May 2008

Dear John

The GOP’s presumptive presidential nominee is the notable, quotable Sen. John McCain. What’s your poison? The economy? Choice? Iraq? Arizona’s straighttalkin’ senior senator has words of wisdom on all the issues of the day.

I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned.
(Fox News, 2/19/07)

Make it a hundred… That would be fine with me.
On Bush’s proposal to keep U. S. troops in Iraq for 50 years (MSNBC, 1/3/08)

The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should. I’ve got Greenspan’s book.
(Boston Globe, 12/18/07)

There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where -- you and I could walk through those neighborhoods today.
After visiting a Baghdad market under protection of 22 soldiers, 10 armored Humvees, and two Apache helicopters (Bill Bennett’s Morning in America, 3/26/07)

Only the most deluded of us could doubt the necessity of this war.
(Republican National Convention, 8/30/04)

I would rather have a clean government than one where, quote, “First Amendment rights” are being respected, that has become corrupt.
(Don Imus, 4/28/06)

Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.
At a 1998 Republican fundraiser (The Hotline, 6/15/98)

You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.
(cnn.com, 4/19/07)

I will conduct a respectful debate. Now, it will be dispirited -- it will be spirited -- because there are stark differences. I am a proud conservative, liberal Republica -- conservative Republican... Hello? Easy there.
(Fox News, 2/28/08)

Thank you for the question, you little jerk.
Responding to a high school student who asked if McCain was too old to be president (Boston Globe, 3/28/08)

Coming together for progressive change

Debunking the myth of the moderate McCain

Poll after poll shows Americans are ready for change. In an April New York Times/CBS News survey, 81 percent of Americans said they are unhappy with the direction of the country -- the highest since the Times and CBS began asking that question in the early 1990s. The web site realclearpolitics.com, which compiles polling data from around the country, confirms this erosion of confidence: an average of public polls over the last six months shows Bush’s performance approval hovering around 32 percent, with nearly two-thirds of Americans consistently expressing dissatisfaction with his leadership.

“These numbers demonstrate what I’ve heard from voters across the country. Americans are deeply concerned about the state of the nation under Bush, and eager for progressive leaders who will move us in a different direction,” says Ellen R. Malcolm, president of EMILY’s List. “There is a clear mandate for change at every level of government.”

The energy and excitement surrounding the 2008 campaign are further evidence of a powerful desire for change. In addition to record turnout in presidential primaries, Democrats are seeing dramatic registration increases -- from new voters, and from Republicans and independent voters who are re-registering as Democrats.

“Americans are looking for relief from an economic recession and rising fuel costs, an answer to the health care crisis, a plan for energy independence, and an exit strategy for withdrawal from Iraq,” says Malcolm. “And Republicans, led by Bush and his hopeful successor, John McCain, are offering them more of the same failed policies.”

McCain=McBush

A McCain presidency would essentially be four more years of Bush, says Malcolm.

“McCain works hard to brand himself as a maverick, but there is virtually no daylight between his policies and the policies of the Bush administration,” she says.

On no issue is McCain further to the right than choice. According to NARAL-Pro Choice America, between 1987 and 2007, McCain cast 119 votes on abortion and other reproductive rights issues; 115 of these votes were antichoice. He voted against funding teen pregnancy prevention programs and in favor of funding for abstinence-only sex education. He refused to sign onto legislation giving rape victims access to emergency contraception, and opposed a bill requiring health plans to cover birth control. He voted against the Freedom of Access to Clinics law to protect women entering reproductive health clinics from assault. And McCain said he was “proud” of the role he played in confirming anti-choice Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts and has said that if he becomes president, he will “try to find clones” to fill future vacancies.

Alarmingly, says Malcolm, “women don’t know the truth about McCain.” A recent poll conducted by Planned Parenthood showed that more than half of women voters in 16 presidential battleground states do not know McCain’s views on reproductive rights. Among women who said they support McCain, 49 percent are pro-choice.

“Somehow, McCain’s maverick propaganda has led some women to believe he supports a woman’s right to choose,” says Malcolm, “even though he has repeatedly said he believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned and has consistently voted against family planning. Educating women on the real McCain is a priority for EMILY’s List and our allies in the choice community. We will make sure women learn the truth about McCain -- and when they do, I’m confident they will reject his candidacy.”

McCain tracks Bush’s footsteps on other issues, as well. His congressional record and campaign rhetoric both reflect his commitment to continuing the Bush agenda. McCain supports making Bush’s tax cuts permanent and privatizing Social Security. He voted against reauthorizing the state Children’s Health Insurance Program, which would have extended coverage to 10 million uninsured children, and told CNN that Bush’s veto of the bill was “the right call.” McCain opposes setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq and has said it would be “fine” for U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for another 100 years. He told right-wing talk radio jock Mike Gallagher, “no one has supported President Bush on Iraq more than I have.”

