THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS
Weekly News Report
1/18/2000
Days Until Election 2000…………..290
ROSELYN O'CONNELL ON WHETHER 2000 COULD BE THE YEAR FOR A
WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT
NWPC President Roselyn O'Connell talked to Fox news.com about the
possibility
of a woman vice presidential candidate in the 2000 campaign. O'Connell
told
Fox news that a woman vice president could be a "tremendous upside."
O'Connell also said, " When qualified women are running who are concerned
about the issues women are concerned about-- health care, reproductive
rights--women are very tuned into that...But women don't vote for women, they
vote for issues."
On the subject of Christine Todd Whitman as a GOP vice presidential nominee,
O'Connell said Whitman's addition could make women feel welcome and important
in the GOP. O'Connell said that ," There are large numbers of Republican
women who are very concerned about reproductive rights."
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT
Supremes Take The First Look
During "an hour of rapid-fire questions and sometimes testy
exchanges," the
Supreme Court began proceedings on the constitutionality of the
Violence
Against Women Act. The case involves a VA Tech student, Christy Brzonkala,
who is using the 1994 Violence Against Women Act to sue two ex-football
players for allegedly raping her. The Supreme Court signaled by their
questions and remarks that the act "may ultimately be declared
unconstitutional" (Biskupic, Washington Post, 1/12.) Justices Sandra Day
O'Connor and Anthony Kennedy, who "are considered swing votes in
federal-vs.-state cases," both expressed concern about the "soundness of the
law." O'Connor, to Solicitor General Seth Waxman: "Your approach would
justify a federal remedy for (problems with) alimony or child support."
Kennedy noted the solicitor general's "inconsistent" argument: while VAWA is
necessary because "state laws do not adequately protect women," it does not
"pre-empt state laws." (Willing, USA Today, 1/12.)
Invoking Congress's ability to regulate interstate commerce, Waxman and Atty.
Julie Goldscheid argued "that violence against women had a substantial impact
on interstate commerce by deterring women from taking certain jobs or
continuing with their education." Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "What is the
clash here? ... We are just complimenting what the states do. Why can't
Congress do that?"
General Counsel of the Ctr. for Individual Rights, Michael
Rosman, who is representing the alleged rapists Antonio Morrison and James
Crawford: "Because this is not interstate commerce. This is violence,
interpersonal violence, the kind of thing that states have had as their
exclusive province ever since the start of our country." But even if the
Court rejects the interstate commerce position, it "could nonetheless uphold
it under Congress's authority to enforce the equal protection guarantee of
the 14th Amendment." (Greenhouse, New York Times, 1/12.)
Biden Defends His Law
Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), asked by a reporter, "Aren't men in danger too":
"Look, fella, ... it is a serious question. You live in Washington, a high
crime rate, do you not take a job that keeps you until 2:00 in the morning
working? No, you take it, even though you are still in danger. The impact
upon women ... they do not take the job. Therefore, it does impact on
commerce. That is a fundamental difference, the issue is not whether or not
people are victimized by violence.
The issue is, whether or not it affects
their conduct. And it does effect the conduct of women. What woman do you
have a relationship with? You obviously don't know many women, because if you
did you would not ask such a stupid question." ("Special Report," Fox News
Channel, 1/11)
THE CANDIDATES
ILLINOIS
AFL-CIO Elects First Female President
The IL AFL-CIO, "for the first time in its 102-year history," elected a woman
as pres. Margaret Blackshere received 60% of the ballots and will take the
oath of office on 4/1 (AP, 1/8.) Blackshere said she hopes to "re-ignite
interest in unions." She also wants the the organization to reach out to
workers "who traditionally have not been the focus of union organizing
drives" -- such as clerical professions, nursing and the banking industry.
(Hill, The Telegraph, 1/10.)
MISSISSIPPI
Final Nips And Tucks
Newly elected Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck (D) "understands the history to be made"
1/13, when she becomes only the second woman in the past century to be
elected to statewide office in MS. Tuck has had a two-month transition
period, while the state legislature decided the gov.'s race. The time allowed
her to pick a staff and get a start on the 2000 legislative session. Tuck:
"There's still a lot of work to be done because there's not enough hours in a
day. Each senator has wanted time to talk to me. Then, you have the state
agencies who want to meet with you. Then you have the constituents who in my
opinion felt a bond with me during the elective process." (Elliott, Biloxi
Sun Herald, 1/9.)
NEVADA
Berkley Bashing
NRCC Chair Tom Davis (R-VA) in Las Vegas 1/7 "bashed" Rep. Shelley Berkley
(D), "calling her whiny and ineffective" as he helped her GOP challenger,
state Sen. John Porter (R), "raise an estimated" $7.5K for the 1st Cong.
