national polls on palin no surprise to this feminist

Is anyone really surprised that the first two national polls find that adding Gov. Sarah Palin to the Republican ticket gains LESS support from women? I’m not, and neither are any of the women I’ve been emailing with over the weekend.

Editor & Publisher reports:

The first national polls on John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin yesterday came out today from Rasmussen and Gallup — and contrary to what the GOP probably hoped, she scored less well with women than men.

Here’s a finding from Gallup: Among Democratic women — including those who may be disappointed that Hillary Clinton did not win the Democratic nomination — 9% say Palin makes them more likely to support McCain, 15% less likely.

From Rasmussen: Some 38% of men said they were more likely to vote for McCain now, but only 32% of women. By a narrow 41% to 35% margin, men said she was not ready to be president — but women soundly rejected her, 48% to 25%.

The Sunday morning talking heads had lots of theories about why McCain picked Palin. Some claimed it was to appeal to Clinton supporters, while others doubted that any serious Clinton supporter would embrace a candidate who is anti-abortion and pro-NRA.

Others claimed McCain did it in an attempt to “shake things up” and to “reclaim his Maverick status.” This could be very true, as we all know how short-sighted Republicans tend to be! The buzz since Friday has been all about Sarah Palin.

But still others think McCain did it to shore up his support among evangelicals — the base of his party that has not truly embraced him. Tony Perkins, of Focus on the Family, in an interview with a cable news network indicated Palin’s conservative stance on social issues would make her a welcomed addition to the ticket.

So let’s think about this for a moment. McCain needed help wooing the religious right … and he needed help getting support from men. Could the MSM be wrong when they claim this selection was all about Hillary Clinton?

Gov. Palin did reference Sen. Clinton in her introduction speech on Friday. But when she mentioned Clinton’s name during a campaign stop on Saturday it went over like a lead balloon. Those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling don’t appear to carry much weight with a Republican crowd (of glass manufacturers!).

Let me share with you why I would not consider voting for Gov. Sarah Palin: 1) She’s anti-abortion, 2) opposes marriage equality, 3) and thinks creationism should be taught in public school science classes (which probably means she also opposes stem cell research), and 4) she’s a member of the NRA. That’s enough to disqualify her in my opinion.

And as to whether or not she is qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency — take THAT up with John McCain, and examine HIS judgement to lead. Does he really think — as stated by Cindy McCain on This Week with George Stephanopoulos this morning — that Gov. Palin has national security experience because Alaska is next to Russia? Good grief!

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sunday funnies

gov. tim “raising” kaine on real time

Is anyone besides me tired of hearing McCain operatives talk about Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine being on Obama’s “short list” and how Gov. Sarah Palin has as much experience as Kaine? The quick response to that should be: “Obama didn’t select Kaine.”

I thought Gov. Kaine did an excellent job on Real Time with Bill Maher last night. I haven’t been all that impressed with him in the past, but this appearance is making me rethink that. I still don’t agree with some of his positions, but he hit all the right notes in this interview!

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excitement builds for vp pick gov. sarah palin

“Hummmmmmm …”

“Sarah who?”

“oh, yeah …”

“talk to the hand …”

James Dobson and Tony Perkins of Focus on the Family react.

“…thank you Jebus”

“I’m voting Obama.”

Palin by comparison

Sen. John McCain chooses first-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. The Washington Post reports:

Republican presumptive presidential nominee John McCain introduced first-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential choice here Friday at a raucous rally before thousands of his supporters, saying she is the “running mate who can best help me shake up Washington.”

The selection of the little-known 44-year-old governor shook up the presidential race as well. It was a startling choice that McCain said would reinforce his reputation as a maverick but that Democrats quickly criticized as not meeting McCain’s stated goal of picking someone who would be ready to assume the presidency at a moment’s notice.

“She’s got the grit, integrity, good sense and fierce devotion to the common good that is exactly what we need in Washington today,” McCain said. “She knows where she comes from, and she knows who she works for.”

The selection of Palin guarantees one thing. Presidential politics will never be the same.

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Obama knocks it out of the stadium

One of my favorite lines of all the speeches tonight was delivered by a fellow from my home state of Indiana: “We need a president who puts Barney Smith before Smith Barney.”

Oh, and James Dobson and his Focus on the Family crowd must be really upset.  They have been praying for rain for months … and the Goddess wasn’t listening.

my favorite Biden moment

… was when the Senator, talking about his mother, said “… and when I got knocked down by guys bigger than me, and this is the God’s truth, she sent me back out and said bloody their nose so you can walk down the street the next day, and that’s what I did.” The camera cut to his mother and you could see her say “and that’s true!”

