Will 2010 Be the Year of the Woman?
By Skyla Freeman | 6.23.2010
It’s a good time to be a conservative woman, possibly the best in almost a century. Since 1917 when the first female representative, a Republican, was elected, the days of ground-breaking collaboration between women and the GOP have gone downhill. Democrat women have slowly but steadily grown their numbers in national office, while Republican women remain the minority’s minority: in the House, a mere 17 of the 73 female representatives are female. It’s even more dismal in the Senate, where only four conservative women hold office. In recent years, commentators and pundits have spilled a lot of ink to analyzing what went wrong. Now it’s time to talk about what’s going right.
The number of female conservative candidates in 2010, the highest ever, promises to change the landscape of American politics. One of the major reasons for this increase is Sarah Palin. Just as Geraldine Ferarro’s candidacy in 1984 emboldened Democrat women to seek office, Palin’s run proved that Republican women could stand their ground on a national ticket. And it helps that, despite a lack of initiative by the RNC in recent years, Republicans have a small but solid foundation to build on. The Bush Administration was a quiet champion of female empowerment; the 43rd President appointed more women to his cabinet than any previous president, and four of those appointments were firsts for women.
But as Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List observed, Sarah Palin “is the wind in the sails for this election cycle,” influencing the high number of women who have chosen to throw their hats in the political ring. And her encouragement of female candidates, particularly in the smaller races, is crucial. National candidacy begins at the local level, and it as at the local and state levels that support, funding, and encouragement have been most lacking. That’s one of the reasons why Project GOPink’s work is critical; even with fair winds, the election process is challenging. Inspiring conservative women to run, and providing them with training and resources, can make the difference between sinking and swimming.
Palin, as an inspirational figure, has encouraged many women to run for office this year. Win or lose, that’s good for the party. But the more women who run and succeed in local and state elections, the greater our future impact will be. More female city mayors and state representatives now means more representatives, senators, governors – and presidents – in our future.
****
Skyla Freeman (http://skylafreeman.com/) is a writer, speechwriter, and blogger passionate about culture, politics, and women’s issues. She is a four-year veteran of the White House, where she served as a writer for President George W. Bush.
GOP women: Some tough mothers
by Russ Vaughn – American Thinker
I am one of those conservatives who has pretty much maintained an arm’s length from Sarah Palin since Mc Lame first brought her to the forefront of the political scene. Although initially wary, but admittedly impressed with her performance in the 2008 campaign, which in my opinion was the only bright spot of said campaign, I have begun to pay more attention to this irrepressible, remarkable woman and I must confess: I’m impressed.
I just watched her vis a vis Bill O’Reilly following the One’s pronouncements on the oil spill, you know, where the Big O addresses the Big O, and let me tell you my immediate impression. Put aside Greta Van Susteren’s recent impertinent question to the governor as to whether she’s had breast implants. What is overwhelmingly obvious is that this is a woman who possesses a more common-sense intellect and bigger cojones than O’Reilly, Obama and any other male power figure I can name.
Actually, I’ve been intrigued ever since I read the characterization during the past presidential campaign by some liberal twit who referred to Ms. Palin as every schoolboy’s fantasy of the naughty librarian. Now I gotta tell you, I’m a few decades beyond schoolboy fantasies but that observation did inspire a few old codger fantasies around the country, Take it from one.
My wife, reading over my shoulder, just accused me of being sexist. Hogwash! I’m saying our conservative women seeking political office not only tend to be one helluva lot better looking than the broad-beamed, thunder-thighed feminist candidates the Dems, Libs and Fems put forth, they’re tougher than the Democrat’s male candidates as well.
In this increasingly feminized, liberal society, I have a suggested slogan for the Republican National Committee:
Republican Women: some tough mothers who know what asses to kick!
Are You Ready to Speak Out, America?
as posted on pajamasmedia.com, May 25, 2010 – by Cathy McMorris Rodgers
With the country at a crossroads, today House Republicans launch a new online forum, AmericaSpeakingOut.com, where you can lend your voice to building a new agenda.
According to legend, on September 17, 1787 — the day the Constitutional Convention adjourned — Benjamin Franklin walked through the streets of Philadelphia, where an anxious crowd gathered around him. A woman asked Dr. Franklin: “What kind of government have you given us?” And Dr. Franklin replied: “A republic, if you can keep it.”
These days, we — the American people — face a daunting question: Can we keep this great republic? Can we preserve a government of the people, by the people, and for the people? Or will we repeat the errors of other nations, shrug off the responsibilities of liberty, and entrust our destiny to a bureaucratic elite? FULL PIECE
Dick Cheney: Whitman stronger Republican candidate
as published by The Orange County Register
I am proud to endorse Meg Whitman to be the next governor of California. Meg has the conservative values, leadership skills and vision to reform state government and usher in an era of strong economic growth and prosperity. FULL PIECE
Laura Bush Says Press Typecast Her and Blames ‘Liberal Bias’
as posted on politicsdaily.com
Laura Bush expressed frustration Sunday over how the press typecasts many of the women who become First Ladies and suggested that, in some cases, including hers, liberal bias may have had something to do with it.
