Rachel Maddow Ratings Soar
Posted on October 22, 2008
Filed Under Entertainment, Gay/Lesbian, Media, News, Television, Women | Comments Off on Rachel Maddow Ratings Soar
Rachel Maddow, a woman who does not own a television set, has done something that is virtually unheard of: she has doubled the audience for a cable news channel’s 9 p.m. hour in a matter of days.
“The Rachel Maddow Show,” her left-leaning news and commentary program, has averaged a higher rating among 25- to 54-year-olds than “Larry King Live” on CNN for 13 of the 25 nights she has been host.
Ms. Maddow’s regular appearances on “Countdown” and her popularity on the Internet has certainly helped her ratings. Ms. Maddow, a former AIDS activist, was also presumably helped by her four years on the Air America radio network. (More)
Racism and the Obama Campaign
Posted on October 17, 2008
Filed Under Elections 2008, Politics, Women | Comments Off on Racism and the Obama Campaign
The latest newsletter by an Republican women’s group depicts Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama surrounded by a watermelon, ribs and a bucket of fried chicken, prompting outrage in political circles.
The October newsletter by the Chaffey Community Republican Women Federated says if Obama is elected his image will appear on food stamps — instead of dollar bills like other presidents. The statement is followed by an illustration of “Obama Bucks” — a phony $10 bill featuring Obama’s face on a donkey’s body, labeled “United States Food Stamps.”
The group’s president, Diane Fedele, said she plans to send an apology letter to her members and to apologize at the club’s meeting next week. She said she simply wanted to deride a comment Obama made over the summer about how as an African-American he “doesn’t look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills.”
“It was strictly an attempt to point out the outrageousness of his statement. I really don’t want to go into it any further,” Fedele said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I absolutely apologize to anyone who was offended. That clearly wasn’t my attempt.”
We found yet another racist depiction of Obama on a waffle box! Absolutely outrageous.
Obama has not spoken much about racism during this campaign. He has sought to emphasize connections among Americans rather than divisions. He has shrugged off safety concerns that led to early Secret Service protection and has told black senior citizens who worry that racists will do him harm: “Don’t fret.”
Roe V. Wade and Our Next President
Posted on October 17, 2008
Filed Under Elections 2008, Health, Justice, Politics, Women | Comments Off on Roe V. Wade and Our Next President
If you watched or listened to the entire presidential debate last night between Barack Obama and John McCain, you would have heard a very interesting joust between the two men over abortion and Roe v. Wade.
Both White House contenders have differing opinions on the 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. Obama is pro-choice, while McCain is pro-life. Debate moderator Bob Shieffer of CBS asked the two men if they could nominate someone to the Supreme Court who disagrees with them on abortion. It’s expected that whoever is the next president, at least one of the justices will retire.
Both candidates said they wouldn’t apply a litmus test – a question asked of a potential candidate, the answer to which might determine whether the person nominating that candidate would proceed with the appointment or nomination.
“I have never … imposed a litmus test on any nominee to the court, that’s not appropriate,” McCain, R-AZ, said.
Although he said Roe v. Wade was a “bad decision,” McCain said he favors leaving states to decide whether or not they will allow the procedure, when and under what conditions. He said Supreme Court nominees should be first and foremost considered because of their qualifications, not their abortion view.
But, when pressed whether he would nominate someone who has supported abortion, McCain, calling himself “proudly pro-life,” gets a little hypocritical: “I would consider anyone in their qualifications. I do not believe that someone who has supported Roe v. Wade that would be part of those qualifications. But I certainly would not impose any litmus test.”
Obama also said no “strict litmus” test would be imposed, and said he believes the Constitution does in fact include a woman’s right to privacy. Roe v. Wade also shouldn’t be subject to state referendum for states to alter at their whim, he added.
“It is true, this is going to be one of the most consequential decisions of the next president,” the Illinois senator said. “I would not apply a litmus test but I am somebody who believes Roe v. Wade was rightly decided.”[via wowowow]
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