Hoekstra stumbles with negative and offensive ad

By Alison McQuade on 02/06/2012 @ 06:00 PM

Tags: Why Women, Debbie Stabenow, GOP Opponents

On Sunday, Pete Hoekstra aired an ad during the Super Bowl against his opponent, EMILY’s List candidate Sen. Debbie Stabenow. With the wordsmith skills of a clever 10 year-old, Hoekstra used a play on words, changing Stabenow’s name to Spend-it-now.

But wait, it gets worse. The xenophobic ad portrays a young Chinese woman speaking in broken English about the growth of her country’s economy. The video directs viewers to an even more racially insensitive website that continues the theme. Even Republican consultant Mike Murphy tweeted, “Pete Hoekstra Superbowl TV ad in MI Senate race really, really dumb. I mean really.”

Hoekstra’s accusations couldn’t be more off base. While he’s busy stirring up negative racial stereotypes, Debbie Stabenow remains a champion for the middle class. She’s keeping her focus on what matters – Michigan families, health care and jobs.

Self-dubbed Pete ‘spend-it-not’ Hoekstra actually spent $75,000 just to air the ad statewide one time during the Super Bowl, and the ad will air for two more weeks in every Michigan television market. He’s demonstrated that he’ll do anything – even make sweeping, offensive racial judgments – in order to win.

To phrase this in a way that Pete Hoekstra could understand, let’s Stab-e-not let that happen.

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Jess McIntosh on the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Backlash

By Sean Wagman on 02/06/2012 @ 11:10 AM

Tags: Why Women, WHY 2012

Last week, Susan G. Komen for the Cure made the now infamous decision to cut its funding for Planned Parenthood. We, along with activists across the country, were outraged, and demanded that Komen restore funding for the critical breast cancer screening services that Planned Parenthood provides for women.

EMILY’s List’s own Jess McIntosh was on Countdown with Keith Olbermann Friday night to discuss the issue. "Women are sick of having to fight back every time our health care is threatened," McIntosh said. And the best way to fix that? "Electing more pro-choice Democratic women in the first place."

Watch the full interview here:

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By Sean Wagman on 02/02/2012 @ 12:38 PM

Tags: Why Women, WHY 2012, GOP Opponents

You would think that an organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer would do everything in its power to make sure that women have access to cancer screenings and mammograms. But apparently that isn’t the case.

Earlier in the week, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation halted all funding for Planned Parenthood.

This money was vital for Planned Parenthood – it allowed the organization to provide nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams and referrals for more than 6,400 mammograms over the past five years. This is preventative care that saves lives.

But under pressure from anti-choice groups and Congressional Republicans, Komen pulled its funding - with folks like right-wing senator David Vitter taking credit. And now tens of thousands of women could be at risk.

This War on Women must stop – women’s lives are at stake. Tell the GOP to stop playing politics: it’s time to put women’s health first!

“It’s hard to understand how an organization with whom we share a mission of saving women’s lives could have bowed to this kind of bullying,” said Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

In this Congress, we’ve seen an all out assault on women from the GOP, and this is just the latest fallout.

But our women in Congress are speaking out and fighting back. Here are a few of their statements:

"I was perplexed and troubled to see the decision by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to cut off funding for life-saving breast cancer screenings through Planned Parenthood because of a political witch hunt by House Republicans. I truly hope that they will reconsider this decision and put the needs of women first." – Sen. Barbara Boxer

“I'm troubled by the decision by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to end support of cancer screenings for thousands of women through Planned Parenthood. These women who depend on Planned Parenthood for cancer screening, education, and prevention shouldn't pay the price for this misguided decision.” – Sen. Patty Murray

"I see the Komen Foundation declaring war on women's health. Planned Parenthood has done everything they've been asked to do. And with their own private money, with 3 percent of their services or less, they do abortions, which the last I heard were still legal in this country." – Rep. Diana DeGette

And don’t miss this impassioned speech from Rep, Jackie Speier on the House floor,

Our women are doing everything they can to stop the attacks on women’s health. But we need more of them! And we can do it in 2012 with our amazing line-up of Democratic women candidates who will help us hold the Senate and take back the House. Learn more here: WHY 2012

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Equal Representation, A Better America

By Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on 02/02/2012 @ 11:06 AM

Tags: Why Women, WHY 2012, Kirsten Gillibrand

2012 marks a momentous year for women in politics. This year, we have the opportunity to rise above the GOP's attempts to set women's rights back and turn 2012 into Women's Historic Year.

