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"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
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[PA] Forum: Down with the Democratic machine
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Race
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| Contributor | Scott³ |
| Last Edited | Scott³ Mar 28, 2005 12:45am |
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| Category | Opinion |
| Media | Newspaper - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
| News Date | Sunday, March 27, 2005 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette opinion piece.
An excerpt...
" I'm not taking "no" for an answer this time.
For years, I've worked for Democratic candidates, pouring time, energy and money into the mostly male candidacies anointed by the party leaders. Although I've spent most of my life fighting for women's rights -- and indeed, putting my very life on the line, managing and protecting abortion clinics and their patients from violent attacks by anti-abortion terrorists -- I nearly always supported Democratic candidates even if they didn't support my right to life. After all, the party itself was a strong defender of abortion rights, so the right choice was nearly always to vote Democratic.
Though there were good pro-choice women candidates, whenever they threw their bonnets in the ring in Pennsylvania, the party fathers rarely supported them. It "wasn't their turn," or they "weren't ready." Sometimes the lack of support was enough to kill their chances. Sometimes the party fathers scrambled to find a "good man" to keep the woman from winning. Sometimes, the woman was muscled out of the race, with her money drying up and whispered promises of better support next time.
But one candidate that I and other Democratic women always supported was Barbara Hafer: public health nurse, first and only female Allegheny County Commissioner, Pennsylvania Auditor General, Pennsylvania treasurer, renowned for her courage in speaking truth to power, implacable foe of discrimination of all kinds and constant supporter of women's rights, both as a Republican and Democrat. A woman who is an outstanding public servant and has achieved much, all without the benefit of a famous father.
When she returned to the Democratic Party, I was sure the party leaders would support her wholeheartedly." |
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