Bush was interviewed on Fox News Sunday where moderator Chris Wallace read a quote to her from a British tabloid that described her as a “a cookie-baking homemaker, dull, mumsy and old-fashioned” and asked why she thought she was seen that way. FULL STORY
Hands off our retirement savings!
as posted on thehill.com
There have been rumblings from the Obama Administration regarding efforts to create “Guaranteed Retirement Accounts” and impose new government mandates which would undermine 401(k) retirement savings plans and jeopardize employers’ willingness to continue offering them to their workers. FULL PIECE
The Republican Army of Moms
as posted on newledger.com
In an email conversation with a few Republican insiders in early 2008, when then-Gov. Sarah Palin was merely a little-known rising star in conservative circles, talk turned to a debate about the ability of Republicans to compete on a broader scale in House districts. I brought up an idea I’d been toying with for some time — I called it the “Smart Mom” rule. It’s worth revisiting in a cycle like this one, where upsets are to be expected in marginal districts. FULL ARTICLE
an impression of the SRLC and Liz Cheney
Suzie Terrell, founder of ProjectGoPink
If you are concerned about the direction of our country, you should have been in New Orleans for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference. The conference gave voice to the rising frustration in America and the event will filled not only with party loyalists attended but also with newcomers, people so frustrated by what is happening in Washington they have become energized. It was a pleasure to hear JC Watts, a dynamic speaker with whom I was fortunate to have a private conversation about Project GOPink. I was able to share our mission with JC and was thrilled that he was enthusiastic about what we have set out to do.
On Friday afternoon, I moderated a panel with a few outstanding women including Audra Shay, the national President of the Young Republicans, Karen Floyd, the newly elected (and first woman elected) Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, Ruth Ulrich, Louisiana’s National Committeewoman and Jan Larimer, the Co-Chairman of the RNC. But, more outstanding than the women on the panel were the women in the audience, a 22 year old woman running for the school board in her home town and a woman from Georgia ready to run for Congress. The vibe in the room was electric, women who are concerned about this country so they are jumping into the arena. Women want their voices heard and have a strong conviction that we can do better, and that we must do better.
A highlight of ProjectGoPink’s participation in the SRLC was a breakfast featuring Liz Cheney. Liz, a founder of Keep American Safe, is sharp, articulate and compassionate about America. The night before, Liz, an attorney and mother of five, delivered a speech that clearly outlined the specific foreign policy failings of an Obama administration. She criticized Obama’s shameful treatment of Israel, his apologies to the world for America’s strength, and his weakening of America’s defense. It was a speech that brought hundreds to their feet. The passion she showed that night was there the next morning in a room full of women at breakfast. Clearly, her passion and commitment is real.
Liz arrived at Bacco in New Orleans’ French Quarter with her friend Mary Matalin. From the time she entered the room there was no air of superiority despite her political pedigree. She was relaxed and approachable. Over Bacco’s fabulous eggs benedict and grits, Cheney reached out to the women she met, completely engaged in conversations about New Orleans’s recovery, Keep America Safe, and family. When she rose to speak, her love of America was clear and her concern that we are being weakened by the policies of the current administration is genuine. Terrorists on our shores are a real concern to Liz Cheney as is giving our enemies the benefit of the doubt after each act of terrorism. To me it was clear that Liz Cheney is a champion for national security and a person who truly believes that if we lose our place as the most powerful country in the world, our children will suffer.
After Liz’s appearance in New Orleans, pundits and prognosticators looked for her motive as they always do. What I saw is that Liz is motivated by a deep and abiding love for her children and her country and, unlike Michelle Obama, she has always been proud of her country and her desire is that the America of her children is as strong as the American of the past.
Meg Whitman’s take on taxes!
In honor on Tax day, we thought we would share this piece by Meg Whitman as posted on mydesert.com
When California hits hard times, Sacramento politicians predictably raise taxes.
The problem is that higher taxes make our situation worse. Today Californians are shutting their businesses, losing their homes and moving to other states. Why? High taxes and out-of-control fees are driving both jobs and job creators out of our state. FULL PIECE
An op-ed by Congressman Marsha Blackburn
As posted on The Tennessean on April 14, 2010: This month witnessed two events that could prove pivotal to our digital future. The first and most obvious was the release of the iPad. The second was the federal appeals court’s correct ruling that the Federal Communications Commission lacks the authority to regulate how Internet service providers manage their networks and deliver online content without express permission from Congress. FULL PIECE