I'm so excited that in 2012 we have more women running for the US Senate than ever before, which means that the support of organizations such as EMILY's List will be more important than ever. This election cycle, EMILY's List will be supporting a record number of women -- and I am so proud to be among them. From Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts to Mazie Hirono in Hawaii to our record 6 women running for re-election to the Senate all around the country, I know that the women running this year will serve as a catalyst for change in Washington. As more and more women get off the sidelines, run for office and win, women will provide the strength and leadership Washington needs to get our nation back on the right path.

We all know that Washington is not working the way it should -- the way our families and the middle class need it to. That's why I created Off The Sidelines as a call to action to women to get involved in the political process and make their voices heard. Whether it's registering to vote, volunteering for a candidate who shares your values or running for office yourself, it's so important that women realize that they can make a difference and that their voices matter.

Throughout its history, EMILY's List women have made groundbreaking progress on the most critical issues such as education, the economy, health care, employment protection, national security, the environment and minimum wage. As the number of women in office grows, not only will we move one step closer to equal representation in Congress, but we'll also move toward a fairer, safer and more progressive America. Currently, women make up just 17 percent of Congress. This needs to change now and we have a terrific opportunity in 2012 to make great gains. So let's commit to do everything we can to make 2012 Women's Historic Year and bring a surge of new women into Congress. Because when more women are at the decision making table, the range of discussions is more diverse, and the outcomes are often better as a result. That means better policies for our families, for our communities and for all Americans.

As mothers, sisters and daughters who support women's rights and family values, women offer a different and much needed perspective and approach to solving problems, creating positive change, and simply getting things done. As my colleague Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) once quipped, "Kirsten, if you and I were negotiating the budget we would have gotten it done a week ago." I could not agree more. Let's make a difference and get more women off the sidelines and into public office today.

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By Rep. Mazie Hirono on 02/02/2012 @ 10:56 AM

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I know the power of women firsthand. My mother fled from abuse and overcame discrimination, all while building a family and an honorable career in public service. Her example, her leadership, and her focus provide much of the drive behind my own commitment to public service. This election year I am thrilled to be one of a record number of extraordinary women that EMILY's List is supporting for Senate. I am seeking to make history by running to be the first woman Senator from the great state of Hawaii. EMILY's List has the power to help support women on the national, state and local levels -- both financially and strategically -- by allowing us to build strong campaigns and fight against the same old boy's club politics. With only 17% of the Senate comprised of women, there is no way we can govern representatively and effectively. That is why together, in 2012,we will make a real difference by electing more progressive women into office.

I have witnessed firsthand how EMILY's List women have made groundbreaking progress as leaders on the critical issues that affect women and families in all facets of our lives. Since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, I have made it a priority to focus on job creation and improving the state of our nation's economy. I support progressive legislation that improves the quality of life of my constituents by working to strengthen our education, transportation and infrastructure systems. And I fight tooth and nail against Republican anti-family, anti-woman legislation. Now, in 2012, as I proudly run for Senator, I will continue to fight on behalf of the women and families in Hawaii as I have in Congress for years.

We all know that our nation faces tough decisions, and I believe it is important to elect more progressive women into office. Women's leadership brings change, a willingness to focus on results and the ability to get things done. When there are more progressive women in office -- and there will be -- not only will the culture of Washington improve, but the quality of life for our constituents will improve as we stand up for a better America.

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