One of the things I focus on at my own blog is telling the stories of Women’s History. As a teacher, it became obvious to me early on that there was a lot of focus on black history and practically none on women’s history in grades K-12. In fact, I myself had to attend college to learn anything about this fascinating trajectory within history. I was 22 years old before I ever heard the names Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul. I swore then that I would do my best to educate as many women as I could about their own compelling history. With that in mind, I offer you the tale of one of the most controversial American women to ever grace our great nation. A leader in business and journalism, she came from a poor and questionable background, but she eventually made her way so high that she directly challenged the existing status quo. That’s what gadflies do.

Victoria Woodhull is a special case, and no other time in our history has been more appropriate to a lesson on her than right now. Maybe it’s because I share her wildness, having come from similar poor and roaming roots. Maybe I have an affinity for her because she was ahead of her time. Whatever the reason, she’s one of my all time favorite historical figures. She was controversial and courageous in so many ways. So indulge me a little if you will (it is Sunday after all), as I tell you the story of a poor girl exploited by her family, who then took on the world with her doe eyes, her rosy cheeks, and her mental acuity, and actually made some progress for women in America.

In her most controversial act, fearlessly, Woodhull declared her candidacy for U. S. President in 1872 (Equal Rights Party), and she had the money to support such a campaign, though not the vote. She was the first woman ever to run for that high office in America. But her origins were much different, and along the way, she left a trail broken barriers. She was nothing like Hillary Clinton, who has always played it straight every day of her life, but she was similarly defiant in the face of criticism, and every bit as accomplished and inspiring.

Victoria California Claflin was born in Homer, Ohio to a rough and ready family. Her father, Reuben, eventually took Victoria and her sister Tennessee on a traveling medicine show, exploiting them for “psychic healing.” Tennessee and Victoria grew very close during this tumultuous, uncertain time, and would remain together throughout their lives. At 15, Victoria married a doctor, Channing Woodhull, whose name she would keep even after they divorced ten years later. They had two children, Byron and Zulu.

Before the divorce, though, Woodhull had moved herself, her sister Tennessee, and her two children to New York City where she began to make connections among wealthy New Yorkers. One of these connections, a certain Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt, helped finance Victoria in the very first female-run brokerage house in New York City in 1870. Calling it Woodhull, Claflin & Company, she proceeded to expand her empire from there, establishing the Woodhull & Claflin Weekly newspaper shortly thereafter. After success in their brokerage firm, the sisters were given the nicknames “Queens of Finance” and “Bewitching Brokers,” and they quickly earned a notorious reputation for the content of their newspaper. As if it were perfectly normal, the newspaper published articles on “free love,” divorce, sex outside of marriage, and, famously, was the first publication in America to publish the Communist Manifesto.

Of course, this entire time, rumors were swirling within the privileged NYC community (and beyond, due to tabloids) that the sisters were promiscuous or worse, prostitutes, and how their rhetoric was irreligious and immoral. But the sisters didn’t care. They recognized that any publicity was good publicity for women’s rights. And they wanted to be a part of that. Others within the women’s movement disagreed. They thought Woodhull and Claflin were bringing shame and notoriety to the cause of women’s rights, and that it would set it back. I contend that as a matter of history, the sisters were right. They set the margin, quite frankly. Give us rights, or you get more of this. And apparently, it worked, because by 1871, Victoria was giving a speech before Congress.

In fact, she preempted the opening of the National Women’s Suffrage Associations 3rd Annual Convention in Washington D.C., which immediately convened to go see her speak. There she argued such a revolutionary idea–that women already had the right to vote because woman was man’s equal, and thus covered under the Constitution–that many Suffragist leaders, including Stanton and Anthony, immediately invited her to represent their cause. Just as importantly, the argument was powerfully logical to several of the Committee members to which she delivered her speech. Thus, politics was the third realm, after business and publishing, that were traditionally men’s realms, that Victoria had taken on and won.

Reminder!

We have 51 Days to stop the DONC.

We will be mounting a weekend Fundraiser starting later today to raise funds for Canvassing and Outreach for our Protest of the Election. Get a jump now and donate this morning if you can, and THANK you! You can Contribute HERE!

Good morning/afternoon folks! Hope you are all well and working your prowls, or enjoying whatever it is you’re doing this lovely Saturday. I know all eyes are on Texas right now, where it is anything but lovely. Whatever goodwill you may offer, whether you pray or send good thoughts and hope for a better tomorrow, I’m sure it is much appreciated.

