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Series: Jessica Valenti column
2014 was an election of firsts for Republican women. But it wasn't a 'win' for women at all
Record numbers don’t matter if the party is still targeting women’s rights – and if elected women are still throwing their own gender under the bus
Under normal circumstances, a triumphant woman standing behind a podium giving a political victory speech would thrill me to the core. After all, what feminist worth her salt doesn’t like to see a woman win an election?
Me, when the winner is a Republican – because your gender doesn’t make you pro-woman, your actions do. And the Republican party is not just anti-“women’s issues”; it is anti-woman.
Gender parity in politics – even across the aisle – is essential, but it’s difficult not to bristle when I see women shilling for the GOP.
The official Republican platform
states that the party “affirm[s] the dignity of women by protecting the sanctity of human life” and wants to “empower them to choose life” – as if they wanted women to have a choice at all. Even the GOP’s efforts to ban women from combat is made to sound like a favor the party’s doing for women in uniform: “We support military women’s exemption from direct ground combat units”. The word “exemption” may sound better than “ban” but, once again, what the GOP wants for women is not an opt-out scenario – it is a method of forcibly keeping rights from us.
In a way, female Republicans almost
bother me more
than their male counterparts. I can almost understand why a bunch of rich, religiously conservative white men wouldn’t care about the reality of women’s day-to-day lives – they’ve never had to. But throwing other women under the bus? For what? Lower taxes? Three minutes on Fox News in the 3pm hour? It makes me wonder what is wrong with you.
Politics is personal. It’s not about a platform to which no one hews, or about some words on a teleprompter, or even some indecipherable language in a bill. My horror at Tuesday night’s election results springs from knowing the personal and economic degradation to which the Republican party is willing to subject American women – and women throughout the world – and that other women are helping them to do it.
Six new Republican women were elected to the US Congress this week as part of the Democrats’ staggering midterm defeat – including the
youngest woman ever elected
and the first black Republican woman in Congress. (The first black woman elected to Congress was the Democrat Shirley Chisholm, in 1968.) There will be six female Republican senators,
a record number for the GOP. There are now 100 women in Congress.
This may have been an election of firsts
for Republicans – and women – but it’s not a “win” for women. Equal representation is important, but it doesn’t equal justice.
“Raising the minimum wage, ending gender discrimination in pay, protecting reproductive rights – those are the victories for women,” Emily’s List communications director Jess McIntosh told me on Wednesday afternoon.
And, as we’ve learned from previous Republican women who’ve held national office – like House members Virginia Foxx , Michele Bachmann or Cathy McMorris Rogers – being a woman doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t support legislation that hurts women. And it doesn’t mean that, if your party jumps through hoops to make its misogyny seem benevolent, you won’t just line up and smile.
We can expect exactly more of the kind of poorly-shrouded sexism we’ve come to expect from Republicans in the lead-up to the 2016 election, the same condescension to women, and the same bafflegab about how they’re just trying to make our lives easier by restricting our options. But given that we’re going to have to listen to all that nonsense for a while, what I’d really like is for every elected woman Republican to explain to a room full of non-rich, non-white women why restricting abortion rights is a good use of our government’s time and energy, to tell them why their birth control isn’t a real medical need, and to discuss how women don’t really need equal pay or a fair wage because they need “real” choices.
Regardless of your gender, if you align yourself with a party that has historically and consistently targeted women’s rights, health and lives – let alone a party that pats women on the head as it strips away those rights from us – you should understand why women aren’t applauding in solidarity with you this week. And maybe you should be at least a little ashamed.
[Disclosure: Newly-elected Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman elected to Congress, is a college friend of my husband’s.]
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5 people, 10 commentsAdhamhchlannRecommend70I hope this helps you realise that there is no such thing as 'the sisterhood' and that people are complex and multi-faceted beings and don't just share corresponding beliefs because of matching genitalia.
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GrayArea AdhamhchlannThank goodness you are here to explain that to her in such an unpatronising way...
