Voice characterized her as “a tiger in the House on every dollar due New York.” Maloney is both an advocate for women and strong on the economy which she has made her specialty.

Maloney is not only articulate and effective but women believe “she gets it.” In 2008, Maloney published a book on women’s issues entitled “Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Why Women’s Lives Aren’t Getting Any Easier — and How We Can Make Real Progress for Ourselves and Our Daughters“ In the book, Maloney argues that progress for women has stalled and offers recommendations for resuming their advance toward full equality^.

But whoa!

There seem to be an evergrowing number of wanna be’s out there. Actress Fran Drescher, The Nanny, wants the appointment. Yes, really. And some find her very politically savvy and committed.

And Caroline Kennedy………iconic daughter of legendary Camelot star couple, JFK and Jackie, niece of former N.Y. Senator Bobby Kennedy, who held the same seat……gave the Guv a call and discussed the position, although no one is at liberty to repeat what was said.

But it did get all the politicos and their followers’ attention. A political acquaintance of mine, male, has invited me to a new Facebook group, sporting a photo of Caroline Kennedy with the caption splashed across it, “Entitlement we can believe in,”

“The woman has never run for office in her life. We have no idea how she’d fare on the campaign trail, or how well she could stand up to the electoral process. She simply picks up the phone and lets it be known that she just might be up for having one of the highest offices in the land handed to her because — well, because why? Because her uncle once held the seat? Because she’s a Kennedy? Because she took part as a child in the public’s romantic dreams of Camelot? I’m not quite sure…”

Senator Ted Kennedy, her uncle, is said to be feverishly working the phones for her, hoping to continue the family dynasty. ( See article below.) And many of us are very empathetic with the Kennedy’s magical, often inspiring but tragic past. But is that enough of a foundation to be appointed Senator?

Another with his hat in the ring: Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who served as the Clinton administration’s secretary of Housing and Urban Development and who, apparently seeks to carry on his own family’s political dynasty. ( There’s a bit of a family feud between ex-inlaws Kennedy and Cuomo, but that’s another story. I thought I’d give you a heads up because all the gory details are bound to hit the blogs, or, at least the tabloids).

According to Time magazine:”A Dec. 9 Marist poll found that 25% of New York residents think Paterson should pick Kennedy vs. 25% favoring Andrew Cuomo, with the rest either divided among other candidates or “unsure.”

Also, longtime city teachers union President Randi Weingarten recently contacted Gov. Paterson about the seat and the Governor said he would consider Weingarten as well. So he has a lot to think about.

But here’s the rub: whoever takes Clinton’s seat would have to face voters in 2010, to fill out Clinton’s term, and again in 2012, for re-election. That means, almost from the day he or she enters office he or she will have to start running…..and running and running…. and raising lots of very big bucks.

So, all things considered, it appears that money, the ability to raise it, monied connections and being linked into deep pockets and piles of money are going to weigh heavily on the scales of who is the best Senate selection for New York .

Who do we think will best meet that criteria?

Is the richest hopeful really the one most credentialed to hold office….. considering that one of the credentials appears to be money? Stay tuned.

Edward Kennedy helps niece Caroline to join senate

Ted Kennedy Boosts Caroline’s Senate Bid

Women Angry Over Treatment of Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin in Campaigns

When young men shout out from the audience “Iron My Shirt”, Tee shirts identify female presidential candidates as the C word, and large, respected magazines run articles titled ” The “Bitch” and the “Ditz””, referring to Clinton and Palin, what can one expect but a lot of anger and resentment from women, expressed or not?

As noted, “The heightened perceptions of how women were treated this cycle just may drive more votes by women for women next time around.”

New poll reveals the depth of women’s anger in the aftermath of Hillary Clinton’s and Sarah Palin’s campaigns.

The Barrier That Didn’t Fall – The Daily Beast suggest American women overwhelmingly believe they are being treated unfairly in the press, in the workplace, in politics, and in the armed forces, according to a poll by The Daily Beast of 1,000 U.S. voters. The poll comes on the heels of the first-ever presidential election with two high profile women candidates who ran but did not win.