Today we’re offering a blog roundup for those interested in what’s being said in the quiet little corners of the Internet. This is where the coal of our discourse is being pressed into diamonds as we speak. There are a few diamonds in the rough, but most of these sparkling gems are already finished, they were just waiting for someone to dig them out. These are our foot soldiers in this war of rhetoric, so give ‘em some traffic and some comments, if you can. So without further ado, modified and re-posted from Peacocks and Lilies:

I don’t know about you, but I’m about outraged out. Of course, I haven’t turned the TV on yet, or listened to radio’s boarhounds yet. But I have found some pretty good stuff around the Internet.

We’ll start this blog roundup with Joseph over at Cannonfire. He’s documenting the atrocities coming from Democrats this year. Remember way back when documenting atrocities was Atrios’ job?

But back to Cannonfire. You really want to read that post. Here’s a teaser:

In decades to come, objective observers will look at today’s pseudo-”progressive” movement with unmitigated disgust.

Since silence equals complicity, I hold ALL Obots responsible for these smear campaigns. I have never seen a major post or editorial by a left-wing writer excoriating these lies. Instead, the Obots dare to accuse McCain of engaging in “swiftboat tactics,” even though the Obots themselves have manned the swiftboats since December.

You aren’t going to want to miss all the debunking going on over there, including the debunking of this shocking smear tactic right here, from Obama’s campaign itself. (Since updated)

Next up is Bud White, from Bud White’s World, in which Bud snarks on the 50-State strategy, which has become another casualty in this election-war. Then he analyzes why they had to kill it, and why they should have known it was just ear-candy for Progressive Dudes. A sliver to whet your appetite:

A narrative was developed in the blogosphere that Obama, unlike Hillary, would be able to touch the hearts of red state conservatives and turn them into Democrats. Hillary was too polarizing, it was argued, and she would be fighting for Kerry’s states plus 1.

It was mandatory at dailykos to believe that Obama was a map-changer. A diarist from North Dakota named Ab2kgj, in a post which would be funny if it weren’t so painful, suggested that Obama had a real shot at grabbing that state:

Yep, basically what I’ve been thinking about for a while now.

Clyde over at Clyde’s Place articulates perfectly the problem with Gloria Steinem’s LA Times hit piece. To wit:

Steinem compounds her problems by making the same mistake so many other so called defenders of women’s rights have made over the past few days. She discards all logic and states that because she (Palin) agrees with McCain, that somehow makes her unworthy of being a vice-presidential pick. In other words, if you aren’t Democrat, or if your views might stray a bit from what the Steinem viewpoint is, then instead of vying to become vice president you should be home baking an apple pie, putting on a negligee and taking care of your man.

That pretty much nails it for me. The Democratic Party is so sexist, even its so-called leading feminists will join the pile on, trying to keep conservative women tied to their children and their kitchen. Well, we did ask for more transparency in government, but I don’t this is exactly what we meant. Now we know. Democrats suck for women, and apparently the party turns them into some sort of twisted Stockholm Victim-mentality mannequins. No thanks, Gloria.

Don’t miss LadyBoomerNYC’s offering, a fantastic take on life post-anti-Convention. Here’s a slice of her wonderful and moving narrative:

I hesitated protectively, having lived undercover using my handle for so long that I had to consciously produce my real name in my head before saying it. “Actually, I’ve been doing a lot of writing most of the year, political writing. Do you know what blogs are? I have a blog and contribute to other sites and efforts.”

They continued the conversation as they scurried about their business, “Oh really, and who were you supporting for President?”

My personal self gulped inside my political self having been so underground and divided, “Actually, I was supporting Hillary Clinton, working to get her elected. I still support her and believe she would make the best President.”

They both jumped to attention and gravitated back to the counter to face me, “Really? We’re for her too!”

(See why I can’t stop?) “That’s great,” I cooed, as I came clean, telling them about my blog and links to others, our efforts prior to and during Denver, and our work to ensure a roll call, a floor vote, and a record of the truth about this election.

They pointed out to me, “It’s just like 2000, Gore and Bush!”

But go read the whole thing. It’s the kind of analysis-couched-in-personal-stories that has been driving the Creative Nonfiction genre for several years now. Wonderful stuff. LadyB, you so deserve to be published and paid for what you do.

For all you McKinney-supporting PUMAs out there, Tennessee Guerrilla Woman has a post up on McKinney speaking about election integrity. You remember elections integrity, don’t you? Lack of it is what we used to blame Republicans for in 2000, before the Dem guy did it too in 2008, and not even to the other side, but to one of his own.

This little gem from SugarNSpice must not be overlooked. This post comments on the meaning of and reaction to Palin’s use of the term “Community Organizer,” then takes a really close look at Obama’s accomplishments as a community organizer. Read it, know it, re-tell it. That’s how narrative-building works.

