A few months ago, the Republicans accused Senator Obama of using the race card. Now they are going to use the gender card to mitigate or prevent any criticism of Sara Palin. They have already released an ad saying the Obama campaign was disrespectful to Sara Palin. Their strategy is to use the gender card to prevent sharp and pointed questions from the media, to make Biden afraid to confront Palin on the issues at the debate and to make phony accusations after the debate that Joe Biden was condescending to Palin and the questions were sexist even though Gwen Iffil is the moderator. They want Palin to look like a victim, to make it appear that the liberal press and democratic party is treating her unfairly and are out to get her and her family, and to create a backlash by women voters.
We need to develop a strategy to stop or challenge the McCain's dishonest use of the Gender Card. We do not want to promote the Republican's "Bigotry of Low Expectations".
Laura Bush initiated the first salvo for this Republican Gender War prior to the Republican convention. It continues to escalate and the Democratic Party must confront it head on to effectively address this issue and call McCain out on this deception. The media as usual will buy into McCain's lies and bullshit. Don't get me wrong, there are legitimate gender biases and issues and they should be addressed. However, we need to fight against the ones that are not legitimate, but used to distract and keep us from talking meaningfully about the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, education, energy problems and yes gender and sexual biases. As you can see the Republicans will pull anything out of their bag of tricks to win. They will act like they are the defenders of women's rights when they have historically voted against programs e.g. "equal pay" that support women.
Laura Bush warns Dems away from anti-Palin sexism
First lady Laura Bush said today that sexism aimed at Sarah Palin was a very real prospect and suggested Democrats watch what they say about the Alaska governor and John McCain's ticketmate.
The other side will have to be particularly careful," Bush said in an interview on Fox News from St. Paul, "because that’s something we all looked at."
Questioned about whether Palin may face sexism from the media in the way Hillary Rodham Clinton supporters claim she did, Bush said: "I think that's a possibility."
The first lady, who had been planning to speak to the GOP convention tonight before Gustav scrambled the schedule, expressed pride in Palin.
"I’m going to get what I wanted, which is to be able to vote for a Republican woman," Bush said. "People, as they get to know her, are going to be so impressed with her grit and her sensible judgment."
"She has shown how terrific women can be, and how strong women can be, in office."
We need to work the media and provide Senator Obama some draft talking points to counter the use of the Gender Card. Here are a few examples:
- John McCain continues to play the gender card to disguise his lack of support for Women issues. He doesn't support equal pay for equal work. He doesn't support health care for working women and their children.
- We believe Sara Palin would like to be treated like all of the other candidates, It's a shame she's being marginalized with this gender card issue that only distracts from the nation's business.
- We don't believe she would want any special privileges because she is a woman. As she stated in previous interview concerning Senator Clinton: "When I hear a statement like that coming from a woman candidate with any kind of perceived whine about that excess criticism or, you know, maybe a sharper microscope put on her, I think, man, that doesn’t do us any good. Women in politics, women in general wanting to progress this country. I don’t think it’s, it bodes well for her -- a statement like that." She appears to believe like we all do that the use of the gender card undermines what all women believe in equality for everyone and being judged by our own merits.
- Palin should be vetted like all candidates but the Republicans are going to undermine her with the use of the gender card to disguise her lack of credentials and command of the facts.
- Women want to be judged on their merits not their gender.
- There they go again dropping the gender card. Is McCain afraid their candidate can't deal with the issues? It makes me wonder about his decision making ability. How will she be able to deal with the tough decisions and Nations like Russia, China, Iran if she hides behind her gender?
- We believe in equality and opportunity for everyone...I believe Sara Palin would want to be judged by the same standards as all of our candidates.
We need to get started now. Gender bias and inequality is real and making false accusations undermines all of our efforts to address gender issues effectively. Support Senators' Obama and Biden. Let's win this election!