Dist. race. Meanwhile, Porter, who received the NRCC's early nod despite a
GOP primary against teacher Jim Blockey (R), "didn't say one negative thing
about Berkley" at the breakfast fundraiser at Big Dog's. "Davis did it for
him, leaving Porter's hands unsullied." Berkley countered: "I was hoping that
John Porter, who said he was planning to run an issue-oriented campaign,
would be able to persuade the national Republicans that the people of
Southern Nevada deserve more than a personal attack-driven campaign. I'm
sorry to see Mr. Davis is starting this downward spiral." Addressing the
5-to-1 fundraising advantage Berkley has over Porter, Davis said Porter
"would have all the money he needs because this is one of the top 10" cong.
races in 2000. Davis: "Shelley is a money-raising machine. She's noted for
getting on the phone and whining until she gets the money." In their year-end
FEC reports, "Berkley expects to report raising" $945K, and Porter said he'll
report "more than" $200K, "which is strong for someone who has only been
fundraising for two months." Min. Leader Dick Gephardt on 1/13 will visit Las
Vegas for Berkley (Morrison, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1/8.)
NEW JERSEY
Where Are The Women?
The Asbury Park Press' Yaffe reports that of the 120 seats in the state
legislature, only 19 -- or 15.8% -- are held by women. NJ ranks 40th among
the states in its percentage of female state legislators, well below the
national average of 22.4%. Political experts explain the low numbers "in a
variety of ways" -- "as a reflection of women's temperament, socialization
and family obligations, or as a symptom of a closed, male-dominated political
structure." Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D): "I don't think it's easy
for women. The Legislature is a microcosm of society, and that's still,
unfortunately, very male-oriented and very male-dominated. We're always
knocking at the door, kicking through the door."
Other legislators noted that "younger women are often busy with families and
careers," because of which most women in the state Legislature are in their
50s and 60s. But Center for American Women and Politics dir. Mary Hawkesworth
notes both parties "are dominated by a cadre of elite, mostly white males who
have not been particularly interested in issues of gender equity." By law,
membership on the GOP and Dem county cmtes are equally male and female, but
the "powerful committee chairs, whose influence often shapes decisions about
who will run, are usually men." While several women in the Legislature said
their county party cmtes "have never blocked their ambitions," others believe
that they "have gotten less support from their parties than a man would have"
in areas such as fund-raising. Once in the Legislature, women said they have
a new set of challenges: "working their way into the informal networks,
within and across parties, that help male legislators get their bills
passed." Assemblywoman Connie Myers (R): "Some of the guys play golf, and I'm
still trying to learn." (1/9.)
PENNSYLVANIA
Schwartz Preparing To Make It Official
State Sen. Allyson Schwartz (D)"will formally announce" her Senate bid on a
two-day swing through PA, starting in Philadelphia 1/10 (release, 1/10.)
"In the battle for campaign dollars," Schwartz "stepped forward first" to
announce that she had raised $1.13M in '99 (Politics Daily 1/7.) Schwartz's
campaign also said it had $782K on hand. She "apparently was seeking to
buttress her campaign against efforts by some Democrats to get either"
Schwartz or ex-Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky to quit the race.
Margolies-Mezvinsky strategist Ken Smukler said his candidate "will have
raised about the same amount in the period" as Schwartz has. However, it "was
unclear how much Margolies-Mezvinsky had in the bank." Sen. Rick Santorum
(R), meanwhile, said 1/8 that he had $3.3M in the bank, and had raised about
$2.8M in '99. (Henson/Infield, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1/9.)
ILLINOIS
It's Gash's To Lose
Washington Post's Eilperin profiles the IL 10th Cong. Dist. race, where "some
of the strongest potential GOP successors have opted out of the race, leaving
what independent analysts say is a relatively weak field." On the Dem side,
"by contrast," state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash (D) "faces just nominal opposition
and has the advantage of legislative experience, some name recognition and a
fairly moderate voting record. She is not reluctant about linking herself to"
the GOP incumbent, noting "she shares a commitment to abortion rights and
other causes championed" by Rep. John Porter (R.) Chicago's Roosevelt U.
School of Policy Studies dir Paul Green: "It's Lauren Beth Gash's to lose.
She is very ambitious, she will raise a great deal of money, and that
district has changed philosophically." (1/11.)
ELIZABETH DOLE
Could Dole Help Bush With Women?
Under the header "Angling for VP, Dole's Appeal to Women Falls Short, Women's
studies prof Martha Ackmann, writes that Elizabeth Dole "timed her
endorsement" of Gov. George W. Bush (R-TX) "for maximum benefit -- her own."
Dole "hopes to get on Bush's short-list for vice president as a woman
candidate able to bring women into the campaign. With his deep pockets, Bush
is hardly in serious trouble -- yet he does not resonate with women as much
as we would like. ..."
