By Jeff Simpson
Feeling Nostalgic on A Sunday Morning, so I thought I would re-post this:
As Raw Story reported, a particularly contentious exchange began when state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, the only Democrat to testify, explained her opposition to the bill by reading letters from her constituents.
“The idea of -- quote -- small government is in direct conflict with big government Republicans sticking their nose in my vagina,” Vinehout read from a letter. “How can we get the conservatives -- mostly men -- to quit blaming women, many times girls, solely for unwanted pregnancies?”
Vinehout then went on to read a correspondence from a rape survivor in her district. The woman argued that supporters of the bill were not thinking about the "emotional toll" that those who had become pregnant through unreported rape may be subjected to when forced to submit to an ultrasound after choosing an abortion. Under the bill, technicians are required to describe the size, location and number of fetuses, as well as identify any viewable internal organs or external features, according to the Associated Press.
Vinehout then admitted that the story was especially powerful to her because she herself had struggled with the results of being sexually assaulted as a teenager.
But the issue extended beyond mandatory ultrasounds and detailed information, Vinehout said. She argued that the bill's new restrictions on abortion providers would work against the ultimate goal of reducing abortions, an objective that Vinehout said both she and her Republicans colleagues sought.
“And if we truly want to make abortion rare, Mr. President, why are we defunding Planned Parenthood?” she said. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and state Republicans have targeted funds for the women's health provider repeatedly in past years, forcing it to shutter a number of facilities.
Whatever happened to that Senator Vinehout, hasn't she been in the news lately?
This is exactly why any Dem who questions Sen. Vinehout's stances on reproductive rights are not being truthful. The Falk people tried this in 2012, and the Burke people are whispering it now. STOP IT.
ReplyDeleteIt was Sen. Vinehout's strong speech against the trans-vag ultrasound bill that drove Mike Ellis over the cliff into his meltdown, and I see little difference between her stance and Bill Clinton's "Safe, legal, and rare." By the way, why is it such a given that Mary Burke is all about reproductive freedom. Do we have a track record of this?
She has voted repeatedly to deny birth control to women and limit access to medical care for women. Changed her positions when she decided to run for statewide office does not whitewash her voting record.
Deletehttp://www.wxow.com/story/23792958/2013/10/25/burke-says-she-would-work-to-repeal-ultrasound-abortion-law
ReplyDeletegareth -- she must not want to get poked...
ReplyDeleteShe a great meat and potatoes Senator. She smart, articulate and straight forward. She lacks charisma. Would she make a great governor - yes - is she electable - no . It's all about money.
ReplyDeleteYou clearly have not met Katjleen Vinehout or seen her speak in person. Charisma and fire is one of her biggest positives, along with command of the issues.
DeleteWhich is why I think money would be less of a concern than many others think, as Vinehout would drive a lot of people into donating that otherwise wouldn't, like Obama 2008 and Warren 2012.
It is hard to believe that anyone who has met Kathleen Vinehout would say she lacks charisma. Have you met her, Anonymous? If so, try again maybe she had an off day. Her Charisma is infectious!
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly.
DeleteI hope KV gets a short rest, she was having trouble with a sore throat on WPT's Here and Now. Didn't stop her from being right on target with the answers.
I have met KV at the Public House - she has a constantly hoarse voice but lacks polish and political charisma. Great person - smart, knowledgable but unelectable. I like her as a person and senator. Just don't think she has it. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteIf Mary Burke has political charisma I haven't seen it yet. Walker has political charisma in the sense that he's a shameless, opportunistic, sociopath who lies reflexively and is utterly without compassion. This is appealing to his embittered and psychically-wounded authoritarian base. So charisma isn't everything. Sometimes you want to run from it.
ReplyDeleteCharisma is largely manufactured through professional use of makeup, lighting, costume and appearances in front of hand-picked, coached audiences who are prompted to applaud wildly at appropriate times. Do citizens really crave the charismatic over someone expressing an authentic, intelligent personality? Maybe public life really is all Show Biz now. Time will tell.
I wish I could say it ain't so Gareth, but it is purchased media and the 30 second sound bite that wins most of the time. Campaign finance reform may level the playing field, but don't expect it anytime soon.
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