I suppose it had to happen eventually. All the interest groups that think they had a hand in Obama’s win, no matter how significant, are lining up to get the post-election handouts- and aren’t going to be subtle about going after ’em. I mean, I expect it from people like Karl Rove, who today credited himself with Obama’s win. But NOW- the National Organization for Women?
“There’s definitely been a reaction to the few groups that have been named so far,” said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. “I agree with those who are concerned that it would have been nice to see more women.”
And:
“I have been struck by how few women have been mentioned for high-level positions,” said former Vermont Gov. Madeleine Kunin, who worked on the Clinton transition. “It’s still very early, so I don’t want to reach conclusions yet. But the rumors are a flashing yellow light.”
For God’s sake, there’ve been, what? Two appointments to cabinet positions in the Obama administration, and already we’re bellyaching and firing up the manufactured outrage machine?
The Rachel Maddow Show has been on MSNBC since September 8, 2008. As far as I am concerned Maddow is the best news show on television. She is also only second to Keith Olbermann in ratings. Who says there isn’t a huge market out there in progressive America.
No point trying to avoid the obvious. Several of the most recent diaries here have actually become intense and fascinating debates about the legacy of sexism after the election.
Above is a word cloud of the debate so far – around 4pm EST 15th Nov.
One of the most delightful memories I have of my time spent in Washington DC during Jimmy Carter’s tenure, was his support for jazz while he lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
My most prized momento from that period is my invitation to a jazz concert on the White House lawn on June 18, 1978, held in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival.
Back in June, I observed that political machinations reverted into the oldest stereotypes – namely that women should ONLY be depicted as wives or mothers. Unfortunately now that the transition is in place it would appear that we are headed back in that direction with Michelle Obama’s recent visit to the White House with Laura Bush.
In an interview with CNN’s WH Correspondent Elaine Quijano, Bush describes the meeting:
QUIJANO: The role of the First Lady is certainly something that I’m sure you discussed with Mrs. Obama earlier this week. How did that visit go? And could you tell us any anecdotes?
BUSH: Well it went great. It was very private, really. It was really much more, I think, two mothers talking about home more in this visit, because of course I showed her the rooms that are our girls’ rooms now that I think are the perfect rooms for her girls when they move there.
We talked more about really making the White House a home for a family. And what I know from having lived here and from visiting my mother-in-law when she made this family a home and from reading about all the other families that have lived here is this house really can be a home. And I know that they’ll make it that way for their little girls.
QUIJANO: Certainly, there must be some increased pressure, a lot of scrutiny, of course, living in the White House. I was wondering, did you share any advice with her as a mother who has been through it, having had two daughters spending some formative years?
BUSH: Not really. I think I showed her the closets, I showed her all the things that women are interested in. But I didn’t try to give her a lot of advice. I know she knows that she can make it home.
And that’s what she wants to do.
QUIJANO: Last question then. Your husband, the day after the election, talked about it being a stirring sight to see the Obamas because of the historic nature of having the nation’s first African-American president. I wonder if you could share your thoughts on that, as well?
BUSH: Well I also think it’s very, very important. I think it’s important for American history. I think it’s a message to everybody in the United States of what’s possible. But it’s also a message around the world because I know, because I heard from them, that there were leaders in the — around the world who didn’t think the United States would elect an African-American man. And so, I think it’s a really important message about our own democracy to people around the world.
QUIJANO: Mrs. Bush, thank you so much.
BUSH: Thanks a lot. Thanks a lot.
Watch:
And because its Friday and I cannot think of something positive to say about the meeting, or how pathetic this sounds in the year 2008, I’d like to think that the end of the meeting went something like this:
Maybe her and Michelle burned one in the Rose Garden and then Laura showed her where she grows her own.
Laura: The Secret Service NEVER comes in here. I tell George it’s where the government keeps Noriega and only Cheney is allowed in there. He just nods and pretends he knows it. HEY! Why don’t I just leave the equipment and sh*t for you?
I thought that Andrea Mitchell’s sources on the SOS appointment were high level Obama aids. I was a bit surprised to see a bit of a turn on Matthews and Olbermann. They need to wrap this appointment up now.
For your entertainment pleasure I offer the strange world of Mooses
Let me tell you why I am excited this afternoon. I was born in Omaha, Nebraska and grew up there the first seven years of my life before my family moved to California. Omaha is home to a respectable number of liberal Democrats who would no sooner vote for a Republican than play touch football on a freeway during rush hour. I am living proof of the truth of that statement.
From across the pond this morning comes a chilling story of the Russo-Georgian conflict this summer- and a realization, if one was needed, on who exactly is in charge of the Russian Republic.
Nicolas Sarkozy saved the President of Georgia from being hanged “by the balls” – a threat made last summer by Vladimir Putin, according to an account that emerged yesterday from the Élysée Palace.
That’s right, folks- when he wasn’t busy doing this…
… he was demonstrating clearly exactly who is in charge of the Russian Republic- if any evidence was needed. In the process, though, he may just have provided us with one of the few silver linings to the cloud that is the Bush Administration.
