By Emily on 10/06/2009 @ 11:08 AM
Tags: Martha Coakley, Cheryle Robinson Jackson, Ann Kirkpatrick, Debbie Stabenow
There's never much down time here at EMILY's List -- and this week has been no different.
We've had candidates (and EMILY's List alums!) in and out of the office, and there have been plenty of events to keep us busy, too.
Check out some photos below about life at the List.
By Emily Lockwood on 08/07/2009 @ 02:45 PM
Tags: Health Care, 2010 Elections, Nancy Pelosi, Diana DeGette, Ann Kirkpatrick, Kathy Castor, GOP Opponents
I’d read about the mob right-wing protests happening nationwide at health care town hall meetings, and I’d seen reports about the level of anger among demonstrators. Yesterday in Arizona, disruptions from protestors forced Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick to cancel a series of town hall meetings on health care. In Florida, right-wing protestors banged on the windows of an event until Rep. Kathy Castor was forced to shut down her event.
But it wasn’t until I was standing in a crowd of protestors that I realized how destructive -- and organized -- their efforts are.
Right here in Denver, which many consider a very progressive city, mobs of organized right-wing protestors took over an entire street block with the hopes of disrupting Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Diana DeGette and Rep. Jared Polis as they toured the Stout Street Medical Clinic. I spent the afternoon standing with them, reading their hateful slogans and listening to their angry chants.
“Obama is a fascist! Obama sucks!” screamed one woman over the crowd. Next to her, a small child held this sign:
And then there were the personal attacks, protestors clashing with health care reform supporters: “Why should I pay for [health care] for you? Go back to your job at 7-11,” one man yelled after hearing the story of a woman whose health care had been cut. Another man joined their argument, yelling, “Violence isn’t the answer, but it sure is fun.”
At the very end of the event, a group of protestors were shouting “We want a town hall! We want a town hall!” Really? A town hall? The town hall meeting is a thoughtful, respectful forum for citizens to learn and discuss an issue. The very last thing these protestors want is a respectful discussion of health care. They want to intimidate and threaten our members of Congress and American citizens who truly want a discussion about these issues in a democratic forum.
The level of anger and hatred that I saw from these protestors was unlike anything I’ve ever seen -- and I’ve been front and center during other heated demonstrations, including ones about choice.
These destructive actions are leaving an indelible mark on our public discourse. Their slogans are offensive and misleading. Their chants are full of anger and misinformation. And all the while, the people who are hurting most because of this debate -- the ones struggling to pay for insurance or going without any coverage at all -- are left waiting in the wings.
By Jonathan Parker on 08/04/2009 @ 05:25 PM
Tags: GOP Opponents, 2010 Elections, US House, Ann Kirkpatrick, Betsy Markey, Suzanne Kosmas, Debbie Halvorson, Carol Shea-Porter, Dina Titus, Mary Jo Kilroy, Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, Loretta Sanchez
Only days ago we told you that the NRCC was picking their top races for 2010, and yesterday's POLITICO report sheds more light on exactly whom Republicans will target.
Nine of the seats in Republicans' sights are currently held by EMILY's List incumbents, including six freshman members we helped elect last year: Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Betsy Markey (CO-04), Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Dina Titus (NV-03), and Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15). Three longer serving EMILY's List candidates, Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (SD-AL), and Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), are also being targeted.
According to an NRCC release, GOPers are hoping to pick up a total of 70 districts across the country, ranging from vulnerable new members who were elected in the 2006 or 2008 cycles to more experienced representatives who haven't had competitive races in recent years.
And there's no doubt Republicans are putting politics before progress when it comes to making a name for themselves in 2010:
House Republicans also appear confident that difficult votes on health care and energy legislation will put battle-tested members from conservative districts in trouble.
For EMILY's List candidates, Republican attacks are going to make voter outreach and supporter efforts more crucial than ever.
See the full list
here.
By Emily on 07/28/2009 @ 01:07 PM
Tags: US House, 2010 Elections, GOP Opponents, Debbie Halvorson, Mary Jo Kilroy, Ann Kirkpatrick, Suzanne Kosmas, Betsy Markey, Dina Titus, Gabrielle Giffords, Carol Shea-Porter, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
The GOP isn't wasting any time plotting for 2010 -- and top on their list of priorities is taking down freshman members of Congress in moderate or conservative-leaning districts, including women we've helped elect.
Six of the women EMILY's List helped elect last year are being targeted in RNC ads that call White House health care reform plans a "dangerous experiment" -- Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01), Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24), Betsy Markey (CO-04), and Dina Titus (NV-03). Also under attack are more senior EMILY's List members of Congress, Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL).
The so-called "ad blitz" will be aired in 33 states nationwide.
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