You go girl ... An unprecedented number of Republican women are running for their party's nomination in U.S. House and Senate primaries — or are already on their way to battle Democrats in the fall midterm elections. So many are campaigning that many conservative women are anticipating strong gains in their congressional numbers come November.
"This is a breakthrough moment," says Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, which raises money for female candidates who oppose abortion.
Fourteen Republican women are in the running for the U.S. Senate. In 2008, just three Republican women competed in the general election, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. And 94 are still vying for House seats, compared with 46 at about the same time in the primary cycle two years ago.
Also telling? Sixty of the 106 women who are challenging incumbents for House seats are Republicans — a sign, says Debbie Walsh, the center's director, that GOP women are increasingly willing to "put their hat in the ring," though the fall outcome remains unpredictable.
Spin that!In California, former eBay head Meg Whitman is expected to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination over state insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner for the seat being vacated by term-limited GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Attorney General Jerry Brown is the Democratic candidate.
And Palin-endorsed Carly Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard chief, has surged to a lead in the polls over two male challengers in the party's U.S. Senate contest.
The winner will face Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer in the fall.
Whitman and Fiorina, along with Republican Senate candidate and professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon in Connecticut, represent a new political trend, Walsh says, of female executives turning to politics.
In Nevada's Republican Senate primary, two women — establishment favorite Sue Lowden, a casino executive, and Tea Party-endorsed Sharron Angle — are locked in dead-heat combat for the opportunity to face Democratic Sen. Harry Reid in the fall. Angle is a former state legislator.
Politicos are also watching the GOP's gubernatorial primary in South Carolina, where state Rep. Nikki Haley, another Palin endorsee, leads the pack.
As for The Palin Effect .... When Palin appeared at a recent breakfast fundraiser for the Susan B. Anthony List, Dannenfelser called her the "wind in our sails" — someone who "embodies the energy" of what she characterized the new conservative women's movement.
Palin's life story — mother of five, including a son with Down syndrome, governor of Alaska, vice presidential nominee — has proved compelling to many conservative women.
... and the Salamander did grin.
<span>An unprecedented number of Republican women are running for their party's nomination in U.S. House and Senate primaries — or are already on their way to battle Democrats in the fall midterm elections.</span>
ReplyDeletebut...but...the Rethuglican party is nothing but a bunch of racist, homophobic, misogynists...how can this be????
<span>In California, former eBay head Meg Whitman is expected to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination...</span>
Shucks, I thought the article said Republicans, not RINOs. My mistake.
<span>And Palin-endorsed Carly Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard chief... </span>
Emphasis on "former", there. I think both Messrs Hewlett and Packard are spinning in their graves after what Ms. Fiorina did to their company. Poor judgement on that one, Governor.
I wouldn't vote for either one of them for dogcatcher, assuming I was still eligible to vote in Kal-ee-forn-ee-ahh. Oh well. Hell, I'd almost like to see Governor Moonbeam back in Sacramento, at least it was reasonably entertaining the last time he was there.
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Darnest thing is the self-proclaimed "feminists" will reject this, by my predictions, as these women being something like Stepford wives, because the Republican men are directing their lives in the background....all just a ploy you know...conservative women, by definition, must be ridiculed and demeaned to keep the facade intact.
ReplyDeleteOh, and won't it be fun to see how the Demoncratic men in the races react in their campaign ads/speeches/debates.....will they stand tall and not "hit" the women, or will they lay into them full force and use a line like "if you can't stand the heat, honey...."
ReplyDelete"<span>The winner will face Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer in the fall."</span>
ReplyDeleteWhat is Kaus, chopped liver?
I don't even want to think about the 'SPIN' aka 'attacks'. Nikki in SC is how it begins...
ReplyDeleteYep, GOH, a fair number of folks seem quite enamored of Ms. Fiorina, but I'm not one of them. I'll also agree that a healthy proportion of current (or former) HP employees would see eye-to-eye with you.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, maybe Ms. Whitman is the best the GOP can do for a California senatorial race, just like Scott Brown is the best to they could do in the People's Republic of Massachusetts. Take Mitt Romney. Piease! {rimshot} I doubt a genuine Reaganite could get elected in either state these days, much less a Goldwater.
If I lived in California, and it came down to Kaus vs. Fiorina, I'd slip 'em the Mickey.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Couldn't resist. :) But seriously, I would vote for Kaus.