I realize that politics is not for the faint of heart, it's bare-knuckled brawling, war by another name. However, I want to speak out against the unprecedented level of hatred directed at Nancy Pelosi, the most powerful woman in American history, the Speaker of the House in Congress, third in line for Presidential succession. I believe the Republicans have crossed the line between vicious political attacks that politicians have to endure, and ethical and moral violations that must be confronted.
Strong women scare Republicans and so it's not surprising that Nancy Pelosi has always been treated with disrespect by Republican leaders. Soon after becoming Speaker, Newt Gingrich had this to say; "She is a trivial politician, viciously using partisanship for the narrowist of purposes, and she dishonors the Congress by her behavior." When she proved to be not so trivial, the usual cast of Republican clowns tried to demean and humiliate her, they tried to make her name into a dirty word. They do this with President Obama as well, but there is something very different in their treatment of Nancy Pelosi.
Politico ran a story that is interesting because it notes the numerous attacks on Pelosi as a woman, not just a politician. They write, "what isn’t open to debate is that the waterboarding conflict has been accompanied by a cascade of attacks on the speaker, not as a leader or a legislator, but as a woman." They go on to describe how Pelosi has been called a hag, etc., the typical attacks on women involving their looks and/or femininity. I've stood by and watched this circus of fools get away with it for far too long and I'm not going to remain quiet any longer. Like Popeye says, "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!"
Two recent events have really gotten my blood boiling. The first one was when Pelosi's Congressional challenger, John Dennis, continued this pathetic line of attack last week. Dennis released a video casting Pelosi as the Wicked Witch of the West. How original. Of course, for the juveniles in the Republican Party, this is just what they've been waiting for and the video has had over a half million views.
The second item of news was when RNC Chairman Michael Steele announced this week the "Fire Pelosi Bus Tour". "Over the next six weeks, the bus will cover 14,000 miles, visiting more than 100 cities and towns in its quest to help oust House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) of California.
The idea that one political party would resort to this is appalling to me. Nancy Pelosi should be one of the great examples to our children. She should be a role model that every little girl and boy can look up to. Instead, we get a hateful campaign of ridicule and contempt that is unworthy of this great nation.
Nancy Pelosi has stood tall and gracious throughout it all. She has been a great example for all women. Unfortunately, the attacks against the House Speaker were really veiled attacks against women in general. The upcoming election is more about upsetting the only woman ever to get so far in American politics as anything else. It's almost as if the Republicans are saying, "How dare women think they can rise so far in OUR system. Men should rule this country. A man like John Boehner should sit in the seat Nancy Pelosi holds.
There have been more than fifty House Speakers in Congress and, until Nancy Pelosi, they were all men. That is the singular fact that the Republicans find so disturbing.
The Republicans have demonized Nancy Pelosi, but in the process they've attacked all women, they've waged a war against women climbing the ladder of success, they've tried to silence women's voices and make them cower on the sidelines. The Republicans have indeed stepped over the line. Their hatred towards Nancy Pelosi has shown their hostility toward women all over.
As many of you know, I have started a group called Barack's Backers which is designed to help Democrats get elected this November. Barack's Backers intends to mobilize the female electorate. We will not back down, we will fill Congress with Democrats who believe that woman are equal and deserve to be treated the same as their colleagues, that women should advance on their accomplishments, and be respected for what they achieve.
Today, I spent much of my morning contacting people in North Carolina to go out and protest Michael Steel's new rolling smear campaign. If you want to help, go to Steele's website, follow where the bus is going, and, if they show up in your neighborhood, go out and tell him what you think about his pathetic attempts to diminish one of this country's greatest female leaders.
Here's the schedule for this week;
Today: North Carolina Friday: South Carolina Saturday: Georgia Sunday: Florida Monday: Florida Tuesday: Georgia & Montgomery, Alabama