The Political Voices of Women

What did you think when John McCain showed nothing short of total disdain for women’s rights and health, during Wednesday night’s debate? Personally, I think he may have lost many women who might have been ‘on the fence’ about a McCain/Palin ticket. Take a look at what other bloggers are saying, and let me know what you think in comments.

From Crooks and Liars…

Clearly, in all his debate prep, no one thought to coach McCain not to go to the third rail of the abortion issue. Boy, was that an oversight. Because not only did McCain go there, he jumped right on to it. In trying to paint Obama as being for the great Republican bugaboo of late term abortions (because, you know, there are so many women running around and deciding after being pregnant for six or more months that being pregnant is no longer convenient for them), Obama replied that he didn’t vote for the late term abortion ban because it had no provision for the health or life of the mother. And that’s when McCain proved how heartless and clueless he is: Again…just again, an example of the eloquence of Senator Obama, health (indicates air quotes) of the mother. You know that’s been stretched by the pro-abortion movement to mean almost anything. Really? Not a legitimate concern?

From Sarah Palin Lies…

We already knew McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin, isn’t concerned about the health of mothers since she opposed a ban on abortions even in the case of rape or incest. Now we learn that McCain has contempt for women’s health issues as well and thinks concerns about their health is “extreme.” McCain can kiss the independent women’s vote good-bye after this doozy.

From Nancy Keenan…

McCain doesn’t understand a key principle that, for many women, is central to their choice of a candidate for president. The same woman who wants a president to address the difficulty of paying to put gas in the car while other bills pile up on the kitchen counter also wants a president who respects her ability to make the personal, private medical decisions that are best for her and her family. She doesn’t want a politician like McCain mocking protections for her health or voting against birth control. As the election enters its final phase, and these key voters hear from NARAL Pro-Choice America about the stark differences between John McCain and Barack Obama about a woman’s right to choose, women will choose the candidate who will stand with them. That candidate is Barack Obama.

From Equal Writes…

John McCain put women’s “health” in inverted commas during the debate last night, as though it’s a made-up phrase that represents some imaginary or laughable idea. Or alternatively, an idea that doesn’t matter very much and can be easily dismissed by a candidate who, say, had no idea that health insurance plans cover Viagra but not birth control. McCain labelled people who support the right to terminate a pregnancy when that pregnancy endangers the health of the mother “extreme” and “pro-abortion.”

From The Fertile Infertile…

In my last political post, I said I was deeply disturbed by McCain’s stance on women’s reproductive rights. Now, I’m going to say, if you are a woman of reproductive age or if you love a woman of reproductive age, you are playing with her life and health if you vote for McCain. McCain totally dismissed the fact that pregnancy ever threatens a woman’s life.

. . .

Hell, I wish we could completely ban late term abortion but I value the lives of the adult women involved more than I value their unborn babies. I am pro-choice but I am not pro-abortion. I will never presume to claim I know whats best for someone medically and that includes whether or not they should continue to carry a baby. I believe each and every woman should be able to decide what to do with their own body. With this one ignorant statement, John McCain has alienated many people who feel the way I do.

Here is some post debate media and blogger reaction.  If you want to see what I thought, check out this link, that also has the full video of last night’s debate.  I am very interested in what YOU thought.  Who won?  Who lost?  Are you sick of hearing about “Joe” the plumber?   Who do you feel will do better fixing our economy?  What about health care, taxes, and jobs?  Let me know what you think in comments.

From David Gergen on CNN…

Maddow on McCain’s Snide Remark about Women…

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Here is the full video of the last presidential debate before the 2008 election. What did you think? Who won the debate?

My thoughts on McCain’s performance…

• McCain hit a home-run with his base, especially the “anti-choice” crowd, and plumbers making over $250,000.
• McCain pulled a “Sarah Palin” in his avoidance of answering just about every question.
• In John McCain’s attempt to be “mavericky” – he came off as just plain rude.
• McCain doesn’t think the “health” of women is important, and has no idea of the true cost of health insurance.
• John McCain appears to be living within his own stump speech, and not actual reality.

My thoughts on Obama’s performance…

• Barack Obama started off weak, but ended strong.
• Obama actually answered the questions that were asked.
• I liked what Obama said about taxes, jobs, and women’s rights.

That’s what I thought.  Well, I have to admit, most of the time I was just thinking…

• This whole election can’t be over soon enough.
• How bad would I look, if I just pulled all of my hair out right now?
• Is a lobotomy covered in my health care plan?
• Why?  Why?  Why?  Why?

So, that’s me.  What did you think?

President Bill Clinton in Richmond…

Clinton Stumps for Obama…

President Clinton campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in Roanoke on Sunday evening, exciting a crowd of thousands with his praise for Obama’s commitment to policy change.

