I’ve gone far too long recently without getting my political mojo on here. That ends now.
(Sorry in advance to apolitical readers who just like it when I’m funny. I promise more Rock of Love II commentary and the new Candy Land rules according to Thalia to come.)
This week I had an opportunity to do a little assignment for a publisher that wanted to create a basic chart for their readers on where each candidate stood on mom-centric issues. While I’m grateful for the project and really liked the people I was working with, I have to admit a bit of frustration about the nature of the assignment in the first place. Narrowing down a candidate’s sixteen page health care proposal to one easily digestible bullet point is akin to asking someone to buy a car based on a single attribute.
Shiny.
“I’ll take it!”
Oh, our poor no-attention-span society.
What the project forced me to do however was to really delve into the candidates’ websites – all of them – and get to understand their plans, their differences, their similarities, their fuzzy math, their rhetoric, and which ones are truly batshit crazy.
(Oh pleaseohpleaseohplease let Huckabee be the Republican nominee. Huckabee in ’08! Whoo!)
So in doing the research (and I swear I was totally objective and journalistic) here’s what I found on each of the Republican candidates’ websites regarding women and families and children:
Nothing.
Not a thing.
Unless you count fetuses which are apparently a very big deal.
There’s no Supporting Parents and Caring for Children category laid out with like 8 zillion super specific proposals as there is on Clinton’s site. There’s no comprehensive Working Families category as on Edwards’ site. Heck, Obama has a simple, all-encompassing category entitled Families. You’d think Romney, McCain, Guiliani, Huckabee, or Paul could manage that.
Goose egg.
Not one of them mentions affordable childcare. Not one of them mentions the Family Medical Leave Act. Not one of them mentions sizeable deductions for stay-at-home parents, the promotion of telecommuting, or preventing workplace discrimination against parents and caregivers. Of course there’s a bit here and there on education, most of which has to do with charter schools and voucher programs, often code for government-funded parochial schools. (I learned a whole lot about code this week.) And then there’s Huckabee, whose dedication to music and art programs I actually found admirable until he goes and calls them “Weapons of Mass Instruction.” Because dude, it’s awesome to take a phrase meaning “nukes that can destroy life as we know it in four seconds” and change one syllable to mean “hey kids, let’s play the recorder!”
(Whoo! Huckabee in ’08!)
Mitt Romney’s site was actually almost promising with a category called American Culture and Values. But apparently American values have more to do with “enforcing our nation’s obscenity laws” than supporting paid maternity leaves.
What the GOP candidates do seem to have instead of info on families is info on faith. Oh, there’s loooots of info on faith and how faithful and wonderfully God-fearing and pious and super-faithful they all are in their faithy-faithfulness.
Also gun owner rights. Because as we all know, Jesus said, “Ignore the mothers for they are not as important as the gun lobby.”
Or something like that.
Now I’m not saying that everyone is going to be pro-choice. But man, shouldn’t everyone be pro-family? I mean they didn’t even mention the FMLA. Try googling any GOP candidate with FMLA. Or take my word for it…don’t.
The way I see it, anyone with a “Women for McCain/Romney/Huckabee” t-shirt is just being used. Because clearly, McCain/Romney/Huckabee is not for women.
Okay, so now you know (with probably too much detail) who I don’t like. Who do I like?
I don’t know.
For once in my life, I am hopelessly on the fence. I think a President Clinton, a President Obama, or a President Edwards could each do outstanding things for our country.
But I will say this:
After really tearing into all of their websites, Senator Clinton absolutely blew me away with the comprehensiveness of her proposals, the detail of her plans, and her thorough understanding of the issues and how they play out within the political machine, and exactly how each plan could be paid for. Blew me away. Just read her agenda for working families if nothing else.
When she says she’s ready to hit the ground running, she’s not kidding.
Hm.
115 shards of brilliance… read them below or add one
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As I’m sure everyone else is commenting on the complex issues you laid out so clearly, I just wanted to say…this was still totally funny, dude. No worries.
This is the best political post I have ever read. I am now going to send it to everyone I know. Thanks for doing this research and also bringing on the funny.