For a race that was supposed to have broken the glass ceiling, it may just have shown women how hard and resistant that barrier really is. The poll, conducted for The Daily Beast by Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, clearly documents what most casual observers identified as relatively favorable press treatment for male candidates like Obama and Biden versus an “anything goes” approach against the women running for office. In fact, the poll—which covered topics ranging from coverage of women’s appearances to the parodies of candidates on Saturday Night Live—shows sweeping skepticism about how women are viewed culturally, politically and in the workplace. Though women did not vote in large enough numbers for Sarah Palin’s side to prevail, they remain convinced she was not treated fairly by the media, and judged her treatment far harsher than even what Hillary Clinton received.

The poll’s key findings include:

By an overwhelming 61% to 19% margin, women believe there is a gender bias in the media.

4 in 10 men freely admit sexist attitudes towards a female president. 39% of men say that a male is “naturally more suited” to carrying out the duties of the office

Only 20% of women are willing to use the word “feminist” about themselves. Only 17% of all voters said they would welcome their daughters using that label.

48% of women thought Hillary Clinton received fair media treatment and only 29% believed Sarah Palin was treated fairly. In contrast, nearly 8 in 10 voters thought the press gave fair treatment to Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

More than two-thirds of women said they were being treated unfairly in the workplace (68%)

The race appears to have crystallized attitudes among women that they face discrimination in almost all areas of private and public life. Women over 50, the first generation to have a majority in the workforce, see far more discrimination in every area of life than younger women. And when it comes to the armed forces, the poll shows a similar pattern of older and higher income women reporting the highest levels of discrimination against them. About 72% of women that they were being treated unfairly in politics—a perception that Hillary Clinton’s appointment as secretary of state, the third woman in that position, would likely do little to assuage.

For the entire article, go to The Barrier That Didn’t Fall – The Daily Beast.

Obama, Are You Listening? It’s Time For Parity For Women In The Cabinet

Lynette Long: PARITY IN THE CABINET???.

After the turmoil of the 2008 primaries and election, as the dust is settling, there appears to be a new movement afoot of activism on behalf of parity for women in all areas, but particularly representation in government. Many believe that women will never achieve a “level playing field” until we have 50% women represented in the three branches of goverment. A good place to start, in the view of the esteemed Dr. Lynette Long, is with representation in the Cabinet over which incoming President Barack Obama has full control. Dr. Long challenges Obama to select 50% females for his cabinet.

In PARITY IN THE CABINET???, Lynnette Long discusses this goal in depth:

“The current cabinet of the United States is attended by the President, fifteen Cabinet Members, and six cabinet level administrative offices that includes the Vice-President and the White House Chief of Staff for a total of 22 members. The Bush Cabinet has four women: Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State, Elaine Chao as Secretary of Labor, Mary Peters as Secretary of Transportation, and Margaret Spellings as Secretary of Education. In addition Susan Schwab has Cabinet level rank as United States Trade Secretary. Out of the 22 people that attend cabinet meetings, The President, the Vice-President, the Cabinet, and the Cabinet level administrative offices, five are currently women, which is 23%. Will President-Elect Obama appoint more women to his cabinet than President Bush? I am starting a cabinet watch. Help me. I would like to see 50% of the female cabinet women. I am starting a cabinet watch. As the cabinet members become appointed I will color the titles blue or pink. Please lobby the Obama campaign for more women in the cabinet. Call his office at 202-224-2854. Thanks.”

· The President

· Secretary of State

· Secretary of the Treasury

· Secretary of Defense

· Attorney General

· Secretary of the Interior

· Secretary of Agriculture

· Secretary of Commerce

· Secretary of Labor

· Secretary of Health and Human Services

· Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

· Secretary of Transportation

· Secretary of Energy

· Secretary of Education

· Secretary of Veterans Affairs

· Secretary of Homeland Security

Cabinet-level administration offices · Vice President of the United States
· White House Chief of Staff
· Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
· Director of the Office of Management and Budget
· Director of the National Drug Control Policy
· United States Trade Representative

“The Most Macho Speech of the Evening” : The New Agenda

“The Most Macho Speech of the Evening” : The New Agenda.

“That’s what one of the CNN people called Sarah Palin’s speech at the Republican National Convention tonight, and Amy Holmes, a conservative commenter for CNN said, She balanced toughness and femininity very well—something Hillary Clinton got a lot of flack for.