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TomatoKetchup GrayAreaThank goodness you are here to explain that to her in such an unpatronising way...I think it's rather patronizsing of the author to more or less declare conservative women as lesser women, who are somehow betraying the so called "sisterhood", just because they don't share her far-left liberal beliefs about issues that she defines they must share to be considered a strong an independent women vis-a-vis modern feminism issues.Other than i'd imagine that she is payed rather well to promote her ideology, who is she to really judge just who has and who isn't letting other women down and is a de facto bad role model to other women.I rather think that Senator Joni Ernst has achieved more in her life and sets a better example of just what women can accomplish if they just work hard and forget all this patriarchy fear mongering bullshit, than Ms Valenti's divisive grievance mongering has and ever will.
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TomatoKetchup TomatoKetchupIncidentally, if she hasn't already, may i suggest Ms Valenti read Sharyl Attkisson's book "Stonewalled: My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington." to hear another strong independent womans views, and to hear just how the liberal far left trade off the constant promotion of identity politics. It's their meat and drink.
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GrayArea TomatoKetchupwho is she to really judgeWho are you to judge whether she is to judge? And who am I to judge whether you are to judge whether she is to judge..?
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TomatoKetchup GrayAreaWho are you to judge whether she is to judge? And who am I to judge whether you are to judge whether she is to judge..?You got me there. Chicken and egg situation i suppose.But at least i'm not getting paid to divide people into identity groups.It's this type of divisive crap that has made modern politics so rotten and basically rendered it useless to achieve anything of any real importance.
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GrayArea TomatoKetchupIt's this type of divisive crap that has made modern politics so rotten and basically rendered it useless to achieve anything of any real importance.Oh come on. Look I'm no fan of identity politics to the exclusion of all else, but you must surely see that the problem in modern politics rests with both 'sides'. The left screams and the right screams back. Neither side engages in a patient exchange of reason and argument.Its tedious game everyone seems to think must be played. The 24 news creation, the talk shows, the twitter storms in a teacup and so on...This is modern politics. Its like watching the latest episode of the 13th season of a dying sitcom. You've seen the plots before, you know how the show plays out. The actors are as bored as the audience as they gurn and guffaw their way through the same tired script, there only for an ever bigger pay day. The characters are ever more more outrageous and unbelievable, the writers desperate to keep the audience watching.And everyone is just waiting for the show to be cancelled...
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TomatoKetchup GrayAreaI basically agree with everything you've said. But i know that this is going to sound childish, but at least as far as i can tell, it is something i can only describe as the virulent modern left who started all this dividing everything along gender, racial, cultural etc lines.Not just that, they basically deny that they are engaging in it and if anyone calls them out on it, they try to delegitimise the person, not their argument, or shut down the debate by saying they are guilty of one of the many newly created ism's or obia's.Just my opinion.
Show 7 more replies Last reply: 06 November 2014 3:22pm -
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UnstoppableSteveIn a way, female Republicans almost bother me more than their male counterparts. I can almost understand why a bunch of rich, religiously conservative white men wouldn’t care about the reality of women’s day-to-day lives – they’ve never had to. But throwing other women under the bus? For what? Lower taxes? Three minutes on Fox News in the 3pm hour? It makes me wonder what is wrong with you.
Same thing that's wrong with the poor people, or even averagely-paid people, who vote Republican. They do it because they believe lies."Democrats are communists like Stalin"
"Republicans love Jesus more"
"Abortion is the most important issue in politics"
"Healthcare means death panels"
"Obama wants to take my freedom"It's all a crock of nonsense, but enough poorly-educated people buy it and keep voting against their own interest. -
BalerionZinnRecommend51Much as I loathe to defend Republicans, this reeks of people not voting "the right way".The writer, prone of referring to men as a monolith, has done the same here with women.Just like Democrats take black people for granted.Just like Labour have taken the less well-off for granted."Yes of course you have a vote. Just vote the right way. *Pats head*"
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philipphilip99Recommend16[Disclosure: Newly-elected Elise Stefanik, the youngest woman elected to Congress, is a college friend of my husband’s.]I'm convinced that's missing some scare quotes.
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3 people, 4 commentswavypeasandgravyRecommend25It almost as if The Battle of The Sexes you are intent on waging is a total distraction, and the real issues are class and political elitism.