And finally, because this is the most satisfying jumble of words I’ve read in months:

The Democrats are in a panic. In a presidential race that is impossible to lose, they are

behind. Obama devotees are frantically giving advice. Tom Friedman tells him to “start  slamming down some phones.” Camille Paglia suggests, “be boring!”

Meanwhile, a posse of Democratic lawyers, mainstream reporters, lefty bloggers, and various other Obamaphiles are scouring the vast tundra of Alaska for something, anything, to bring down Sarah Palin: her daughter’s pregnancy, her ex-brother-in-law problem, her $60 per diem, and now her religion. (CNN reports — news flash! — that she apparently has never spoken in tongues.) Not since Henry II asked if no one would rid him of his turbulent priest, have so many so urgently volunteered for duty.

But Palin is not just a problem for Obama. She is also a symptom of what ails him. Before Palin, Obama was the ultimate celebrity candidate. For no presidential nominee in living memory had the gap between adulation and achievement been so great. Which is why McCain’s Paris Hilton ads struck such a nerve. Obama’s meteoric rise was based not on issues — there was not a dime’s worth of difference between him and Hillary on issues — but on narrative, on eloquence, on charisma.

The unease at the Denver convention, the feeling of buyer’s remorse, was the Democrats’ realization that the arc of Obama’s celebrity had peaked — and had now entered a period of its steepest decline. That Palin could so instantly steal the celebrity spotlight is a reflection of that decline.

It was inevitable. Obama had managed to stay aloft for four full years. But no one can levitate forever.

Well it looks like Obama has more talent than we knew. He can multitask! Not only does he find time in his busy, busy day to trash talk uppity women into submission by calling them pigs and smelly fish (what is this? gammar school??), he ALSO finds the time to threaten the political careers of distinguished women Congresswomen who stood by Hillary and stand up for their voters. Sheila Jackson Lee, a true Hillary ally in Texas, is facing a Democratic challenger who is well-funded and supported by Obama and the DONC. Heidi Li fills us in on the details HERE. 

Remember back on June 7th when we said, “Thank You Hilary Clinton, We’ll Take It From Here”? (reread it if you ever find your inspiration or determination flagging) Well, that’s what we’ve been doing ever since, and helping Sheila Jackson Lee is now OUR job.

Our goal today is to raise $5,000 for Sheila Jackson Lee. Let’s send the message LOUD AND CLEAR to Obama and the DONC: Pumas are EVERYWHERE. We watch out for our own. Don’t mess with us in Texas.

Puma PAC will start things off with a pledge of $1,000. No contribution is too small. If 400 of us donate just $10 each, then we’ll reach our goal before noon.

Please donate to Sheila using THIS LINK. In the message box, please write: “Thank you Sheila for all that you do. In the words of Hillary Clinton, KEEP RUNNING!” Remember to mention that you’re a member of Puma PAC.

Let’s hear some bragging! We’ll keep a running tally until we reach $5,000, so be sure to let us know in comments after you make your donation. 

If you are in the greater Houston area (or you just feel like visiting Texas at this beautiful time of year), please consider attending this event, or sponsoring someone else to go in your place. (thanks again to Heidi Li)

Calling all Clinton Dems!

Hillary will be attending a reception for Sheila Jackson Lee on September 21st in Houston Texas and they need your help! This is no ordinary fundraiser…

There appears to be an all out effort on to oust representatives that supported Hillary from their congressional seats. Sheila is one of them. 

 

Big money players are supporting Sheila’s opponent and really putting the heat on. The “politics of personal destruction” is their game. The smear campaign is in full swing.

 

Sheila stood with Hillary though her entire primary run and received threats, intimidation and namecalling just for supporting her. This kind of behavior can not be rewarded! Please come to her defense by attending this Houston fundraiser.

 

If you can’t be there, please consider donating to her campaign.

 

JOIN HILLARY IN HOUSTON, SEPT 21, 1.30 PM

 

Invitation (Please RSVP):

 

www.sheilajacksonlee18.com

Please support Sheila if you can.

 

 

QUICK UPDATE: Be sure to listen in tonight to The Lion’s Share on Puma United Radio (PURrrr) at 8pm eastern. Sheri, Riverdaughter, and I have a jam-packed show planned for tonight. Listen live HERE!

