Barack Obama has run an amazing campaign and he certainly doesn't need my advice.
But reading my good friend Sinfonian today, agonizing over what Hillary Clinton can do to advance the more deserving man's cause, (ahem, as if, were positions reversed, anyone would worry over that), I got to thinking. And I started thinking that there's one thing, beyond the blindingly obvious, that Obama could do to help us older women voters cozy up to the idea of, gee, one more time, supporting the man.
Obama could come out strongly in support of the ERA.
I mean, really, strongly in support. I'm biased, but I think this is a brilliant idea.
What got me to thinking of it was that I was listening to a radio news story about McCain on the Ellen DeGeneres show, trying to equivocate on gay marriage, and I was wondering, does anyone really think that gay marriage won't be the norm in, say, 30 years? I was trying to think of even one movement such as this where the conservatives were able to completely turn the tide. American independence. An end to colonialism throughout South America and Africa. Birth control. Loving v. VA. Lunch counters. Slavery. Environmental laws. And, then I thought, as is my wont, about women. Women won the right to vote a while back, but are still waiting for passage of the ERA. And, bam, it hit me. The Obama campaign has a serious problem with women, esp. we older women who watched the ERA bloom and fade. He needs to show as he really, really, really hasn't yet ("You're likable enough," "Absent" on choice votes, "Sweetie," a campaign full of men and based on his being a "committed xian" who is "called to serve") that he gets it. Serious backing for the ERA would go a long way for this grandmother.
So, don't listen to me. I'm only an old woman with a fat checkbook, an extensive address book, some weekends this Summer to spend handing out leaflets, and a house and garden made for entertaining. Don't address my concerns. It's better to make fun of me on blogs and make me feel even more disaffected from my own political party.
No, it's not.
The ERA. An idea whose time is now. Mr. Obama?
12 comments:
How about a speech on sexism, along the lines of his racism speech? That would be a good way for him to tell us exactly where he stand on the issues.
"We have to have strong enforcement of a basic principle: Same work, same pay. Same work, same pay." - B.O.
http://roadkillrefugee.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/obama-speaks-on-womens-pay-equity-and-childcare/
Oh, sweetie, ERA is so 20th century...
It's gotten to the point where I can't listen to Obama's voice anymore. I couldn't listen to Shrub after the first five minutes.
I'm married with two sons in school. I'm so sick of men running everything. I fear for my sons' lives in a draft that will come if McCain is voted in, which will be the only thing that will keep me from voting against Obama.
My husband and I both support HRC. We are both sickened by the blatant sexism in this campaign and this country. We are sick at heart. And we are tired.
*Poof* /Turns NTodd into a Newt.
echidne, I don't know, talk is cheap. I want him to do a lot more than give a nice speech. I want him to get behind the ERA in a big, serious way and make getting it passed one of the hallmarks of his administration.
But that would be pandering to a special interest group.
ql
I love you. That is all.
So Hecate, Persephone and Xanthippe walk into a bar...
(I have nothing substantial to add to the discussion, I just thought it was funny our choices of ancient Greek historical/mythological names here. Not to mention I would really love to walk into a bar with y'z all one of these days.)
(Can you tell I have spent too much time in Tennessee?)
As an Obama fan, I would love him to get behind it, too. Also, as an Obama fan, I'd like to encourage the Clinton supporters who have come to terms with Clinton's likely defeat to take a look at what an excellent candidate Obama is. I can understand your pain at having the first viable female candidate for the presidency defeated in the primary, but in this case, I believe that Obama will be an excellent president for everyone, women especially.
Also, as an aside, you (Hecate) have expressed a concern over Obama's religious leanings and occasional rhetoric. Let me quote a paragraph from his book, The Audacity of Hope:
"What our deliberative, pluralistic democracy does demand is that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals must be subject to argument and amenable to reason. If I am opposed to abortion for religious reasons and seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or invoke God's will and expect that argument to carry the day. If I want others to listen to me, then I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."
As a deist, I personally take comfort in the idea of having a president with that philosophy. Seriously, he'll be a good candidate for people of all identities.
I think I look good as a newt.
The man's head is bigger than his desire to appeal to voters. Maybe it wouldn't be if Axelrod's hand weren't so firmly planted.
Sad.
What NY Mary said!
You one bright star, lady.
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