Took the liberty to send this miracle of good writing to Hillary’s campaign. Why should we be the only ones privy to Liz’s hard work?
This is not fair! No one who is so great at writing about Life in General and born humor essayist and a sensitive observer should also be able to write so perfectly about politics. Is there anything you CAN’T do?I’m with you on your observations, too. You might want to read < HREF="http://dontgelyet.typepad.com/dontgeltoosoon/2008/01/new-hampshire-p.html" REL="nofollow">my NH post<> — Obama as idealistic rhetoric, Clinton turning into the Establishment but so very capable… We need his rhetoric and her resume and discipline.At least people are talking about real things. I just hope everyone isn’t so depressed by the economy that they just stay home under the covers on Election Day.
I have to put it out there (you knew I would) that Edwards also has incredibly detailed policy positions. If you go onto his site (johnedwards.com) you see an overview of his stance on the issues, but then each issue is broken down into specific detail (the bulleted points to the right of the main text.) His One America Plan pdf (80 pgs) is a must-read.I also have to put out there that he was first to put out many of his plans: first with his UHC plan, first with his economic stimulus plan. He leads and the others seem to follow.I was on the fence until I started to look at the issues that were most important to me—UHC, ending poverty, global warming, a nuclear free world—and how each candidate aligned with how I felt.I know that Edwards doesn’t have a shot at getting the nom and that saddens me. But what saddens me more is that after he bows out, I really don’t know who to vote for. My big problem with Hillary: I don’t trust her at all. Too much history there. Everyone knew she would have to go neg on Obama at some point and instead of sticking to the issues, she went there (and is still going there) with the smear campaign. That’s very disappointing to me.My big problem with Obama: I have no idea what he stands for. I know he’s about hope, but he’s on “appeal to emotion” lather-rinse-repeat mode. I want to hear something substantive from him. He also lost me on the “let’s explore clean coal and nuclear power” schtick.With Edwards I don’t feel like I’m trading off anything to vote for him (which I already did absentee). My heart and mind are in complete agreement. I am proud he’s my candidate and will support him until the bitter end. After that, I guess you could say I’m undecided, too.Thanks for this post and for pointing out in your inimitable way that the Republicans are completely out of touch with reality.
Eloquently put Stefania, and excellent points, all of them. As I said at your place, your passion is inspiring.
Great summary of positions and more justification of why I don’t like any of the Republican candidates.I like Clinton, Edwards and Obama, although I think I lean slightly towards Clinton. That could change, though. If her husband could run again, I’d vote for him without a second thought – I remember his time in office, and I remember those years as a time of prosperity. Times were good in the 90′s, and sure, a lot of it was outside of his control, but Clinton’s policies certainly didn’t hurt the economic boom. I’m tired of watching bills go up and our paycheck stay the same. The middle class and families in general are losing ground rapidly, and something needs to be done right away.
Alright – I have been reading your blog for a million years and I am so hyped about this post that I am finally “delurking”. Thank you for writing what so many are thinking. I am still on the fence between Obama, Clinton, and Edwards, but there is just something about Clinton that I trust. Maybe because she is a mother…
Thanks so much for this post — a Democrat’s dream!I’m with those who can’t vote for Clinton. She may be smart and experienced and have the best laid plans, but can she make those plans a reality? Good point about a Gingrich-led Congress in the 90′s, but I suspect there’s enough Clinton haters left in DC to make her Presidency difficult at best. Thanks for confirming what we Dems have known for EONs.
I respectfully submit this comment to you Liz, with love and respect:I started out campaign season being pro-Obama, but very happy with Hillary and Edwards (though somewhat uneasy with the sort of dynastic and rather undemocratic notion of ruling families in America for the last 16 years, but what evs). As the campaign has progressed, however, and the Billary machine has gone into negative overdrive, I am becoming truly disgusted with their whole lack of integrity. Today I read this on Andrewsullivan.com. This is from a diary on dailykos.com “Where the hell has this red-faced, angry, combative Bill Clinton been for the last eight years? Did Bill get angry and demand that wrongs be righted after the Florida miscount? After Bush v. Gore? After Bush, Cheney, and Rice blew off his concerns about terrorism for 8 months? After Bush’s unpreparedness for, inadequate and incomplete response to, and unconscionable exploitation of 9/11? After the unfair media and GOP attacks on Al Gore, Howard Dean, and John Kerry? After Katrina? Plame? The US Attorneys? The “lost” emails? The countless other mistakes and malfeasances of the Bush administration? Sorry, Bill — by remaining silent in the face of so many grave catastrophes, you forfeited your right to attack Obama… “Now you might say that Hillary’s going to be president not Bill, but I really don’t see the difference because Hillary’s claims about her experience are largely based on her time in the White House. And obviously we didn’t see Hillary come out strongly on many of these issues either . And I’ll save my comment for why Obama for another time, so as not to be a huge windbag!