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In Memoriam – Del Martin

Today, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend. Del Martin, 87, passed away in San Francisco with Phyllis Lyon, her lifelong partner and spouse, by her side.

You simply cannot show a picture of Del (above right) without including Phyllis. They were partners for more than 55 years, and champions in the fight for basic civil rights for all of us.

In a press release from COLAGE they note:

Martin was one of the nation’s first and most visible lesbian rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism, violence, and racism. She is survived by spouse Phyllis Lyon, daughter Kendra Mon, son-in-law Eugene Lane, granddaughter Lorraine Mon, grandson Kevin Mon, sister-in-law Patricia Lyon and a vast, loving and grateful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender family.

“Today the LGBT movement has lost a true community treasure and role model,” reflected Beth Teper, COLAGE Executive Director. “I am reminded of the amazing chutzpah of Del and Phyllis. From an early age they recognized their right to love freely, to organize their community and to advocate for their rights. I have always appreciated Del and Phyllis’ long-time moral, emotional and material support of COLAGE and their recognition of the importance of youth and adults with LGBT parents in our movement. Our thoughts are with Phyllis and Kendra during this time of grieving and with the entire community as we reflect on Del’s amazing contributions to social justice and LGBT rights.”

Martin began working as an activist after receiving her degree in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. While working on a newspaper in Seattle, Martin met her partner Phyllis Lyon and the two began working on behalf of lesbians in their community. Martin and Lyon have devoted their lives to working towards LGBT equality, healthcare access, advocacy on behalf of battered women, and issues facing elderly Americans. Their many contributions over the past five decades helped shape the modern LGBT movement.

In 1955, Lyon and Martin were among the founders of the Daughters of Bilitis, the first lesbian rights organization. In 1956, they launched “The Ladder,” the first lesbian newsletter, which became a lifeline for hundreds of women isolated and silenced by the restrictions of the era. Del Martin was the first openly lesbian woman elected to the board of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and in 1971, encouraged the board to pass a resolution stating that lesbian issues were feminist issues. In 1995, Martin and Lyon were named delegates to the White House Conference on Aging by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. In 2004, Lyon and Martin became the first same-sex couple to be married in the state of California, and subsequently became plaintiffs in the California marriage case, helping to ensure that the fundamental right to marry under the California Constitution belongs to all couples, including same-sex couples.

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together.

“Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn’t be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her, and been her partner in all things,” Lyon said. “I also never imagined there would be day that we would actually be able to get married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed.”

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to honor Del’s life and commitment and to marriage equality through NCLR’s No On 8 PAC.

The documentary “No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon” tells their powerful story. It was released on their 50th anniversary. I remember thinking as I watched the film with them, how many heterosexual couples make it to 50 years?

Del Martin was an amazing woman, and she will be greatly missed.

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Sen. Hillary Clinton Knocks it Out of the Stratosphere

Sen. Hillary Clinton addresses the 2008 DNC

“No way. No how. No McCain.” ~ Sen. Hillary Clinton

Sen. Hillary Clinton gave an excellent speech tonight that should dispel all the pundits who have been saying she is only in this for herself.

She really nailed why John McCain must be defeated: “Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hang in the balance.”

On a night when we celebrate women gaining the right to vote, Sen. Clinton spelled out in no uncertain terms what is at stake for women in this election.

Chris Matthews asked Brian Williams if Obama must now take up the feminist cause of equality of opportunity for women. Williams responded:

“I don’t think there’s any way that he can avoid it. I think he must. Too many people came to the polls armed with hammers to break that glass ceiling… [Clinton's] candidacy meant too much to too many people, especially American woman to let that go … it’s too important a subtext. A question I posed to Tom [Brokaw], Chuck [Todd], and Peggy Noonan, if not Hillary Clinton then who? If not now, when?It’s been a generation since Geraldine Ferraro … when you look at the percentage of the population, and look at the year we’re having here, I think that is the part of the Barack Obama speech that had better be very, very well crafted for a mass audience.”

Women are 60% of the Democratic party, and the party platform is much more woman-friendly than it’s been in years — even adding back in the platform support for the Equal Rights Amendment.

The bar has now been set for Sen. Joe Biden tomorrow, and Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday and beyond.

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the media’s obsession with Clinton

Must read posts from the blogosphere:

Hillary Clinton speaks at convention. The press concocts a story
by Eric Boehlert

The Media’s Clintonitis
by Taylor Marsh

Hillary Sexism Watch, #109
by Melissa McEwan

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