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Strummered wavypeasandgravyQuite - When living a hand to mouth existence, priorities lie elsewhere. Poverty is a great equaliser.
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Michael Thomas wavypeasandgravyIf only JV would actually pay attention to comments like yours. In one sentence you figured out something that has eluded her for years.
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2 people, 2 commentsStrummeredRecommend12Republican women (or Republicans) aren't interested in equality in any form, they wouldn't be Republicans otherwise. No, they won't feel any shame, they revel in their selfishness, it's all about the individual. They couldn't give a fuck in any meaningful sense that you'd approve of about gender politics either.
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chrystophylax StrummeredThis comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.
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5 people, 9 commentsJonAustinRecommend39Maybe women who vote GOP have simply decided for themselves that you are wrong on virtually everything?
Women have agency, yet again you're denying it except when it suits you. You may regret their choices, but don't tell them they are all colluding in their victimhood.-
adnorsophia JonAustinYour missing the point that she is making and it is this: these women who won do not represent ALL WOMEN, they represent a talking parrot, who continues to trample on women's rights that have already been established and should NOT be open for debate or change at this time. These states in a very deceptive manner are forcing their believe on women and trespassing on thier constitutional right. Similiar to how these GOP people feel about their gun rights they scream and holler about that and do not want their constitutional right trampled on but they are okay with trespassing on anothers rights because they think it is wrong. Right or wrong is irrelevant, what is irrelevant is seperation of Church and State and honering all citizens and if that right has already been established do not trespass and if you believe it is wrong then don't do it and leave those who see it different the hell alone. It is a personal matter, period the end of the damn story. Or, continue on the path they are sowing and when the pendulam swings back the other way then they will weep. As they cross boundaries it could make other women who have respected other married women's boundaries and the law of marriage and what not want to cross boundaries that they never would have crossed before. Something to think about when people play with fire.
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RvonMises adnorsophia
Can you name a single person who would be able to represent all women? There's a lot of people out there, and, barring the Pope and all Catholics, I can't think of that many people who could represent a large, multifaceted group of people. And the only reason the Pope is able to do so is that being Catholic is a choice, whereas being a Woman isn't.these women who won do not represent ALL WOMEN -
adnorsophia RvonMisesYou honor ALL WOMEN staying true to the separation of Church and State and leave an already established constitutional right alone. Period. By doing that again those who see it as wrong then don't do it and those who don't let them be. Period. They are picking and choosing constitutional rights that they think should not be trespassed on, like guns, but okay with trampling on another. Leave God out of it, know one knows for sure if it is right or wrong but facts are there about medical. As I said before right and wrong are irrelevant, it's about what is established and church and state and cherry picking constitutional rights. As I have said before, vengeance is the bastard son of justice, and there is no justice in what they are doing to women in regards to this and it is so VERY deceptive. Period.
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adnorsophia RvonMisesLOL, don't need to as I already proved, you can't dispute that so you try to make a point out of nothing. Therefore, your point stays irrelevant.
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Kaitain adnorsophiaNeither does Valenti represent all women. At least the Republicans don't wake up every morning convinced of the universality of their own opinions.
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RvonMises adnorsophiaIt's a bit hard to make out any pint in your comments, but so far as I can tell, there's something about 'honouring women'. Perhaps I'm a bit odd, but I think the best way of doing that is by assuming they are able to make their own decisions, even if those decisions might not be good for other women. Treat people as individuals not groups.
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Matthew Reynolds adnorsophia"You honor ALL WOMEN staying true to the separation of Church and State and leave an already established constitutional right alone. Period."But all women don't agree. This removes your 'period' emphatically.I'm considered in some circles a somewhat moderate on abortion rights, in that I'd accept certain compromises regarding rape, incest and abortion where the woman has been deprived of choice. But I once said this to a woman colleague, and she became really indignant - not for the reason you'd imagine. No, she was indignant because her daughter had been raped, her daughter had decided to keep the child, and as far as she was concerned I was talking about legitimizing the murder of your grandchild.You might be surprised to discover that many women do not believe that feminism is defined by your support for infanticide. Indeed, many women see the support of infanticide as a uniquely vile hatred of the feminine, because women and men are in almost all areas equal, but that one thing that makes women distinctive and which is central to feminine is childbirth. And these women see promotion of infanticide as a perverse hatred of the feminine, a sexist belief that the best women is a man with breast, a sexist belief that women are at their best when they are willing vaginas and barren uteruses, a hatred of motherhood and children that is at complete odds with love of women and which has had as its most practical consequence the single largest crime against women in the history of humanity - the murder of an excess of 150 million babies for the simple crime of being girls in the last 50 years alone.If you think I'm opposed to abortion, you ought to meet those women. They think I'm a woman hater for not being more opposed to abortion in more absolute and complete terms. They think that if you support abortion at all, it's because you secretly hate women.