I am so there with you.Whoo! Huckabee in ’08!Lordy, Lord…. may he be THEIR nominee.
And I forgot say, when you are ready to discuss the more important issues at hand–you know–how old is Daisy really?, why is that French stripper with the bad lip job really there?, and is Bret’s weave terrible or just the worst you’ve ever seen?, please let me know. I could talk about ROL2 for dayz.
Thank you! I have been shocked over the last few months to read so much on blogs and in the press that sounds like informed people coming up with excuses to hate Clinton’s policies because they don’t like her persona.It is so refreshing to read someone who looks at her policies.Thank you!
I love the fact that at least you are discussing the issues. I am in Australia, so don’t get too much coverage on some of the sutff that you are talking about specifically. I love the political process of democracy and find it maddening that when election time comes around in our country, women I know don’t seem to hava views on the important and relevant issues. I will not try to persuade people to my “Green” side of the fence, but do like to talk about the key issues. The fact that I am number 64 in comments means you deserve a big congratulations for putting it out there!
I really ought to have commented here with my compliments for a brilliant post before haring off and quoting 20% of the post on my own blog. Please accept my belated ‘this was great; thank you!’Also, if you’re really trying to get a 360 degree view of the candidates’ positions, do take a look at this article, which addresses one of the most hard-hitting issues of the campaigns: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/opinion/25fri2.html Oh, that wacky NYT.
Liz, this was a really great post. I’ve thought about (and read about) all of them and I’m still unsure who I like the most. Obama, Clinton, Edwards…well I’ll vote for any of the three. But none of them completely have it. There are issues that they are all missing. Too bad we can’t have someone who has each of their good qualities and great ideas. That’d be a phenomenal president. I honestly think Obama or Clinton, with Edwards as vice, would be a good match.No clue how it will end up…but I’ll continue to pay attention.
And THIS is why the campaigns are making a mistake by ignoring moms.
This is why I have crush on you!I love hearing Obama speak – specially after 8 years of having a moron-cum-robot as president – but Hillary knows her shit.I respect that. I’m hoping for a Clinton-Richardson ticket.
Great post, Liz.I grew up in a very non-political family of immigrants, happy to be able to live in a country where you don’t need papers to cross its borders.It’s not that my parents didn’t voice their opinions – hell, they don’t call us hot-blooded-Hungarians for nothin’ – it’s just that, they saw complaining as a sign of someone being unhappy.Growing up in the middle of a war zone and going hungry, more often than not, will do that to a person, I’m guessing.Until this day, my parents will not vote for his own reasons – none of which I agree with, btw – but, I am raising my children differently.As it should be.Today, you and your readers have taught me something new – perhaps, who I vote for really does matter – and I have decided that it was time I stopped listening to everyone else.I’m going to visit these sites and follow this campaign through to the end and, FINALLY, vote for the person who I feel should be MY president!As it should be.
It’s hard for me to believe that Clinton supports children and families since she was such a supporter of 1996 Welfare Reform, which excludes immigrants who entered the United States after August 22, 1996 EVEN IF THEY ARE LEGAL DOCUMENTED RESIDENTS. It is also a bill that hurts single mothers and poor children. You can read Patricia Ireland/NOW’s statement against the Clintons and their passing of 1996 Welfare Reform here: http://www.now.org/press/08-96/08-22-96.html
Liz, this is why I love you. Well, just one of the reasons.While I know who I don’t like (GOP), I haven’t had a chance to go through each Dem’s individual plans to see how they match up. Thank you for informing and directing us to this important information. I’m not a mother, but I will be in the next four years, and I guarantee you I will be a working mom, so this is an important topic for me. I read every single comment to this post thus far, and your responses to them are flawless. I want the entire country to read this post, even though I think some people misunderstood you as being completely pro-Hillary. You complimented her, but you also complimented the other D-candidates. Well done, Liz. Well done.