Strengthening Democratic majorities

While the presidential campaign continues, EMILY’s List remains focused on dozens of critical races for the U.S. House, Senate, and governor across the nation.

“As important as it is to take back the White House, Democrats can’t effect change without working majorities in Congress and the states,” says Malcolm. “EMILY’s List is committed to mobilizing women voters on behalf of Democrats up and down the ballot, and to electing women candidates who will advance a progressive agenda in Washington and state legislatures.”

New opportunities to elect pro-choice Democratic women continue to emerge. As of mid-April, there were 29 open Republican House seats, and still more Republican incumbents who are vulnerable to defeat. EMILY’s List has endorsed 16 House candidates, including eight who are running in open seats and four who are challenging Republican incumbents, with more endorsements expected in the coming weeks. EMILY’s List is backing two Senate candidates, Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire and Kay Hagan in North Carolina (both are taking on GOP incumbents), and three candidates for governor: Bev Perdue in North Carolina, Jill Long Thompson in Indiana, and Gov. Chris Gregoire in Washington state.

“We are working with more campaigns than ever before,” says Malcolm, “and we will make sure our women have the resources they need to build strong campaigns.”

The political tools to win

Over the next six months, EMILY’s List will make significant investments in the political programs that will help women and Democrats win in November, including the most comprehensive WOMEN VOTE! effort in the organization’s history.

“EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! has already made the winning difference in special elections and primaries,” says Malcolm. “Democrats are relying on us this fall to make sure women are energized and committed to voting in November.” Other priorities include providing training and support for women running for state and local office through the Political Opportunity Program; training young political activists through Campaign Corps, then placing them on progressive campaigns this fall; and offering expertise and support to women’s campaigns from the political staff in our Campaign Services department, to help women build smart campaigns.

“Democrats are unified in our passion to change the direction of the country,” says Malcolm. “EMILY’s List will be a force to bring the party together. We will use the power of women voters to elect a Democratic president and progressive Democratic men and women at all levels of government.”

Karen Bass: California’s next speaker

POP women push through to leadership, higher office

When Karen Bass was elected to the California Assembly in 2004, she was the only African American woman in the state’s legislature. In February, Bass reached a greater milestone: she was chosen by her colleagues to be speaker. She will be the first African American woman speaker of a state legislature in U.S. history.

Bass is just one example of the success of POP, EMILY’s List’s Political Opportunity Program, in helping women chart a path to leadership and higher office.

POP is dedicated to expanding the number of women running for office at the state and local levels. Since its launch in 2001, POP has trained more than 5,000 candidates, staff, or those who are thinking about running for office. POP also offers political advice and financial support in targeted races. In the 2004 and 2006 election cycles, POP endorsed 492 women; of that total, 336 won. So far in the 2008 cycle, POP has endorsed 59 candidates: 41 are running for state House or Senate; 12 are seeking municipal or county office; and six are running statewide.

“The motivation behind POP is twofold,” says Britt Cocanour, EMILY’s List’s chief of staff and the architect of the Political Opportunity Program. “We want to elect pro-choice Democratic women to state and local offices, where they will shape policy that affects millions of women and families, and help build a progressive America from the ground up. But we also want to help women get the experience they need to run for higher office when the opportunity arises.”

Making sure there is a deep bench of women who are ready to run is critical to achieving parity at the highest levels of government. Nearly three-fourths of the women EMILY’s List has helped elect to Congress and as governor held a state or local office first. Of the 28 candidates EMILY’s List has endorsed this cycle, 17 have state or local experience.

Many of these women held key leadership positions in their states. Among congressional candidates, Joan Fitz-Gerald was Colorado’s Senate president; Debbie Halvorson is majority leader of the Illinois state Senate; Mary Jo Kilroy is president of the Franklin County Commission in Ohio; Chellie Pingree was Senate majority leader in Maine; and Kay Barnes was mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. Senate candidate Kay Hagan co-chairs the Committee on Budget and Appropriations in the North Carolina Senate.

A key goal of POP is to help elect women to statewide constitutional offices like secretary of state, attorney general, and treasurer -- positions that wield tremendous influence.

In Oregon, secretary of state candidate Kate Brown’s affiliation with POP dates back to her campaigns for the state Senate. With support from POP, Brown and other pro-choice Democratic women helped Democrats regain control of the chamber, and Brown served as Senate majority leader. She stepped down last year to dedicate herself full-time to running for secretary of state, a powerful position that oversees elections and is second in line to the governor.