At the outdoor rally at the City Market in downtown Roanoke, Clinton said that Obama had the instincts to be president, citing his plans for financial recovery and proposals for health care reform.

“Barack Obama and Joe Biden are going to win here on Election Day with your help,” Clinton said. “For the first time in 40 years, Virginia will be a Democratic state. We have a chance to fundamentally change the direction of the country.”

Hillary Clinton in Scranton with Joe Biden…

It’s obvious that more economic relief is needed to help the middle class. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, announced her proposed stimulus package earlier today…

CNN Money…

House Democrats will propose a new stimulus package to “rebuild America” and “help the middle class,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, announced Monday.

The package will have some of the same features as one passed earlier by the House but rejected by the Senate, she said, including “aid to the states” on healthcare, food stamps and unemployment.

From The Washington Post…

Determined to keep the campaign spotlight on the economy, Sen. Barack Obama has added $60 billion in new tax breaks and other benefits to his economic stimulus plan, and will urge Congress to act quickly after the election to provide middle-class relief.

While his opponent, Sen. John McCain, has reportedly considered but not yet spelled out additional economic recovery steps, the Democratic nominee is expected to outline several new proposals at a speech here this afternoon. They include:

• A temporary tax credit for firms that create jobs in the U.S.
• Penalty-free 401(k) and IRA withdrawals through 2009, to allow struggling families to withdraw up to 15 percent of their savings, up to $10,000.
• A 90-day foreclosure moratorium for homeowners making “good-faith efforts” to keep up with their mortgage payments.
• Creating a new entity to lend to state and local governments, allowing for an effort similar to the liquidity assistance that the Federal Reserve recently extended to commercial banks.
• The temporary elimination of taxes on unemployment insurance benefits.

Obama also will raise the prospect of government aid to the automobile industry and more aggressive government action to help banks and free up consumer credit. He has already outlined benefits such as a middle-class tax break — delivered immediately in the form of a check — and small-business incentives that total about $115 billion over two years.

The Toledo speech coincides with a meeting of House Democratic leaders this morning to discuss action on a stimulus bill when the chamber reconvenes, as planned, after the election.

Also See:

What Is a Fiscal Conservative and Who Are They?

On the brighter side of the economy – Dow Takes A Giant Leap…

Last week’s gloom turned into euphoria as investors sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 11%, the biggest one-day gain since 1933. It was the fifth-largest percentage gain ever, and it came immediately after an 18% weekly decline, the worst such drop in the Dow’s 112-year history.

The head-snapping shift in sentiment, spurred by global plans for governments to rescue banks through direct capital injections, left investors debating whether this marked the end of the past year’s frightening bear market, or just a temporary respite.

So.  What do you think?  Do we need another economic stimulus plan?  Is this plan going to be good enough?  Let me know what you think in comments.

See more from The Care2 Election Blog here.

It doesn’t make much sense, and you might assume that because John McCain is the candidate who is a veteran himself, that his record on veterans’ benefits would be superior.  But, you would be wrong.  So, why is John McCain claiming to have an excellent voting record on veterans’ benefits and other veterans’ issues?  I imagine, it’s for votes.  He appears to be putting his campaign ahead of the welfare of veterans. What do you think?

Taking on McCain on Veterans’ Issues…

In the first presidential debate a couple of weeks ago, John McCain boasted that he’s always been a champion for veterans. I’ll take care of them,” he said. “And they know I’ll take care of them.”

Unfortunately for McCain, facts keep getting in the way of the claim.

In recent years, McCain’s ratings from veterans’ groups have been less than impressive. The Vietnam Veterans of America, for example, recently compiled a list of key votes, and found McCain voted against the group’s position 15 times and with the group eight times. (Obama, in contrast, voted with the VVA 12 times, and against it only once.)

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Here is a post-debate roundup on last night’s presidential debate.  If you missed the debate, you can see the full video of presidential debate here.  So, what did you think?  Was there a winner?  Did you like what you heard?  Can one of these candidates fix our economy?  What about our healthcare system?  The war?  Let me know what you think in comments.

Reviews are in on the McCain vs. Obama Debate…

Obama strikes back on McCain’s Iraq policy…

Is Healthcare a Right or a Responsibility?

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Just in case you missed it…Here is the full video of tonight’s Presidential Debate. Did you watch the debate? What did you think? Who won? Did you learn anything new? Let me know in comments.

Tonight’s Town Hall Debate, Latest Polls, and the Differences Between Obama and McCain.

This post will take a look at what to expect at tonight’s debate, the latest attempt to turn the election away from the economy, and links that can help you find out what candidate agrees with you on the issues.

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