Show 6 more replies Last reply: 06 November 2014 3:21pm -
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5 people, 5 commentsjamier9Recommend36Sorry that the electorate didn't endorse your personal views. Democracies are great, aren't they?
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UnstoppableSteve jamier9I can't believe I'm about to defend Jessica Valenti, but she didn't say that all women should be forced to vote a certain way; she said that she didn't understand why women would vote for a party that didn't have women's best interests at heart.Pretty reasonable observation, especially by Valenti standards.
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deadcatclub UnstoppableSteveExactly. People rightly wonder why working class people would support UKIP or the Tories. This is exactly the same thing.
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talkstoheadlines UnstoppableSteveAnd who are you to determine what these women's "best interests" are?
Show 2 more replies Last reply: 06 November 2014 2:34pm -
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StNicklausThis comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.
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3 people, 3 commentshishpvRecommend31Jessica,
You really ought to get out more. Meet some real Republicans. You might not agree with a word they say, and that's OK. But your world is populated by cartoon character Republicans/conservatives (not always the same thing).
Besides you can't one week bemoan the lack of women representation in some profession or center of power, and the following week paint an increasing number of women in a center of power as meaningless. -
1 person, 2 commentsTheDogShoutererRecommend10Perhaps you should understand that some women are applauding in solidarity with the female republican voter — all the other female republican voters.
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TheDogShouterer TheDogShoutererOr maybe you're suggesting it was just the men who voted in the female candidates? That doesn't seem likely — even in Valentiworld.
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6 people, 8 commentsErnekidRecommend13Jessica seems to have a one track mind. She seems obsessed about Women. I hope her next piece is on her favourite board games or something.
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StNicklaus ErnekidRecommend23I think you'll find that Board Games are the most sexist form of leisure there is...Look at monopoly. A rich white old MAN. Typical.Look at Chess. The Queen running around to defend the King,. TypicalPlease don't give her any ideas
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TheDogShouterer ErnekidThat would be Cluedo. she always plays Miss Scarlett. Or Ms Scarlett as she's been renamed in Jessica's copy of the game. In others modifications, the professor has become plum-less, and Mrs Peacock wears trousers.
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Stonefist StNicklausRecommend12Snakes and ladders - phallocentric and DIYism. A game for men, by men.BAN THIS SICK FILTH!
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Stonefist StNicklausRisk - a load of men marching across the globe with their phallic rifles and cannons and subjugating women and people of colour everywhere.Sexist!
Racist!
Imperial hawkishness!
Warmongering!
Colonialism!
Show 5 more replies Last reply: 06 November 2014 2:23pm -
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bubbletapeagree with the general message of the piece, but, yes, it is time to recognize that some women believe patriarchy (and the gendered roles and stereotypes, which to them are real, that go with it) to be the preferred system, just like there are men who don't. there are women who feel it is in their best interest and appropriate for men to be soldiers, not women, and that women are the default caregiver, that abortion hurts women, etc. they aren't selling out for lower taxes, it is what they believe. I personally disagree with that and can feel dumbfounded when people vote against what (I think) is their own economic and cultural self-interest, but for some reason they just disagree with me.
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ID1154206"Raising the minimum wage, ending gender discrimination in pay, protecting reproductive rights --those are victories for women."No, those are empty campaign rhetorical statements: the sound and fury that mean nothing.The Republican women just elected to Congress will hopefully concentrate on real issues that affect women: economic growth, increased opportunities for all, safety and security at home, more efficient and competent government. And the rights of the individual woman to choose her own way of life depending on her own desires.
