Breaking the GOP still doesn’t know how to talk to women, and somehow this is still news

Last week this was everywhere, and for good reason of course. The idea that talking to women like they are you know people, and somehow requires some special training makes it seem as though women aren’t people. Of course, we all remember the GOP says ridiculously stupid things about women, rape, abortion, sexual assault, etc. Damn, feels like that list should be longer.

We also know that the GOP has resorted to gerrymandering instead of developing policies and positions that endear them and demonstrate their interest in special populations. So naturally, sensitivity training because women vote, though they seem to be ignoring the fact that white women are the most likely women to vote for the GOP…so maybe work a little on the race thing?

Shakesville had a post about it late last week noting the Politico article called “GOP men tutored in running against women.” So they are teaching the GOP men how to talk to women and not look like misogynists. Damn glad, I don’t have that job. Although, step one: talk to women like people; step two: treat women like people; and step three: don’t be an ass. And done.

Speaker Boehner approves of this because he had some of his top aides meet to discuss how lawmakers should talk to women constituents. One was quoted as saying, “Let me put it this way, some of these guys have a lot to learn.” Truth.

Apparently, there have been multiple sessions with the National Republican Congressional Committee NRCC where aides to incumbents learned “messaging against women opponents. This all comes down to the GOP learning to disguise their messages of discrimination to sound less threatening and rebranding their message, but not changing their policies.

In the 2014 election cycle, 10 races include House GOP men incumbents facing off against Democratic women challengers. This is a preliminary count there could be more, and Politico didn’t mention how many of these races were in gerrymandered districts. Though, it does note that women challengers face a host of challenges to election including gaps in fundraising.

Missouri Blues

My roomie just found out that all her hard work in Missouri was worth it! Missouri was announced as blue as in it went for Obama! My roomie is amazing, and all the incredible work she did on the campaign for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

Sweet Victory and What It Means

"Obama's Victory Ushers in a New America", Joe Klein, Time

"Indeed, there are — an army of them, untold thousands of young organizers operating out of more than 700 offices nationwide. And they have delivered a message to Rudy Giuliani, who sneered during the Republican National Convention that he didn't even know "what a community organizer is." This is who they are: they are the people who won this election. They were the heart and soul and backbone of Barack Obama's victory. They are destined to emerge as the next significant generation of American political operatives — similar to the antiwar and antisegregation baby boomers who dominated the Democratic Party after cutting their teeth on the Bobby Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy campaigns of 1968, similar to the pro-life, antitax Reaganauts who dominated the Republican Party and American politics from the election of 1980 ... until now. They are a preview of the style and substance of the Obama Administration."

"It is no longer a "white" country, even though whites remain the majority. It is a place where the primacy of racial identity — and this includes the old, Jesse Jackson version of black racial identity — has been replaced by the celebration of pluralism, of cross-racial synergy. After eight years of misgovernance, it has lost some of its global swagger ... but also some of its arrogance. It may no longer be as dominant, economically or diplomatically, as it once was. But it is younger, more optimistic, less cynical. It is a country that retains its ability to startle the world — and in a good way, with our freedom. It is a place, finally, where the content of our President's character is more important than the color of his skin."

The only thing left to talk about is the white working class voters that gave this election to Obama.  Just so we're clear the people who have been largely ignored in the past handed this election over to Obama.  The community organizers, marginalized groups of minorities, and the working class (or the working poor as they are now).   These are people ignored or trampled on by the last eight years, and victory is sweet.  It is time to focus on staff and the Supreme Court, and most importantly the possibility of witnessing greatness opposed to the destruction of the last eight years.   I'm not naive enough to think it will be easy or perfect, but things are pretty bad to start with.  Racism and hate still exist.  But this signals there are enough people here who have had enough and are ready for those ideas to fade away.  

Sorry to be a Downer...

Not everything was for the better last night. The ballot measures are still coming in, and some aren't so good.

We are looking at Marriage Bans in several states: FL, AZ, and though CA is still out I'm not hopeful...my apologies to all homosexual couples out there unable to marry; this is a said day for you.

AR banned same sex adoption; adding themselves to the likes of OH.

The goodies:

The measure to set abortion limits failed in SD, and the measure that said life begins at the moment of conception failed in CO.

CA is still out on their marriage ban and abortion limits...here's hoping.

Stem cell research legalised in MI, and so is medical pot.

A big high five to my fellow democrats today!

I would like to propose that we all high five today in honor of our enormous victory last night. I am still on the edge of my seat with excitement. Not only did Obama win the election, we are the closest we have been in a VERY long time to a 60/40 split in congress and all the Ohio issues I voted on (except one) went the way I voted them. Big day!

Last night, we bought two bottles. One bottle of whiskey and one bottle of champagne and I am happy to say the champagne was the one opened. My friends and I were completely shocked when CNN projected a win for Obama because it was only 11pm and there had yet to be any hugh controversy with the polls. We found ourselves staring open mouthed at the television screen in complete disbelief until someone walked in the room with the champagne. What an amazing night for democracy. I feel a little silly reading 1984 right now, haha.

President Obama

Hell Yes! It has happened! Obama is the predicted President of the United States. This is not only an historic night because Obama is the first African American President, but because this is going to usher in a new era for Americans around the world. We are looking to a man who will lead us out from the tyranny of the Bush Regime and into a world where intelligence is needed more than ever. I do not envy this man who will suffer through our economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Gitmo, health care, and the recession/depression we are staring down right now.

McCain has given a good concession speech...sounds like the McCain I remember opposed to the McCain we've seen in this campaign. Way to step down with grace John McCain.

OH for Obama

Hell yeah! That's right. Ohio went blue; the way it should be!

The Broke Generation

I'm watching this while results waddle in from the Presidential Election. I am completely disgusted by the man who worked as a mortgage broker only to start his own business cleaning out foreclosures. This is particularly interesting because I'm from Ohio, and there are no jobs there for me. I have no plans to move back to Ohio, and it isn't because I hate it, but because I couldn't find any jobs that weren't retail/service. I looked for more and eight months before I decided to move. Then they cover students not only the lack of jobs for students, but the financial aid fiasco. They close with health care. Watch and cry...

PA goes to Obama...as of now

I get nervous watching election news, but PA went blue, and frankly that was a state I was nervous about. The working class white voters went with Obama..."the working class are going to kick your ass" in PA.

The World is Watching

I think we all knew that everyone would be paying attention to the U.S. today, but I was on the BBC news page and saw they have a comments sections.  The section, Have your Say:  U.S. Elections, What are your expectations?, is quite vast already.  I have signed in and commented already.  I expressed my fear in the face of what appears to be optimism.  I want Obama to win, but I can't bring myself to resign to a victory yet.  I'm too nervous, too many time have we watched it slip away.  And not just to any guy, but a person who has come to represent everything that is wrong with the U.S.  Eight years of fear, hate, and civil rights violations.  Could it actually be coming to an end?  Could the people being held at Gitmo be free?  Could the wasteful slaughter of men, women, and children in Iraq be coming to an end?