Is Emily's List a shero or a shill?

OK -- am I the only one that reads Ellen Malcolm's emails and cringes??? Does any one else wonder how a PAC puportedly aimed at electing and empowering women can rarely actually talk about it? How the facts are not only skewed to toot its own horn, but honed to urge members to forge ahead to generically elect Democrats -- as was noted in yesterday's missive ("Hirono Wins!") regarding EMILY's List-endorsed Mazie Hirono's razor-thin victory in HI02? Does anyone else see those messages as Democrat screeds more than a call for electing MORE women?

Ms. Malcolm described the former Hawaii Lt. Governor's victory as "impressive" -- failing to mention that it was by 833 votes, which many on the island found plenty troublesome even if there were nine primary opponents. And even if HI02 is currently Democrat, OPEN SEAT campaigns can be tricky. Nothing is assured regardless of Malcolm's words, but those words will keep the dollars flowing for Hirono and, of course, EMILY's LIST.

EMILY's List -- dedicated to electing pro-Choice women Democrats -- has so far spent nearly $24 million (on what exactly???) this election cycle, more than any other independent political action committee in the entire country, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That's impressive, and I am quite sure that Howard Dean and Rahm Emmanuel and Charlie Shumer couldn't be more pleased.

But I am displeased. NOWHERE is yesterday's email does Ms. Malcolm mention anything about electing MORE women. NOWHERE in yesterday's email does she mention that a win by Hirono would amount to a pick-up for women in Congress. All she can talk about is "ensuring that Democrats hold this seat" and that "...we've made the entire Democratic Party stronger." This may be brilliant fund-raising -- tapping into the hopes of women (and men who think they are helping women) who want to see Democrats take over Congress -- but I think it's shameful pandering to and preservation of the current political status quo.

Is the election of MORE women so passe that we can't even talk about it? Or just a another tool to empower a political party that will do nothing special to help achieve equal representation in our lifetimes? Is EMILY'S LIST a shero or a shill? I'd love like you to think shero, but then comes another of those scary emails.

PS: As a lifelong Democrat, I certainly am not against electing Democrats per se -- but shouldn't those writing checks to EMILY'S LIST know that so much of the money is going to get women to vote for Democrats rather than directly benefitting women's campaigns? For that reason, I urge you to give DIRECTLY to those campaign, especially for OPEN SEATS -- just to be on the safe side!

Susan B. Anthony List -- yikes!

Today's Women's eNews article "Election Victories Reveal a PAC's Rising Influence" by Allison Stevens showed us once again that women are experts at shooting themselves in the foot -- and that NOW is not alone in its support of men instead of only women. The Susan B. Anthony List is dedicated to electing pro-Life women and opposing pro-Choice women! The PAC is busy trying to unelect Governor Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabinow, both of Michigan. Whether Susan B. Anthony was against abortion or not, she must be turning over in her grave. What can posses PACs ostensibly supporting empowerment for women to make them throw money at male candidates running against pro-Choice women?? This is just another way that women consistently go two steps forward and three steps back -- and a sure sign that the Apocalypse may well be just around the corner!

FLA Lt. Governor picks not women!

Today Democrat nominee for Florida governor Jim Davis selected former state senator and 2002 gubernatorial candidate Daryl Jones as his running mate -- thus joining his opponent Republican Charlie Crist in shutting out women from the 2006 top tickets. This after Jeb Bush had appointed Toni Jennings to suceed Frank Brogan who resigned in 2003 to become president of FAU. Jennings chose not to run for governor; i'm not sure why and was disappointed, frankly.

In 2002, both Janet Reno and Lois Frankel ran for the Democrat nomination -- Reno lost in the primary by a mere 5,000 votes in an election marred by malfunctioning voting machines and a steady drumbeat of negativity aimed at defeating Reno...There were a number of capable, seasoned women available to run for lt. governor this year -- and who would have complemented any strategical/geographic campaign strategy.

Florida women are back to Square One -- will we do anything about it? Why wasn't a woman chosen? What does either candidate, SPECIFICALLY, have to offer women? Will these men be held accountable? Or will we all run off like lemmings to be handmaidens to men seeking political power while we sit in the back benches? Stay tuned!

Ann Richards 1933-2006

Nine (9) primaries yesterday --only three (3) women winners for OPEN SEATS!

On September 12th, there were nine (9) primaries, and only three (3) women advanced in their runs for OPEN SEATS: Gabriella Giffords (AZ08), Yvette Clark (NY11), and Martha Rainville (VTAL). The New York seat was won in a hotly contested 4-person race. NY City Council member Yvette Clark prevailed in her bid to win Shirley Chisholm's old seat -- while Chris owens, the son of the retiring incumbent Major owens, came in last even while boasting the support of Brooklyn NOW. Yes, what was wrong with that picture??? Fortunately plenty of women, including Liz Abzug (daughter of Bella), worked hard to return that seat to a woman -- especially since there are no black women in the NY Congressional delegation. Meanwhile, out of 31 OPEN SEATS, women are still standing in only 15 of of those races!

FL Primary - Women's Ballot

Kathy Castor (FL10) and Christine Jennings (FL13) won their primaries yesterday, and now 22 women candidates remain in the OPEN SEATS game, vying for 17 seats. You can access results from Tuesday's Florida Primary for OPEN SEATS in the state legislature , and also check the status of the Miami-Dade County Women's Ballot. (Courtesy of withoutboundaries.com)