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IANMIDDXHuge healthcare insurance bills have an effect on ordinary people's lives. Of course, the Republicans will probably just try and scrap these when the healthcare should be funded by taxation instead of the massive military and prison budget.
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2 people, 2 comments6060842Recommend23I thought you promoted some somewhat republican attitudes in the Amy Poehler article. Why aren't these women exhibiting the same "me first, I don't care about what you think" attitude?
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James RogersRight, Jessica! This from CNN..." A bright spot from Tuesday night that needs more attention: The Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University reports Americans will now have at least 100 women in Congress -- a three-fold increase over 25 years. "
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StVitusGerulaitisRecommend10“Raising the minimum wage, ending gender discrimination in pay, protecting reproductive rights – those are the victories for women,” Emily’s List communications director Jess McIntosh told me on Wednesday afternoon.She did, did she? Well I do hope you set her straight on this "ending gender discrimination in pay" nonsense and pointed her towards your Tuesday article, which she clearly didn't read.
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KellyMac234This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.
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4 people, 4 commentsKyokoBCNRecommend18You are wrong on three levels:
-Women are not going to vote for an option just because they have a vagina. As in any big group (and they are 50% minimum of the population), there are many different political opinions.
-Women are not always driven by women's issues when they vote. For instance voting for the party they think will improve the economy better is going to be generally much more important than reproductive rights.
-And last but not least, not all women agree with feminism, or with all their proposals. For instance most women would like more female presence in many areas, but a lot of them do not agree with mandatory quotas. That does not make them traitors.-
AnotherLimey KyokoBCNVoting for the economy at the expense of clean water, clean air and a pollution free planet to pass on to their kids and grandkids certainly does make them traitors though ! If the economy is all they are able to focus on they should not even have any reproductive rights at all, the planet and future generations don't need any voters with that degree of blatant indifference to real issues that affect us all in more important ways than just fiscal ones.Lady, you are wrong on not just three levels but all levels.
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alex13 AnotherLimeyNo as many will not believe in 'climate change' or they think life begins at inception, now I think they are wrong about the first and right about the second but would not ban abortion. There are many women who believe they have equality or think that gender issues are low on the equalities problem scale. It looks to me a lot of people think some people think that because you are of some identity you should think one way, I have met many intelligent people of different view points, none has said I would vote for party or person X due to their race gender or what have you. I don't see what the issue is the choice between one or another right wing party, like the UK there needs to be some new people views to come forward. To say a woman should vote Democrat or Labour due to their gender is no diferent from telling me a man that I should vote Republican or Conservative, Ill vote for who I think offers the best options even if its not one of them at all.
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KellyMac234Recommend13After all, what feminist worth her salt doesn’t like to see a woman win an electionWait, I thought feminism was about equal opportunities for all? Why would you favor women if that is your philosophy? You give yourself away, Jessica. -
2 people, 2 commentsHospitalWingI have to say you are remarkably judgemental for someone's whose parents were Buddhists Mrs Valenti.
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Stonefist HospitalWingTeenage rebellion that's lasted well into adulthood.It'd be almost endearing if the Graun wasn't humouring her so much.
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bimballaceReally. Better some latter-day Teddy Kennedy, sexual assaults and "waitress sandwiches" notwithstanding.Right? That would appear to be the argument.
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3 people, 3 commentsKellyMac234What would be a victory for women? You'll have to fill in the blanks. I made a couple of guesses, but my comment was moderated.
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2 people, 2 commentsJJRichardson36.6% of eligible voters actually voted.
Another example of the vibrant Democracy of the US.
They deserve what they get. -
3 people, 3 comments
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alex13 AGaunticleExcuse me the Democrats are right wing, people like Valenti are not left wing, don't hear them talking about those in poverty or the homeless. Only mention of workers rights is when it comes to equal pay, they would talk of a living wage not min wage etc. Given the article advocating pay women more I doubt Valenti has many socialist thoughts of things like equality and poverty eradication, more advantage being given to her and her group. Not a conservative either though, bit totalitarian though.