More Ackmann: "Elizabeth Dole, however, is not the potential vice president
who can reduce Bush's gender gap. Her own short-lived campaign for the
presidency revealed a profound ambivalence about presenting herself as a
'woman's candidate.' While she always was quick to point out the historic
nature of her campaign, she never articulated why blazing the trail was
important or where the new road would lead. As she did with so many issues in
her campaign, Dole failed to convey specific and compelling reasons why she
offered something different. When it came to advancing the gender issue,
however, her vagueness underscored more than vacuous, bromide-coated policy.
It revealed Dole's own stunningly unreflective understanding about what it
means for women to break the gender barriers."
Still more Ackmann: "Of course, women candidates face a double bind in
American culture. They gain political distinction by presenting themselves as
women and appealing to women voters. They lose their viability, however, if
their positions are viewed as too supportive of women--too feminist. Three
decades after the second wave of the feminist movement, voters endorse many
feminist positions--equal pay for equal work, increased funding for women's
medical research, heightened efforts to combat domestic violence. Voters,
however, are not comfortable with feminism. It is that disconnect that
fosters the double bind for women candidates and forces many -- such as Dole
-- to present themselves as representatives, but not advocates, of women."
(Chicago Tribune, 1/12.)
WOMEN 2000
The Value Of Proportional Representation
Rob Ritchie and Steven Hill of the Ctr. for Voting and Democracy believe that
"proportional representation" is the only way for the number of women elected
to public office to match the number of women in the population. Writing
under the header, "How Women Could Gain Power," Ritchie and Hill explain that
"proportional representation systems use multi-seat districts where a
political party or grouping of voters may need only 5 percent of the popular
vote to win representation," as opposed to the tradition "winner-take all"
system currently in use. "Proportional representation" has helped women
throughout Europe get elected, and Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and the
Netherlands have over three times more women in office than in the US
Congress. While some offer theories that "women don't think politics is a
reasonable option because they don't want to give up being mothers and
wives," Ritchie and Hill argue in their new book "Reflecting All of Us," that
"it is high time to seriously address why 52 percent of the population only
has 13 percent of the representation." (Providence Journal, 1/9.)
BILL BRADLEY
Reuters and the AP report that Democratic candidate Bill Bradley announced
the endorsement of "600 women who support abortion rights" at an event in New
Hampshire. Pro-choice Republican Tanya Melich, Mary Rauh (former president
of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and former board member of PPFA
and PPAF) and Lucy Karl (identified as a member of PPNNE) were three of the
four women who spoke on behalf of Bradley at the event.
Ms. Rauh was quoted as saying: "Al Gore told the American people on
ABC last October that he was always pro-choice, but for seven years in the
Congress he voted 84% of the time with the National Right to Life Group.
It's okay to change your mind, but if you don't trust us enough to tell us
the truth and why you changed your mind, I'm not with you." A spokesman for
Gore countered that his support has been unwavering. "Al Gore has always
been pro-choice throughout his career... And more than that, he stayed and
fought against the Republican Congress to protect women in America -
whether it was on choice, equal pay, child care and other family issues, while
Senator Bradley declared the system broken and went home," he said.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
January 22, 2000: NWPC President Roz O'Connell On the Road. Portland, OR.
January 27-30, 2000: NWPC Board Meeting, New Orleans, LA
February 5, 2000
Bread and Roses 2000, Sheraton, Universal City, CA Join LA
Westside's elegant signature event, Bread and Roses 2000, in the rooftop
ballroom of the Universal Sheraton, February 5th, to honor four outstanding
'Women of Honor': Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Roz Wyman, Angela Oh,
and Minnie Lopez Baffo. This year is sure to the best yet, expecting over
350 prominent guests with fine menu and awards program, raising funds to
benefit progressive women candidates at the state and local levels!
($100/ticket.) For tickets and sponsorship information, please call Nicole
McAllister, Event Chair, (818) 487-3866.
February 12-13, 2000
NWPC President Roz O'Connell On the Road. Oakland, CA.
July 29th- August 4, 2000
Republican National Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
Gop.news@republicanconvention.org
August 14-17, 2000
Democratic National Convention, Los Angeles, CA.
www.Dems2000.com
Aug. 10-13, 2000
Reform Party National Convention, Long Beach, CA.
www.reformparty.org/convention2000/
November 2, 2000: ELECTION DAY
(Please send calendar events and articles/news clippings (local and federal)
to polnwpc@aol.com)
** The National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC) is a national, multipartisan,
grass roots membership organization dedicated to identifying, recruiting,
training and supporting women candidates for elected and appointed office at
all levels of government regardless of party affiliation.
In addition to financial donations, the Caucus offers campaign training for
candidates and campaign managers, as well as technical assistance and advice.
State and local chapters provide support to candidates running for all
levels of office by helping raise money and providing crucial hands-on
volunteer assistance.**