Keeping the pipeline filled is another POP goal. But POP is also helping Democrats take control of legislative bodies, a critical goal as the 2010 census and subsequent redrawing of congressional district lines approaches.

“POP women are helping to build Democratic majorities in the states,” says Cocanour. “That, in turn, will leave a lasting mark on a state’s congressional delegation -- a crucial element of EMILY’s List’s strategic plan to build a progressive majority.”

Making progress on the 10-year plan

What's Cooking

Political news from Washington and around the country

Political analyst Stuart Rothenberg released his “Dangerous Dozen” ranking of House races, and EMILY’s List candidates are leading the charge … all are running to take over GOPheld open seats … in Illinois 11, Debbie Halvorson cleared the Democratic field … in Virginia 11, Leslie Byrne is vying for the Dem nod June 10 … in Arizona 1, Ann Kirkpatrick is the Dem favorite to replace indicted GOP Rep. Rick Renzi … in Ohio 15, Mary Jo Kilroy faces well-funded state Sen. Steve Stivers (say that three times fast) … and in New Jersey 7, Linda Stender is waiting to see who wins the GOP nod … House Republicans are surely “stuing” over Rothenberg’s picks.

We know our women leaders are courageous … now it’s official … Secretaries of State Debra Bowen (Calif.) and Jennifer Brunner (Ohio) have both won the 2008 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™ for what Foundation President Caroline Kennedy called “exceptional leadership” in challenging the reliability of electronic voting in their states … Brunner made sure Ohio voters get paper ballots on request … Bowen’s independent review in 2007 revealed flaws in some counties’ voting systems … with these women in charge, everyone’s vote counts.

Florida Rep. Tom Feeney is desperate to distract voters … the GOP congressman who flew to Scotland courtesy of Jack Abramoff sent an official mailer to voters in his district … the mailer criticized the Berkeley City Council for voting to shut down a military recruitment center … that’s Berkeley, California … it had a very targeted audience ... military families only … when Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell called Feeney to ask him why he used taxpayer money for what appeared to be political mail, Feeney questioned Maxwell’s patriotism … “You apparently don’t have the same respect for the people who are fighting and dying for this country,” Feeney responded … Maxwell noted that Feeney has a serious opponent -- that would be former state Rep. Suzanne Kosmas -- who has the political will to make the most of Feeney’s heavy ethical baggage.

Up in New Hampshire, former governor Jeanne Shaheen still leads GOP Sen. John Sununu in 2008’s hottest Senate rematch … while touring the state to promote her Middle Class Matters proposals, effusive voters told Shaheen that she should run for president … the popular three-term governor laughed and said she’s taking her career one step at a time.

Washington state Republican Dino Rossi once blamed his 2004 gubernatorial loss to Chris Gregoire on dead voters … he must have decided, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” … Rossi’s challenging Gregoire in another hot rematch … he recently held a fundraiser at a funeral home and has raised several thousand dollars from the state funeral directors’ political action committee … Rossi got a jump on Gregoire in fundraising, raking in at least $2.6 million while Gregoire observed a 90-day mandatory moratorium on fundraising during the state’s legislative session.

Boy, we’ll miss Dick Cheney … the lame duck-huntin’ veep recently delivered a twofer to ABC News on the Iraq War … first, in response to a poll showing about two-thirds of Americans say the war hasn’t been worth it, Cheney offered a typically empathetic “So?” … then, defending his boss on the war, he offered this cryptic quip: “The president carries the biggest burden, obviously … He’s the one who has to make the decision to commit young Americans” … leave it to Cheney to suggest that Bush’s sacrifice is greater than soldiers and their families.

Speaking of veeps that give us the creeps … Fox News fave and New York Times columnist Bill Kristol suggested in a recent op-ed piece that McCain “could persuade the most impressive conservative in American public life, Clarence Thomas, to join the ticket” … now, there’s a gruesome twosome.

Horton Hears a Huh? At the screening of Horton Hears a Who!, a film based on the Dr. Seuss book, anti-choice protesters -- much to the confusion of the audience -- began shouting after the title character spake his famous motto, “A person’s a person, no matter how small” … anti-choicers have appropriated Horton’s adage ... after the show, protesters distributed anti-choice fliers that looked like tickets … in Colorado, antichoice activists backing a ballot initiative that says life begins at conception plan to canvass for signatures at theaters showing Horton, wearing t-shirts featuring Horton’s famous words.