It’s clear from the above comments that gender is still a central issue in the campaign.

What struck me as notable tonight was my impression that she could be right here in my living room, talking to me (in fact, her accent reminds me of my Aunt Linda) and, as Anderson Cooper noted on CNN, talking to small town America was the thing that won George Bush the White House.

Average Americans will listen to her and feel like they know her, and in a way they do—she’s our neighbour, our sister, or the woman we chat with when we’re in line at the post office. We get Sarah Palin. She’s one of us. And she’s sharp, too. The speech had some funny lines. My favorite: That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.

It was a great introduction to Sarah Palin as a Vice Presidential candidate.”

One of AdvancingWomen’s favorite lines was “What is the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Answer: Lipstick.

Which brings to mind Eleanor Roosevelt’s famous saying: ” A woman is like a tea bag. You don’t know how strong she is until she’s dropped in hot water.”

Another noteworthy comment was McCain’s observation, regarding Sen. Obama’s claim that he had more experience than Palin: “Sarah Palin has 24,000 employees in the state government” and was “responsible for 20 percent of the nation’s energy supply.” He added that he was entertained by the comparison of her experience to that of Mr. Obama and that “I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America.”

Sexism & Sarah Palin – WomenCount || Blog

Sexism & Sarah Palin – WomenCount || Blog.

“It started Friday afternoon with John Roberts on CNN, and then in a slow build over the weekend it became clear what the leading sexist charge would be against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: Is it appropriate for her to accept the vice presidential nomination given the magnitude of her current family responsibilities? …

The obvious retort is whether anyone would ask the same question of the father of a four-month-old with Down Syndrome and a pregnant teenager. We think not.

Stamping out sexism is about shifting the culture. It will be good for America to watch Sarah Palin on the campaign trail – bouncing from parenting to politics. That’s how most women function – multi-tasking, leaning on friends and family, and waking up each morning and doing it all again.”

AdvancingWomen.com thinks the media should stand down from their sexist harassment and disparagement of VP Nominee Sarah Palin. We are in complete agreement with WomenCount that “It is important to distinguish between the broader issue of sexism and the ideology of an individual.” It is irrelevant whether Palin is conservative or progressive on social issues and values. This is America. Palin has every right to put forth her candidacy and make her case. Whether we choose to vote for her or not is each person’s choice. But it should be every woman’s choice to defend Palin’s right to take the public stage and not have to endure a barrage of sexist criticism and gender biased innuendo. Until the day comes when a women can enter the political arena and participate on a level playing field, every woman should say “What they did to Hillary Clinton, what they are doing to Sarah Palin, they do to me as well.” So, to those in the media who, like Rip Van Winkle, may have slept through the women’s movement, wake up! Time to move on and be fair to all of us.

THE NEW AGENDA to Serve as Watch Dog for Women Candidates

The New Agenda (www.thenewagenda.net), a non-partisan women’s rights advocacy group with men and women members nationwide, recognizes the history making selection of Governor Sarah Palin as Senator John McCain’s running mate. As Governor Palin hits the campaign trail, The New Agenda members will serve as watch dogs monitoring news coverage and statements by political pundits, campaign surrogates and other commentators for any sexist bias.

“We cannot and will not sit idly by while another qualified candidate goes through what Senator Hillary Clinton had to endure. Issues are fair game. Sexist treatment is no longer fair game,” said Amy Siskind, a co-founder of The New Agenda.

The New Agenda members are monitoring the airwaves, blogs, and print reports for derogatory language, misogynist attacks, and denigrating statements. The New Agenda will respond swiftly against any perpetrators of such attacks.

“Our members were outraged that within 24 hours of Governor Palin’s historic candidacy she was dismissed as “tokenism,” she was referred to as a “MILF” (mother I’d like to f*uck), and chuckling male commentators said:” The only thing she didn’t say was who needs some pie I baked this morning?” added Siskind.

The New Agenda members are committed to promoting women’s leadership and ensuring that women candidates are treated with the respect they deserve. We are confident that the media, the campaigns, and campaign surrogates can turn this historic election into one we can look back on with pride.

For more information contact:

newagendapress@yahoo.com

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