Sarah Palin doesn't speak for me

By Stephanie Schriock on 08/17/2010 @ 12:00 PM

Tags: Sarah Palin, Mama Grizzlies, 2010 Elections, Stephanie's Take, Stephanie Schriock, Women leaders

Sarah Palin has been busy since she abruptly left the governors office in Alaska. She's endorsed 49 candidates this year. She's given speeches and produced a video predicting a rising tide of women voters supporting the radical, right-wing candidates she's campaigning for. For too long, Sarah Palin has been unchecked in her claim that she speaks for America's women as she attempts to impose a radical, backward thinking, anti-choice agenda in this country.

I know Sarah Palin doesn't speak for me - or for millions of women and men across this country.

I'm a westerner myself -- I'm from Butte, Montana -- and I've watched with concern as Sarah Palin tries to co-opt the independent frontier spirit and patriotism of my part of the country, and turn it into a sort of national movement for backwards-looking, extremist politics. The strong western women who raised me and who are my role models would be horrified by the radical views of Sarah Palin and her candidates.

So today, EMILY's List announces an arena for men and women to let their voices be heard and to reject Palin's reactionary candidates who would rather turn the clock back than advance the interests of women and families. We're asking Democrats, Independents, and moderate Republicans who have no home to join us in our new campaign, Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me.

Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me will feature a new multi-media interactive website, a page for users to share personal stories, connect with friends, and to learn the truth about Palin's endorsed candidates.

This campaign is an opportunity for women and men throughout the country to come together and show that Sarah Palin doesn't speak for them -- and to fight for leaders and policies that are good for them and their families, the way EMILY's List has for 25 years by recruiting, supporting and electing Democratic women across our country. For 25 years, too, we've turned out women voters, especially when there's so much at stake - which is why we're asking folks to visit the Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me campaign website and pledge to vote in November.

Together we can counter the voices that are rising up on the right, trying to turn our country back and impose regressive policies. With our voices we can expand our community and turn out support for progressive candidates who want continue to move us forward, and together we can say Sarah Doesn't Speak for Me.

Cross-posted to The Huffington Post.

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Ann McLane Kuster: a true progressive

By Lisa McIntire on 08/13/2010 @ 01:30 PM

Tags: Ann McLane Kuster, NH-02, U.S. House

Can’t deny it: we’re pretty excited about all the good news coming in about Ann McLane Kuster’s primary campaign in New Hampshire’s second congressional district. MoveOn.org polled its members in Ann’s state last week, and the result was overwhelming support: Ann won their endorsement with 85% of the vote. Adam Ruben, MoveOn’s political action political director, wrote to MoveOn New Hampshire members that “Ann McLane Kuster is a genuine progressive running a powerful grassroots campaign.” We heartily agree.

And, just last night, the reputable Cook Political Report called Ann the “favorite” and that “most insiders say Kuster has the momentum as the ‘fresh face’ in the race.” The buzz is clearly not just among the insiders – look at this fantastic homemade Kuster sign that a supporter put up near the intersection of 202 and 101 in Peterborough.

Ann’s got the momentum – all she needs is our continued support to get her to the finish line.

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Enough of the violent rhetoric

By Lisa McIntire on 08/12/2010 @ 07:00 PM

Tags: Patty Murray, Dino Rossi, Tea Party, WA-Sen, Sarah Palin

You know that old saying, you’re only as good as the company you keep? Well, yet again, Dino Rossi, who’s trying to unseat Sen. Patty Murray, is associating with some pretty appalling characters. At a business round-table in Spokane, a woman upset with a pro-union bill exclaimed about Patty, “She ought to be shot. Murray and (Sen. Maria) Cantwell ought to be shot.” This violent, outrageous remark is not the first to be directed toward Patty.

Now, you’d hope any reasonable person, regardless of party, would immediately condemn such a vitriolic, dangerous comment. Well, unfortunately, that’s not exactly what happened after this latest outburst: Rossi first pointed out that a reporter was in the room – safety, er, public relations first! – then, like a parent would do with a child, prodded the irate woman, "That's not really what you meant." Sorry, Dino: that’s not really enough.