Edwards on track to be 71

Speier makes it 70

In an April 8 special election, voters in California’s 12th congressional district elected Jackie Speier to Congress to replace the late Rep. Tom Lantos, who died in February. Her victory brings the total number of Democratic women in the California congressional delegation to 21 and the number of pro-choice Democratic women EMILY’s List has helped elect to the U.S. House to 70.

Speier was sworn in April 10 and wasted no time in letting Congress know what’s on the minds of her constituents.

“The process to bring the troops home must begin immediately,” Speier said in her first floor speech. “The president wants to stay the course and a man who wants to replace him suggests we could be in Iraq for 100 years. But Madam Speaker, history will not judge us kindly if we sacrifice four generations of Americans because of the folly of one.”

Donna Edwards, who won the February 12 primary in Maryland’s fourth congressional district, is now likely to be sworn in to the current session of Congress. The incumbent she defeated, Rep. Al Wynn, resigned and is vacating his seat May 31, prompting a June 17 special election. Edwards is heavily favored to win. She will be the first African American woman to represent Maryland in Congress.

“Every special election victory adds to our momentum heading into November,” says Ellen Moran, EMILY’s List’s executive director. “These women hold strongly Democratic seats, and are likely to be in Congress -- and build seniority -- for many years to come.”

Candidate Spotlight

Kay Hagan

Kay Hagan is taking on one of President Bush’s most reliable loyalists: Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, who succeeded Jesse Helms in the U.S. Senate. Dole’s antichoice record befits the successor to the right-wing demagogue: she is the only woman senator from either party to vote against affirming Roe v. Wade. The state’s governor, Mike Easley, called Hagan “one of the smartest, hardest working, most effective senators we have in Raleigh.” As co-chair of the powerful Budget and Appropriations Committee, she helped expand health care coverage for North Carolina children and strengthen its public schools. Political blog RealClear- Politics.com tagged this one of the country’s top ten Senate races of 2008. Hagan spoke with EMILY’s List recently about her campaign and women in politics.

Democrats seem to be gaining strength in North Carolina. Do you get that sense as you campaign?
There’s huge excitement across North Carolina. Our primary is late, so we are usually not in play in presidential contests, but things are very different this year. We are seeing so many people come out and register because there is so much excitement and attention being paid. And it’s not just new people registering -- many voters are changing from Republican to Democrat. This will have a huge impact in November. If we can maintain high turnout, that bodes well for me and all Democrats on the ticket.

One Republican pundit said you were the Democrats’ best hope of defeating Elizabeth Dole. Can she be beat?
Oh, yes, she can be beat -- and as he said, I am the one to do it. I am giving up a very safe state Senate seat with a lot of power as co-chair of the appropriations committee. I did not give that up lightly. I am going to win this race.

Elizabeth Dole is not getting things done. She was ranked 93rd out of 100 in terms of effectiveness in the Senate. And she’s fighting not just the perception, but the reality that she does not live in North Carolina. I’ve got at least two big things going for me: I live in North Carolina, and my husband can vote for me!

Look, Washington is broken and people know it. And Dole is a creature of Washington. She’s well-known -- but even with her high name recognition, nobody can tell you what she has done for North Carolina over the last six years.

How has the Bush agenda affected your state?
Whether it’s the economy or the war or immigration or housing or the failures of the Federal Aviation Administration -- everything that Bush touches seems to break. People are very tired of that. I want to work across party lines to make this government work for the people. I’ve got two children in college, one at Duke and one at UNC-Chapel Hill. If I can mediate rivalries between them, I can work across party lines in Congress to get things done.

What were your ambitions growing up? Did you want to run for office?
Yes, I grew up surrounded by politics. My father was mayor of my hometown and my uncle was a U.S. senator and governor of Florida, Lawton Chiles. When I was in school, he walked the state of Florida -- “Walking Lawton,” they called him -- and I spent many a day walking and campaigning for my uncle. I always had a great deal of respect for people who got into public service, because I knew this wonderful, honest man who represented us.

There are so many compelling reasons why we need more women in elected positions. I’ll give you an example. Several years ago I found out that we had 2000 untested rape kits sitting on the shelves in police departments, all across the state. At that time, if a woman was raped, she had to be able to identify the suspect or the rape kit would just sit there, untested for DNA. No analysis could be done without an ID. I made sure we appropriated the funds to start testing all those rape kits. It’s made such a difference for women to identify their attackers.

What advice do you give young women who are considering running for office?
I love to speak to young women whenever I am asked. I tell them that they need to run for office. I tell them right then and there that I am recruiting them to run! And I also tell them to pick three candidates and give $5 to all three and volunteer for at least one. If they commit their time and their money, they will talk about it with their friends and get others involved -- and they’ll vote. They’ll get involved in the political process, and it will change their lives.