March 10, 2009

Dear Friend,

It's been busy here at EMILY's List, and Washington has been inundated with a visit from thousands of right-wing activists attending the American Conservative Union's annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). From the same old rhetoric at CPAC to women we helped elect joining the Obama administration, this is shaping up to be an exciting political year already. . . Here's some news from the field.

History in the making

Women across the country are celebrating Women's History Month by sharing with each other thoughts on their favorite women -- from suffragettes to modern-day trailblazers. Who's yours? Click here to tell us who's your favorite woman in history and see what other EMILY's List members are saying.

Feisty as ever

For Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, attending President Obama's address to Congress wasn't only about hearing Obama's plan for America. The ever-feisty Ginsburg, who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, made clear she had two special reasons to make an appearance: "First, I wanted people to see that the Supreme Court isn't all male," the sole female on the Court said. "I also wanted them to see I was alive and well, contrary to that senator who said I'd be dead within nine months." We couldn't have been happier to see her looking so well -- and we hope Republican Sen. Jim Bunning learned his lesson.

Broken record

We've pulled some pieces of rhetoric from the recent CPAC meeting that are starting to sound awfully familiar, along with another GOP tidbit we just couldn't pass up. While Rush Limbaugh's renewed call for President Obama's failure dominated news coverage of the right's favorite gathering, other speakers confirmed, in their own words, what we suspected all along -- Republicans are out of touch and out of ideas. Here are some of my favorites:

From former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, on the GOP's favorite judiciary topic: ". . . [W]e will not stand idly by as liberal judges try to re-write the constitution and override democracy."

House Minority Leader John Boehner summed up the Republicans' stance on reproductive rights: "We're the pro-life party. You'll see Republicans, as we get into these appropriations bills and we see the Freedom of Choice Act, stand up and defend the sanctity of life."

And, in one of the spiteful attacks we've come to expect from him, Rush Limbaugh accused President Obama of "trying to foment and create anger in a created atmosphere of crisis" -- a partisan blow that ignores the current state of our country and downplays the essential steps Obama is taking to move the nation forward.

And if CPAC wasn't enough for you . . . Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), best known for his starring role in the DC Madam scandal in 2007, has always styled himself a family values conservative, private imbroglios notwithstanding. In the years since his name turned up in the DC Madam's little black book, Vitter has sponsored dozens of amendments designed to tell other people how to behave. Vitter's latest crusade is to remove funding for family planning from the omnibus appropriations bill. Last month Vitter fought to remove funding for the prevention of STDs from the stimulus package. And last year, Vitter fought to make abstinence-only programs a part of the AIDS relief bill. Up for re-election in 2010, Vitter potentially faces primary challenges from opposite ends of the moral spectrum: adult movie star Stormy Daniels and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins (yes, Stormy is a Republican).

Dialing for dollars

The GOP is breaking out of the starting gate strong and hard this election cycle, wasting no time to raise the funds they'll need for 2010. Seeking to fill their party's coffers, leading Republicans raised $1 million last week through a nationwide phone-a-thon. And the Republican National Committee just handed out $1 million checks to help out the Republican Senate and House committees, knowing that's where the battles of 2010 will be fought. While it's hard to believe that the vitriol like that spouted at CPAC could motivate people to contribute, it's an important wake-up call to any of us who might think that the Republicans are in a state of disarray. No doubt much of this latest cash infusion will be put to use to attack our progressive candidates -- and we're not willing to let those attacks go unanswered.

Click here to help EMILY's List protect and build on our Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate.

Appoint well taken

Congratulations to former EMILY's List candidates Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius. Solis, a former congresswoman from California, has a long track record of fighting for the rights of working Americans. After a drawn-out confirmation process -- during which EMILY's List delivered nearly 4,700 petitions to Senate Republicans urging them to move forward -- Solis is finally in position to serve as President Obama's partner on labor issues. Sebelius, who is currently serving as governor of Kansas, has an outstanding record of fighting to expand access to quality health care. We made sure to send Secretary-designate Sebelius our best wishes, including personal notes from members like you! We couldn't be happier that candidates you've helped elect will be on the front lines of helping President Obama achieve his vision of change in America!

Warmly,


Britt Cocanour
Chief of Staff