Female Republicans defend party against 'anti-women' charge

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43493385/ns/politics-capitol_hill/t/female-republicans-defend-party-against-anti-women-charge/?fb_ref=story_text&fb_source=home_oneline


An early skirmish for women's votes in 2012 has broken out in the House — among women. A prominent Democrat fired the first shot by claiming that majority Republicans are waging a "war on women." And now, Republican women are returning fire by raising their profiles, making clear what they stand for and, implicitly, who they are not: Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann.

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"The Republican agenda is indeed pro-woman," said freshmen Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D. "It is pro-woman because it is pro-small business, pro-entrepreneur, pro-family and pro-economic growth."

-snip-

In political terms, the story of the Republican woman is the tale of a slow climb up the rungs of power through the ranks of a party overwhelmingly dominated by white males. Even after the 2010 elections put Republicans back in control of the House with a record nine new GOP women, men still dominate the party's ranks, its leadership and its committee chairmanships. Of 75 women now serving in the House, 24 are Republicans in a chamber the party controls 240-193. Only one of those 24 GOP women, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, chairs a full committee.

-snip-

As for Wasserman Schultz' "anti-women" war cry, Ros-Lehtinen brushes it off as the words of a new political committee chairwoman looking to build support.

"She's got to fire up her base," Ros-Lehtinen said, describing Wasserman Schultz as a close friend. "In her heart of hearts, Debbie knows that the Republican Party is not anti-woman."
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in my heart of hearts I know that Ros-Lehtinen is a bought woman and I brush her off.

[sufrommich]

1. Anti choice is anti women. Period. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

2. If the GOP isn't 'anti-women', then nothing is.

[iwishiwas]

3. BINGO!

[RainDog]

5. +1000000 n/t

[w8liftinglady]

4. I've seen how "Pro-women" the Republican mindset is.

They "Say" they are pro-family- yet have removed evverything possible to help a woman support her family,continue her education,provide healthcare for her children,receive a living wage.
Pro-family my ass.

[Maru Kitteh]

15. Exactly! n/t

[HockeyMom]

6. Kinder, Kuche, Kirche

Children, Kitchen, and Church. In a nutshell, this is the Republican's view of women. I suppose these Republican women want this too. Fine for YOU, my dear, if that is what you want, but don't push it in other women's faces.

[hfojvt]

7. Noem is wrong on all counts

the Republican party is NOT "pro small business". Most of the breaks they allegedly give to small businesses really go to big businesses, putting real small businesses at even more of a competetive disadvantage.

Same for their claim to be "pro entrepreneur".

And "pro economic growth"? Once again, just a hollow claim. Their only plan for growth is to "cut taxes". Which they claim will create all sorts of growth. First of all, the growth has not been that great and secondly, the benefits from the growth mostly confer on the top 5%.

As for pro family? Well, the families that fall into poverty and right through the safety net that Noem and her ilk are determined to weaken. The families that lose funding for their schools and the families which cannot afford health care for their children, and the families who are losing, or paying more for, retirement benefits and health care are certainly not being helped. No, at best, Republican policies will only help families in the top 20% and even many of them will not benefit from a society that becomes more desperate and more violent all for the benefit of those who already have the most. (Witness the executive director who was killed at a car wash http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/11598141.html)

[RainDog]

10. true - they are NOT pro small biz and not pro entrepreneur

their tax policies indicate this reality as well as their refusal to understand the value of universal health care for small bizzes and entrepreneurs.

the decline in wages indicates anti-woman policy - and that decline is directly related to the republican love of corporate interests rather than the interests of everyone else in this nation.

...not to mention their quest to deny poor elderly women health care or their love of abortion - defunding planned parenthood, according to a recent study, will result in a 33% increase in abortions.

Republicans : the abortion party.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Phyllis Schlafly Redux

She dedicated the Seventies to defeating the Equal Rights Amendment, claiming women had the right to be discriminated against.

[Taverner]

9. I would love to see Coultergeist try to weasel her way out of her comments

Like women shouldn't vote, hold office, etc...

[hifiguy]

11. More chickens shilling for

the Colonel. :puke:

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. The GOP platform is anti-humanity.

But especially if you have a uterus.

[toddwv]

13. "Pro-small business, pro-entrepreneur, pro-family and pro-economic growth"

I think that we've all seen proof that this is anything but the truth. In fact, the Republicans pro-corporation stance is hurting our small businesses, entrepreneurs, the economy and the "family".

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. I think anti-women and "war on women" is flawed messaging.

Wedge issues are used when you know you outnumber the people you're trying to ostracize (e.g. "gay marriage is the biggest issue of the century!").

Placing the wedge in such a place that the only ones unquestionably on your side are young progressive women is not good.

The Republican plans harm every middle and working class person, but you wouldn't know that simply by listening to Wasserman Schultz who, like other democrats, are timid to the point of paralysis at calling for economic populism.

[BlueIris]

16. Damn my lying eyes, they must be...lying to me, then, losers.

I'm pretty sure you're a misogynist bunch of pigs.

[Bigmack]

17. All I can visualize is...

women who look like a combination Stepford Wife/Church Lady/June Cleaver saying how wonderful the Repubs are to women who know their place.

[felix_numinous]

18. K&R