With all due respect Cynthia, I would think that Patricia Ireland would be the last person to hold a woman responsible for the actions of her husband. Again, I can’t say for sure if I’m supporting Hilary, but I’m not going to do so – or not do so – based on someone else’s voting record besides her own.
Best.Political.Post.Ever.
Amen, sister. I actually pity the GOP–their list of candidates is pathetic. Scary to think of people actually voting for one of them. Edwards, Obama and Hillary–I’d be happy with whomever gets the nomination. The choice during the Nevada caucus was tough. I respect John Edwards so much. I love Barack’s idealism and appeal to young voters. Six months ago, I would never have dreamed that I would support Hillary, but that’s what happened. She is sharp and focused and has obviously put much thought into her platform. Thank heavens the Nevada debate was civil. South Carolina turned me off rapidly. Not everyone sees things the way we do, every vote is going to be important.
All important political debates aside, I love how you manage to make it interesting (even if it’s only these few comments)!
Great post! I’ll just add a word of warning about wishing the batshit crazy candidate on the other side gets the nomination. Sometimes that happens and then that batshit crazy person goes on to win.I lived in AZ during when Evan Mecham was our governor. When the Republicans first nominated him, all of us Democrats thought we’d win the race. It didn’t turn out that way. (Of course, the normal people vote was split by a third candidate, but that could happen here, too, with Bloomberg…)So, be careful what you wish for!
It’s true, she’s got the background to really know how stuff works and know that if she wants to make change, she’s got to be ready to start right away, because it takes time, and it takes being ready for all comers. If nothing else, she’s got a great strategist and advisor behind her…
Don’t tell anyone, but this might be the year I vote Democrat. I don’t like any of the GOP candidates.Not a single one. At first I thought Huckabee was a dream, but then I realized < HREF="http://www.blogher.com/negative-obama-email-circulates-internet-huckabee-supports-changing-constitution" REL="nofollow">he’s a loon<>.As far as Dems are concerned, I feel like I’m forced to choose between the lesser of three evils. (And I mean that in a nice way.)
Love it, love you, love Hillary. I love Edwards, too, but that battle is lost. I too am really impressed with her willingness to not just say in some vague way that she WILL do something, but also HOW she will do it. No one does that.
I was referred to your blog by someone who particularly wanted me to read this post. I have to say…I watched the New Hampshire Democratic debate, and I was impressed with Senator Clinton’s ability to make all three men sharing the stage with her appear to be posers. She had educated rebuttals for each of their declarations and indeed seemed like the most worthy of the bunch. However, the whole party (Hillary included) is pro-choice, and thus goes without my vote. I am a woman. A daughter. A sister. An aunt. A wife. A mom. And I will not vote pro-choice, regardless of the other issues (which, by the way, I am also well-informed about. Another side note, you may want to research more than the candidate’s own web site, which is simply a glossy internet campaign speech. Try non-partisan fact checker sites, or voting records, or even old clips on Youtube that show what they promised [and didn't/couldn't deliver] on other campaign debates.)Abortion is a one-issue deal for me. Not like “shiny.” Not like buying a car. If there were a single issue difference between the parties such as rape…one party saying it’s a man’s choice whether or not he wants to rape women and he is free to have that choice, and the other party saying that rape should be illegal no matter what the man wants to do with his body, wouldn’t that issue be important enough to you to sway your vote?I suppose if all women thought of killing the “fetus” as murder, we would all view this as a very big deal. You might want to check out my blog: mywildernessvoice.blogspot.comMay God have mercy on us all.
