April 2009
TO: Majority Council Members
FROM: Ellen R. Malcolm
DATE: April 10, 2009
Changing America 2009: Majority Council conference next month
I’m looking forward to Changing America, the 18th annual Majority Council conference, which takes place here in Washington, D.C., Thursday and Friday, May 7 and 8 -- less than one month from now! We’re putting the finishing touches on the program and planning some wonderful sessions that will provoke a lot of thought and conversation.
One of the great things about the conference is the ample opportunity it offers members to meet our women elected officials and candidates. Lunch Thursday features an open dialogue with the newest member of the U.S. Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, who was appointed to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s seat and is running in 2010 to serve the remainder of her term. This will be Kirsten’s second Majority Council conference appearance; she joined us in 2007 as a newly elected House member. I know she is excited about re-introducing herself to EMILY’s List members and answering your questions about her experience in the Senate and her first statewide campaign. Dinner Thursday night features newly elected Senators Kay Hagan (N.C.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), along with Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, a rising star who is leading the field in one of the hottest Senate races of 2010.
Also on Thursday, we’ll get an insider’s view of the White House from Ellen Moran, our former executive director who is now President Obama’s communications director. Jonathan Parker, EMILY’s List’s political director, will review our historic 2008 victories and talk about the unique challenges and opportunities of the 2010 elections (with 36 governor and 36 Senate campaigns, and a lot of tough House races, there are plenty of both!). EMILY’s List Chief of Staff Britt Cocanour and WOMEN VOTE! Director Maren Hesla will introduce us to some of the cutting-edge technologies we’re incorporating into the WOMEN VOTE! program. And, in a little role reversal, we will ask you to participate in small “focus groups” to discuss electing women and whether it’s still an important goal in our democracy.
Friday begins with breakfast with newly elected Congresswomen Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio 15), Ann Kirkpatrick (Ariz. 01), Suzanne Kosmas (Fla. 24), Betsy Markey (Colo. 04), and Dina Titus (Nev. 03) -- all of whom won Republican-leaning seats in 2008 that the GOP is dying to take back in 2010. Then we’ll have a panel discussion on the role of women in the political process -- are we now treated equally? -- with Ruth A. Marcus, editorial writer and columnist for the Washington Post; Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of the Hotline, a daily compendium of political news; and veteran political strategist Mary Beth Cahill, a longtime member of the EMILY’s List family who managed John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign.
Late Friday morning, I will deliver my annual State of the List remarks in a private briefing exclusively for Majority Council members. Finally, Jennifer Granholm, now in her second term as governor of Michigan, will bring our conference to a conclusion at lunch, when she will talk about the economic challenges facing the nation as they are playing out in her state, the heart of the U.S. auto industry.
I hope you will come to celebrate our historic 2008 victories and look ahead with us as we continue to develop strategies to build on our gains in 2010. It’s not too late to register, but I urge you to act quickly. Please call 1-800-68-EMILY (1-800-683-6459) or register online here. If you would like to take advantage of our special room rate at the Omni Shoreham, please call 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664) to make reservations soon, as the block is nearly full.
The conference is a wonderful chance to recharge your batteries and reignite your passion for politics. Don’t miss this chance to network with other men and women who share your commitment to giving progressive women a voice in government!
Campaign updates from California, Missouri, Florida, and Ohio
We are just five weeks out from the May 19 special primary election to replace Hilda Solis in California’s 32nd congressional district. EMILY’s List candidate Dr. Judy Chu is running an aggressive campaign fueled by extensive endorsements from labor, environmental, civic, and law enforcement groups. Among Judy’s backers are the California Labor Federation, the California Teachers Association, the California League of Conservation Voters, the National Women’s Political Caucus, and dozens of state and local officials, including ten members of Congress. An educator and former assemblywoman, Judy sits on the state Board of Equalization (the nation’s only elected tax authority) and has extensive experience shaping complex fiscal policy.
The field is set for this race, and it’s crowded, with 20 candidates, including 10 Democrats and 7 Republicans. Under California law, all candidates’ names appear on the same ballot; if no candidate wins a majority (50 percent +1) in the May 19 primary, the top vote-getters from each party will face off in a special general election July 14. Betty’s chief opposition comes from state Democratic Senator Gil Cedillo, who does not live in the district but has extensive political connections. The race is further complicated by the late entry of Republican Betty Chu, who has virtually no chance of winning this heavily Democratic seat but is a rumored spoiler candidate who could confuse voters who plan to vote for Judy.
In the race for Missouri’s open Senate seat, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is off to a strong start. According to a GOP-released poll, Robin is leading Republican Congressman Roy Blunt with 47 to 44 percent, and ahead of former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman by 47 to 39 percent. While it’s too early to place too much stock in this poll, it demonstrates Robin’s strength and popularity in this swing state, where Republicans’ iron grip has been significantly loosened. It’s great news for a campaign just getting out of the starting gate, and certain to boost Robin’s profile.
There’s talk in Florida that GOP Governor Charlie Crist might run for the U.S. Senate -- and if he does, Alex Sink, the state’s chief financial officer, would be a strong candidate to replace him. A new poll shows Alex in a statistical dead heat with Attorney General Bill McCollum, 35 percent to 36 percent. Alex is a fresh face in politics who has earned praise for her work as the state’s top financial watchdog. The fact that she is right up there with McCollum, a longtime political fixture with 10 House campaigns and two unsuccessful Senate bids behind him is extremely encouraging.
Democrats are also running strong in the swing state of Ohio, where another hot Senate race is unfolding. A new poll shows Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and her primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, both leading potential Republican candidates in the race for retiring GOP Senator George Voinovich’s seat. Jennifer leads former GOP Congressman Rob Portman 39 to 34 percent, and state Auditor Mary Taylor 38 to 31 percent.
Judy, Robin, Alex, and Jennifer are all veterans of state and/or local office who have received support from POP, our Political Opportunity Program, and have, as a result of their service, established political networks that will help them as they seek to move up. What wonderful examples of the political pipeline in action!
We’re keeping a close eye on California since McCain-Palin surrogate Carly Fiorina started dropping hints that she might challenge Senator Barbara Boxer in 2010. Fiorina, who was fired from her post as CEO of Hewlett-Packard, proved to be a somewhat problematic surrogate for McCain in 2008, forcing the McCain campaign to pivot and explain her many gaffes (like when she suggested McCain supported requiring health insurers to cover birth control, something he had voted against twice in the Senate, or when she stated flat-out that he was not qualified to run a major corporation).
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
A few weeks ago, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida described her diagnosis with breast cancer, which she had kept private throughout her treatment. Now cancer-free, Debbie has introduced the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (the EARLY Act) to educate young women about breast cancer risk factors and promote early detection. Only 41 years old when she was diagnosed, Debbie underwent seven surgeries, including a double mastectomy -- all while maintaining a full congressional schedule and caring for her three young children.
We are all relieved that Debbie is healthy and moved by her resolve. Her decision to share her experience and sponsor the EARLY Act will affect the lives of millions of women and girls. After we posted her story on our web site, support from EMILY’s List members poured in from across the country.