Unfortunately, opposition to our candidates has been tainted with violent imagery before. We won’t soon forget Sarah Palin’s PAC posting a map of the US with gun sights targeted at House Democrats – four of whom are EMILY’s List candidates. As our President Stephanie Schriock said at the time, such behavior “is not the American way. We do not put targets on the backs of fellow Americans even when we disagree.”

So, enough of the violent statements and inflammatory rhetoric. American voters deserve better.

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Suzanne Kosmas: looking out for small businesses

By Lisa McIntire on 08/12/2010 @ 04:21 PM

Tags: Suzanne Kosmas, FL-24, US House

This week, members of the House returned to Washington for a special session to cast key votes ensuring critical funding for their home states. Democrats stood up for the heroes of our communities: teachers, firefighters, police officers, and many more civil servants.

As noted in this Seminole Voice article, Suzanne’s constituents are grateful for her dedication to their economic welfare. "It is so important what she is doing," said business owner Lisa Ordonex of Kosmas’s efforts at a women-owned small business roundtable hosted by Suzanne in Central Florida. Another small business owner, Betsy Franceschini, said the meeting with Kosmas “gives us energy to come together to support each other and to survive."

In addition to the moral support and networking help, Kosmas has introduced bills for tax relief for small businesses and entrepreneurs. She’s helping them afford health care for employees and reduce the burden of startup costs. Most importantly, while the GOP is busy attacking her, Suzanne remains focused on what really matters: the everyday Floridians in need of her support.

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There for us when we need them

By Hilary on 08/11/2010 @ 07:41 PM

Tags: 2010 Elections, Debbie Halvorson, Suzanne Kosmas, Dina Titus, Patty Murray, Chellie Pingree

This week, members of the House returned to Washington for a special session to cast key votes ensuring critical funding for their home states. Democrats stood up for the heroes of our communities: teachers, firefighters, police officers, and many more civil servants.

In case you missed it, here's a round-up of what some of the great pro-choice Democratic women in the House had to say this week about the Education, Jobs, and Medicaid Assistance Act:

Cong. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11)

This bill will help us save Illinois jobs, keep class sizes down, keep people off the unemployment rolls, and will reduce our deficit by stopping the incentives that lead companies to ship jobs overseas...Investment needs to come home here to America, and this bill will help us stop the incentives that lead to jobs going to foreign countries instead of right here at home.

Cong. Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24)

As our economy continues to recover, state governments are still facing massive budget shortfalls, putting thousands of jobs at risk. These investments in the education of our children and the safety of our neighborhoods are both necessary and responsible. This fiscally responsible legislation will provide the immediate assistance Florida needs to prevent teacher and first responder layoffs and ensure the continuation of critical public services.

Cong. Dina Titus (NV-03)

Late last night I returned from a whirlwind 10-hour trip to Washington where I was proud to cast my vote in favor of legislation that will keep 1,400 teachers on the job and prevent cuts to vital services. With Nevada facing significant budget shortfalls, these funds, which are only for teachers and Medicaid, are critical to getting our economy moving. Republicans call this bill a “payoff” to “special interests”. Well, the “special interests” they’re talking about are the educators, students, and seniors in southern Nevada whom I am proud to represent.

Cong. Chellie Pingree (ME-01)

Yesterday, I was proud to stand in the Oval Office and watch as President Obama signed a bill that will save the jobs of 700 teachers across our state and hundreds of thousands of police officers, fire fighters and other workers across the country...During the debate of this bill in Washington, I was often reminded of my time on the school board in my hometown of North Haven. Local school districts are constantly facing growing needs and tight budgets, but especially in this tough economy it can be immensely difficult to both balance a budget and provide opportunity for our children.

And, we know that our great advocates in the Senate - like Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) , Barbara Boxer (CA), and Patty Murray (WA) - were also critical in pushing this measure forward. Sen. Murray delivered for her home state in securing an amendment that will stave off cuts in Medicaid benefits and educators' jobs. When fighting against Republican obstructionism to secure passage of her amendment on the Senate floor, Patty said; "The bottom line is that without this amendment, much of the progress states have made to get back on the right economic track will be endangered."

We're proud to see our women answering the call of duty when their constituents need them most.

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