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TheDogShoutererRecommend10I know, what is it with these Republican women? It's almost as if they don't have the sames views as JV.
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2 people, 2 commentsJamesDavidRecommend17My God, you mean women aren't just some collective interest-group, and can have different opinions on controversial issues? Almost as if, when taken as individuals, they have minds of their own, and don't always act or vote the way you think they should?I suppose you had to be disillusioned sooner or later.By the way, here's another earth-shattering realisation: not all women are feminists, and not all feminists are women.
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Stonefist JamesDavidnot all feminists are women.The last man who said that to her was left bleeding in a gutter.You've got stones.
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Cooper2345Jessica, I dearly hope that The Guardian keeps giving you space to write stuff like this.. Opinions like yours are golden for the GOP. Like Udall in Colorado or Wendy Davis in Texas found out the hard way, your alleged GOP war on women doesn't sell. It has not only proven to be a lie, but a losing proposition. So by all means, please keep it up.
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AGaunticleRecommend15Once again Valenti demonstrates she isn't a pro woman at all, just an ideologue who believes she is entitled to dictate to all other women what is right for women, what they should want, what they should believe, and how they should behave. If these other women have the temerity to disagree with Valenti, well they are just anti woman.Ms Valenti, these Republican women are just as pro woman as you claim to be, their views on what is good for women are just as valid as your views and they are just as entitled as you to call themselves feminists if they so choose.
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adnorsophiaI would like to add one more thing in regards to my comment it has been said that vengence is the bastard child of justice. Their is no justice in what they are doing to a women's constitutional right.
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pdboxerSo Republican women get off their asses and do something for themselves, grab and create their own opportunities, and that's bad for women?For women who don't want to get off their asses yes."But how can we claim we are being discriminated against and need government assistance to hand everything to us on a plate, when these pesky republican women are just going ahead and grabbing it for themselves?"I imagine these kind of women must hate the likes of Thatcher, Merkel and (soon) Hillary Clinton.
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2 people, 2 comments
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6 people, 6 commentsLennart BilénIt was a great day for real women, not for the petty ideologues that do not accept women with moral convictions, love of God and respect for life.
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Kris Weibel Lennart BilénSo democrats have no moral convictions???No love of God??? No respect for life??? Exactly what century are you living?
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Matthew Reynolds Kris WeibelThe 21st. The one where many ideologues will promote devotion to infanticide as the touchstone for what it means to respect women, decry the religious as insane and delusional, and declare that morality is merely a social cultural construct. Not all democrats believe anything of the sort, but many of the more visible voices do.
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Booboyboo Lennart BilénWho could not love a god with such moral convictions? Now bring me the VIrgin who are the spoils of war.
Respect Innit.They fought against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every man. 8 Among their victims were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. 9 The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as plunder. 10 They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps. 11 They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals, 12 and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho.13 Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. 14 Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who returned from the battle.15 “Have you allowed all the women to live?” he asked them. 16 “They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and enticed the Israelites to be unfaithful to the Lord in the Peor incident, so that a plague struck the Lord’s people. 17 Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.
Who could not l -
Cheryl Adam Lennart BilénYou have no idea what a real woman is, and as a real woman, I can say that your make-believe god and "respect for life" are a sham and a joke that have nothing to do with morality.
Show 3 more replies Last reply: 06 November 2014 3:14pm -
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JonPurrtreewhat feminist worth her salt doesn’t like to see a woman win an election?EEeeh, when i were a lad, seeing feminists pissed off with a woman winning elections was pretty normal.
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2 people, 3 commentsrrrahu1You see, Jessica? When you write something sensible you don't get roasted in the comments.All of us men are not just women-hating, mansplaining, trolls.May the pattern continue!
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Stonefist rrrahu1All of us men are not just women-hating, mansplaining, trolls.Same way all women aren't just man-hating, womanagging shrews.It's almost like people are people with a dazzling variety of opinions and aren't two monolithic blocks like the identity politics vultures would have us believe. No money in that for them.