I know you are all on fire, but I’ll be honest anyway: I want the wo/man who will do the LEAST. That includes my congress as well. Just get the F out of my way! That said, if we don’t revamp our budget we’re screwed. There is no good reason that our gov’t can’t just spend what it makes like the rest of American households have to do. Dem or Rep, I hope the next pres has a line item veto and can take that pork out. Pisses. Me. Off.aaahhh, i feel better
ONE, You don’t know me but I can assure you I am a critical thinker; the websites in fact were the last places I went to research the candidates’ platforms.Checking your website, you are an evangelical anti-choice proponent using the same tactics I have proudly marched against for the past twenty years. I might suggest that if you truly have issues with abortion, you would consider the candidates whose common sense proposals will make it more rare. A right-to-life candidate in favor of ineffective abstinence programs, against morning-after pills (which prevent the creation of a fetus), or supportive of cuts in reproductive education, in truth does nothing for the cause. And therein is the great hypocrisy of the platforms so-called “faithful” candidates. I am trying to be as diplomatic as I can here, but as a woman, a mother, an aunt, a daughter myself, the notion of religious dogma creating deplorable circumstances, particularly for the less fortunate women among us, is not something I can abide. I have never said this to a commenter before, but this is not the right forum for your views.
You nailed it.The Republicans have zip to offer us. Big fat goose egg on all the things near and dear to our hearts.The Democrats are trying to do the right thing in these areas … although I wish they’d stop trying to drag each other down and focus on what <>they<> have to offer… otherwise we may end up with a big fat gooseegg by default.Great post.
a note:This is my personal blog. I am under no obligation to accept comments that attack me or my readers, or that I simply deem offensive. The best part is, I can be entirely arbitrary! Whooo!
I’m with you, “I don’t know” who the hell I’d vote for. This is probably one of the most important elections in recent years, and I couldn’t be more apathetic. Thanks for your summation. It’s the most enlightening political information I’ve read in a loooooong time!
Oh, how I want to marry this post.And have babies with it.And then fight with Republicans about my rights as a mother.
Sadly I think the candidates’ websites are merely reflective of the hot buttons the majority of Americans are waiting to have pushed. Generally speaking we don’t care about what’s necessarily best for the nation. Instead we care about what someone we think is cool told us to care about. This spoon-fed topic is usually very litmus testy and it’s mere mention helps drive up media ratings.The chances of any candidate overturning Roe v. Wade for instance are slim to none. Same goes for taking away our constitutional right to own guns. But this is what candidates jump all over, not because they think they can do anything about it, but because the public demands it. These are our fears, and as stupid and ill-founded as they are, politicians will be right there to address our concerns in exchange for our vote.It really is a pity that as a nation we can’t actually care about something that means some shit.
Oh Kevin, I couldn’t degree more on the litmus tests. That said, how interesting that the idea of support for moms and families doesn’t somehow pass the GOP test. They don’t even pay lip service to the notion of supporting families in any substantial way. And if, like you say, the public is not demanding a stance on these issues…well then, we’re all way worse off than I thought.
Just a thought: looking at the family situation of the candidates themselves can be telling. If you could choose your family, would Bill and Hillary be at the top of your potential-parent list? I’m impressed with Mitt Romney as a husband, father, and grandfather. Does one’s personal family life reflect their priorities? I say yes.
Anon 2:01, funny enough I’ve been thinking the same thing in terms of their parental skills. It’s a fair enough point. I think we’d all be delighted to have children that turned out as well as Chelsea Clinton has – or many of the other candidates’ children, for that matter. I could garner from Chelsea that her parents instilled in her outstanding values, a sense of decency and charity, and tremendous self-esteem. I respect that. On the other hand, I’m not voting for a parent. I’m voting for a president. I wouldn’t choose Ronald Regan for a dad (nor would some of his children, or so they say) and yet there were a lot of Americans who considered him a great president.
Liz – It would be heinously lurkish of me not to comment since I’ve sent this link to everyone I know, including a few of my fellow Silicon Valley Mom Bloggers, some of whom have commented even before I saw this. Maybe I’m a little chicken because I did send it to everyone I know who would agree. It was one of those I-shouldn’t-have-been-surprised things, but the way you put it together was absolutely brilliant and provided a HUGE service.Now my husband the republican would say (and I didn’t show it to him because I was too tired this weekend to get into our typifal debate- I guess it’ll be our usualfamily vote cancellation in November) that of course they all have programs and the taxes to pay for those plans and programs will shrink your hard-earned paycheck down to next to nothing. Obviously I disagree with him, but I do feel the pain of our tax bill, especially here in California. Let’s just say “sigh” here.I’m also walking around with my permanent absentee ballot in my work bag, but I’m still undecided so I’ll probably be dropping it off at the polls on the 5th.Maybe I can get him to vote for Huckabee in the primary.
