"I've gotten to know a lot of political leaders over the years that I've been an advocate for women's rights. I know the difference between those who advocate as a political position and those who understand the reality of women's lives."To which the Hillary Clinton camp replied:
"I would argue that Hillary has a really good sensibility, as well, of what it's like to be a woman," the head of NARAL's New York chapter, Kelli Conlin, said with a chuckle.Ellen Malcom is entirely right here. This is patently absurd argumentative ground, and, according to The Sun story, dates back to Michelman's ire at Clinton for her 2005 "tragic choice" abortion speech. Unfortunately for Michelman (and, by extension, Edwards), NARAL's current president, former Montana state legislator Nancy Keenan, shares Clinton's philosophy that focusing on preventing unwanted pregnancies as an abortion-reduction strategy is a good way to preserve choice. Then there's this issue, which I wrote about in 2005:The leader of a group that endorses and funds female candidates supportive of abortion rights, Ellen Malcolm of Emily's List, said Mr. Edwards's sensitivity can only go so far. "Every once in a while we get in a primary race where a man says he's the best woman in the race. I've never seen a candidate win with that argument yet. It's just ridiculous," she said.
I expect that male politicians and pundits are not always cognizant of the way that men who are vehemently pro-choice can come across as creepy and irresponsible to some women. This has nothing to do with those women being opposed to choice; it has to do with a broader sub-rosa argument this country has been having for decades about male irresponsibility and untrustworthiness and the way that a lot of women in contemporary society wind up feeling used and cast aside by men. This argument and social worry lies at the heart of some of our most prominent media obsessions...Such stories ricochet through a social landscape split apart by divorce and often ambivalent about its American Pie-style sexual ethics.If Michelman wants to drag Edwards into that territory, Clinton's folks should cheer her on. But Edwards might want to consider getting some prominent female surrogates with credibility on less divisive issues. Besides, anyone who knows anything about women's voting patterns knows that choice issues are not vote movers for single women, the key demographic group Edwards is obviously trying to woo away from Clinton.
ADDENDUM: I should also note (via TPM's Election Central) that Rush Limbaugh is using statements by Edwards' leading female surrogate, Michelman, to paint him as effeminate. Rush is, of course, disgusting and wrong-headed. But Democrats and progressives should focus on the real culprit behind such attacks -- the misogynistic idea that everything female is weak and inferior and not to be taken seriously -- rather than get sucked into defending each other's masculinity against every insult. Doing so would lead to these attacks losing some of their power. Until that time, I'm afraid I'm inclined to agree with Ruth Rosen.
--Garance Franke-Ruta