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2 people, 2 comments
Kris WeibelOnce again Jessica is spot on. I will never understand how any women could be a Republican. Yes, look at the frigging PLATFORM ladies. You are your own worst enemy. Yeah I too can get when rich old men don't care about women, nor will they ever. Women should stand united against this epidemic of misogyny.
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Strangest Kris WeibelSo only poor old men care about women? Or is it all men and only the rich ones matter? It's hard to know what you mean. Women are mostly united against misogyny but you just choose from one column and ignore the rest.
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Marc VelletriMaybe Jessica because you take the most extreme positions on the three issues you mentioned. Abortion on demand even in the third trimester vs. limits to the first 20 weeks (can't make up your mind by the time you are 5 months along?); Universal free contraception vs. responsibility on the user according to ability to pay; and we already have an equal pay law, this new one was invented for election purposes.
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2 people, 2 commentstalkstoheadlinesIt makes me wonder what is wrong with you [female Republicans]I don't know, maybe you could talk to them? Find out why the Republican party appeals to them?
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alex13 talkstoheadlinesI would think that its the same as some people will vote for the Democrats in that the over all ideas on offer seem better to them. I would not expect a woman to vote one way due to them being pro free sanitry products if they think that the same would make them poorer over all. Some people think you should vote for group X due to gender or race etc, hell we have never had it along class lines why do they think it will change due to other things.
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saintzenoThis comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.
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ath716OK, Jessica, let me offer a few words of comfort:The Democrats ran a good campaign. Their grassroots supporters throughout the country worked really hard. They made their case for women, they made their case for the working class. Some of them (could have been more) made their case on Obamacare. It was a tough environment. And it didn't work this time with this electorate. McConnell is back. Snyder and Walker brutalized labor and still somehow got reelected. Brownback and LePage won even after all their tea party craziness. Texas practically outlawed abortion, and Greg Abbot romped to a more than 20 point win over Wendy Davis. The country has another four years of these guys. Joni Ernst basically cut off Harry Reid's balls. And frankly, the margin in the Senate looks high enough that regaining it in 2016 might be impossible. And you can forget about the House until sometime in the next decade.(Well, I didn't say it was comfort for you)
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nativeenglishwriterIf women want any change I propose they shoud go to the polling office. Turnout was 36,6%
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Matthew Reynolds"Me, when the winner is a Republican – because your gender doesn’t make you pro-woman, your actions do."Surely being 'pro-woman' means well being for women and not simply for a collection of liberal causes of the moment?I think the problem here ultimately has come down to you mistaking 'pro-woman' for 'pro-me', with your implicit assumption that all women have the same wants and needs as Jessica Valenti. If it doesn't serve what you think serves Jessica's desires, you call it 'anti-woman' even if that means being against other women. And you are baffled to think that 'women' isn't a team where everyone is alike, is in the same position, and has the same opinion.And it never occurs to you to think, "Wait a minute, isn't assuming that individual women can be represented by a single stereotype of women the very definition of sexism?"It amuses and saddens me at the same time, that this article summarized would simply be, "Some women are gender traitors." Think about it.
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Todd Owens"Raising the minimum wage, ending gender discrimination in pay, protecting reproductive rights – those are the victories for women,” Emily’s List communications director Jess McIntosh told me on Wednesday afternoon.""Now, I never thought I’d find myself arguing against something in the US Equal Pay Act, and I understand that men may not exactly love the idea of taking pay cuts – or giving up power more broadly – in the name of gender justice. But the scales have been tipped toward the men for too long, and if fixing a huge systemic inequality means that some guys’ paychecks need to take a hit – I’m always OK with privileging the marginalized."The author of this piece doesn't support gender equality in the workplace either. Don't fall for this nonsense Guardian folk.
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Silvano WueschnerWhy cheapen the success of women in politics just because they have a belief system different from yours? It speaks to your lack of intellectual maturity. Typical anachronistic socialist speak as in “don’t you know we are doing this because it is good for you!” Not all Republicans have the mindset you ascribe to them in your article. One could easily argue that the policies of the Democratic party have been anti women, especially those of the welfare type. Again not all democrats are in favor of those either. It really is not intellectually mature to paint an entire party with a broad brush! You need to open your mind quite a bit before you can garner the respect of the broader public!
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