Liz, Great post. But even better, reading the comments here has been fantastic. And I, like you, am undecided. (Although, love Obama’s message and mojo. Love that we have a mom running. Love tons of other things too, but I won’t hijack here.) Mainly, I’m just loving the discussion. Thanks for creating the platform.
Love this post! I just linked to it on my site. I have been tormenting my readers with political stuff too. I’m an Obama fan, but I’ll vote Hillary if she gets the nomination. Seems to me anything would be better than what we have!
Um, thank you for your reply to ONE. I loved your post, but THAT was my favorite part.
Martha – I feel ya. I’m employed by a CA company. Even so, I feel like I’m paying my fair share and that part of living in a decent society is that we take care of our own. I’d be real happy to divert all the tax dollars going to no-bid Haliburton contracts into the FMLA. You might want to point out to your husband that your tax burden is happening at a time with a GOP president, a GOP governor, and up until recently a GOP house and senate. So the old “dems raise our taxes” line? It’s been disproven over the last 7 years. And Dana – HOLY CRAP. Did you just say that?
i’m a fan of Hillary’s. that said, i’m not sure she’s the one to win this particular election. the good news, and what i lovelovelove about NOT seeing her on the ticket, is the idea of having her remain in the Senate, if only to piss off all those “old boys”.i think Obama will be our candidate, and i think he has fantastic shot at winning the whole kit and kaboodle. my dream ticket would include John Edwards as his running mate, altho’ i’ve ALWAYS thought the former S. Carolina senator would make a terrific president, as well.whoa, what the hell was that? a <>serious<> comment?? when i haven’t been here for, like, <>months<>?? oy. what can i say, Life has been Hard. (i’ve missed you, tho’, does that soften the blow of my absence at <>all<>????) ; )
Ah, yes. “Fiscally responsible” Republicans take issue with social welfare programs like consistent enforcement of FMLA or insuring access to healthcare for children. Wall Street welfare, well, that’s another story. Apparently, in Republican Bibles, Jesus also said, “To whom much is given, you should give more.”
Here is a chart with where all the Dems stand on early education: http://fightcrime.org/action/proposals.pdf(It would have included the Rs had any of them proposed anything…)
I came back, feeling compelled by your comparing me to Limbaugh (although honestly, I wouldn’t know because I can’t stand to listen to more than 2 seconds of crap like that). But then my lovely and really very conciliatory post vanished into the ether of random windows lost on my screen. But, to clarify, again. I like Hillary’s positions on things. I think she’s been a fine senator (in part perhaps due to her desire to be president, of course, but that doesn’t make her any different than a lot of others there). However, I don’t want another “I’m right, so if you don’t agree, you’re wrong” president. Sure, I’d rather one that shares most of my beliefs rather than the current one, but if I can have more than that? I want it. I want someone who doesn’t have scores to settle. It’s definitely not a gender thing or a color thing — I think that’s in both of their favor. But I sure do wish she’d not played so dirty, so fast and with such, well, “now it gets fun” sort of attitude. And then Bill. Sigh. I voted for him twice and I’ve have done it again in 2000, if we were allowed. I hated that Gore marginalized him in his campaign (or so I assumed). But the stuff now? It’s wrong. I’m glad they say they’re pulling back a bit. Leave that for the real meanies.
I have a friend who’s going Obama now that Kucinich is out of the race, and she was horrified, HORRIFIED that I’m leaning Clinton. Because of Bill and his antics, really. I said, Erm, I’m not contemplating voting for Hitler here, she’s a DEMOCRAT. Settle down. Geez.I’m ok with any of them, Obama, Clinton, or Edwards. Really, I’d like Edward’s wife to win. She’s awesome.
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