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Jul
30
I really should not be surprised and yet, I am. From CQ Politics:
The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting 80 Democratic-held House districts in 2010, according to Texas Rep. Pete Sessions , chairman of that GOP campaign unit.
…
The NRCC used the occasion to unveil a list of the first 13 candidates for possible inclusion in its “Young Guns” program for targeted House races.
• Martha Roby, challenging Rep. Bobby Bright in Alabama’s 2nd District
• Van Tran, challenging Rep. Loretta Sanchez in California’s 47th
• Cory Gardner, challenging Rep. Betsy Markey in Colorado’s 4th
• Charles Djou, seeking a Democratic open seat in Hawaii’s 1st
• Vaughn Ward, challenging Rep. Walt Minnick in Idaho’s 1st
• Adam Kinzinger, challenging Rep. Debbie Halvorson in Illinois’ 11th
• Andy Harris, challenging Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr. in Maryland’s 1st
• Jon Barela, challenging Rep. Martin Heinrich in New Mexico’s 1st
• Ex-Rep. Steve Pearce, challenging Rep. Harry Teague inNew Mexico’s 2nd
• Frank Guinta, challenging Rep.Carol Shea-Porter in New Hampshire’s 1st
• Ex-Rep. Steve Chabot, challenging Rep. Steve Driehausin Ohio’s 1st
• Steve Stivers, challenging Rep.Mary Jo Kilroy in Ohio’s 15th
• Dennis Ross, the only candidate on the list running for a seat currently held by a Republican; he is running in Florida’s 12th Districtto succeed GOP Rep. Adam H. Putnam , who is running for state agriculture commissioner.
NB:
1. Two of these races are in Ohio.
2. Five of the thirteen races are against women who are Democrats and won.
3. One – just one – of the THIRTEEN “Young Guns” is a woman.
4. The one woman who is running is from Sessions’ home state of Alabama.
How can a political party speak about wanting (let alone deserving) to be in the majority again and yet continue to deprive its own leadership pipeline of what 2008 taught us was an essential, critical, life-giving element: women?
It’s not only that I don’t get it, I mostly just think it is unbelievably wrong and stupid. There – I said it. I was going to write “unintelligent” but the fact is, it’s stupid. Why is it stupid?
1. Because it is undeniably evident that part of why the Democrats have gotten into the majority has been by recruiting, training and running women. Women who very often win. And win over men and other women alike.
2. Again – just look at who the “Young Guns” will be facing – five Democratic women. This Democratic Party reality of running women candidates who can win is not only not going to change, it’s going to become even more evident. And it reflects, ultimately, what voters are choosing.
It’s about the voters, not the leaders. Ugh.
The GOP leadership’s head in the sand stuff is just gobsmacking.
It’s your party and you can kill it off if you want to by starving it this way. But don’t say you didn’t get the memo.
Hattip to The Fix for heads up on the story.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:07 am July 30th, 2009 in Congress, Democrats, Gender, Government, Ohio, Politics, Social Issues, Women, conservatives, democracy, leadership, senate
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Jill,
I know there are several very talented GOP women out there… I work with several on a daily basis. I have been trying t figure out the reasons behind the data and can’t. There is no good explanation of why there aren’t more women GOP’ers who run for office or are campaign managers, communication directors etc. We do exist, and a lot of us do really want to succeed in this business, and make a difference. I have found it very difficult to move up the ranks but keep pushing, politics is a passion of mine and when one door closes I turn around and look in a different direction for a detour. Most women that I come a cross however don’t do this. They give up, and maybe therein lies one of the problems. I have big aspirations, and no matter what I am not going to allow anyone to stand in my way. I work just as hard, sometimes harder, than some of the men out there. I have just as much experience and just as much to offer. I really think it comes down to my post about women…
http://kylesisk.typepad.com/sisker/2009/02/the-gops-problem-with-female-candidates.html
Men in the GOP are typically “old-fashioned” and still do not see women as capable of standing in their shoes. The polling numbers however will show that you either get the women on your side and work with them or you will lose! A new poll out from the Tarrance Group shows that 57% of women approve of Barack Obama. Why is that? Because he “cares” his campaign appealed to women. Until the GOP realizes this we will continue to lose elections and viable candidates.
Nicole Beckwith
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