They are so scared. More scared than they’ve been since Hillary Clinton moved into the White House. They do this every time they get this scared, and they never get this scared of a man. Other people might wonder how politics and the media can be filled with so many pearl-clutchers when there are so few women in either profession, but such is the case. Some might suggest these folks were a little too close to mamma to grow up to be functional men, if you know what I mean. Still others might suggest it’s an intimacy-issues thing, the result of being cuckolded by empowered, irritated, unsatisfied wives. Whatever the source of this neuroses and dysfunction, the result is always the same:

Gary Kamiya’s article in Salon was graced by that picture of Palin. That picture of Hillary is from Spy Magazine, circa February 1993, just a month after she and Bill arrived in Washington. This is the Fourth Estate’s enfeebled attempt police the political class. But it only shows how distorted and mentally diseased they are, how much privilege they’ve been able to secure, which is to say, way too much. Maybe we need to run a Psychiatrist for president, so we can have these images translated for the media as they publish them.

What they don’t think about, because it’s so far outside the limited borders of their bubbled brains, is what effect this sort of propaganda has on some people, especially people aware of and open to feminist sentiments. That Spy Magazine cover made me a life-long fan of Hillary Clinton at the tender age of 22, and articulated in one image what she’s had to fight as a woman in politics all her life. It also made me shed the bullshit rhetoric swirling around women in my age group at the time that feminism wasn’t necessary anymore, and was odious to boot. The sympathy it created in me spurred the birth of a barrier wall in my brain, which grew with every dirty trick Republicans of the 1990s threw at Hillary or Bill. A lot of other Americans experienced this too. This wall of static sound developed for a lot of people, so that by 1995 all most people heard when they listened to Clinton critics and naysayers was a whole lot of what Lucy and Charlie hear when adults speak in a Peanuts cartoon: Waa-WAA-Waa-WAA-WAA.

But there was a danger I wasn’t aware of at the time, and the thought of that missed danger plagues me today. The kids of the 1990s weren’t able to build that wall of static, they absorbed and internalized all of those unfounded charges and characterizations. And because they were too young to understand what was going on, because parents felt uncomfortable talking about it to them because of the Lewinsky-sex issue, the little seeds of hate Republicans were trying to sow at the time landed in a lot of young, fertile hearts. And look where we are today. We’ve got young women so stupefied from all the confusion they can’t even see overt, rank sexism before their very eyes. We’ve got other, older women so hooked in to the white male power structure they’re unwilling to risk losing anything, to risk being put into leather and chains themselves, even if just in pictures. We’ve got a lot of young men monkeying those Republicans from the 90s, even some young men ostensibly smart enough to know better. These are monsters built in the ideological ovens of the 1990s. This is the legacy of 1990s, of all those Republican hit jobs.

This is the also danger we face today. Make no mistake about it. You cannot just go back to your couch, to watching Lost and House and whatever reality TV show it is you follow. Young women and men today, my 14 year old daughter among them, are absorbing the heat of the hit jobs this year. It is baking into their very flesh. IF Hillary runs in 2012, my daughter will be old enough to vote. What choice will she make after all she’s seen this year? So far she’s still an Obama fan, even though she now understands what Hillary had to deal with, and sympathizes with me over the sexism she herself can now identify. But just yesterday, as she sauntered off to bed, she couldn’t resist snarkily throwing this little gem in my face: “Why do you want four more years of Bush, Mom?” This is where she is after living her whole life with a feminist Hillary Clinton supporter. After all she knows about what happened this year, and because I am her mom she knows the whole sorry tale (and is sorry to hear it again), this is still the argument that works for her in her politically budding mind.

This is why we fight. We fight for my daughter and the millions of girls like her who are endangered by the sexist rhetoric that passes for media these days. We fight for the millions of boys who are looking at the Progressive Dude Nation right now, at their style, their pazzazz, their irreverence, and who are wanting to posture the same stance one day if they haven’t adopted it already. There is more at stake than just this year, this election, or the next four years. There are legions of young minds being shaped, and we must inform them, using rhetoric that is natural to their intellect, of what is going on right now and what is possible for the future.

Reminder: We DO need funds to keep our momentum. Our budget has always been lean and mean — no salaries, consultants, lobbyists, etc etc — but even the grassiest grass-roots effort needs help. Please consider a donation today. You can contribute HERE, and THANK you!

Cross-posted from Peacocks and Lilies.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The other side, suddenly, they’re saying ‘we’re for change too,” Obama told the crowd. “You can put lipstick on a pig. It’s still a pig. You can wrap up an old fish in a piece of paper and call it change. It’s still going to stink after eight years. We’ve had enough.” Barack Obama, 9/9/08.

Yeah, Barack — we’ve had enough too.

So, WHAT DID OBAMA REALLY MEAN? Why did he chuckle and wait for the jeering laughter from his crowd of followers?

Obama, I think today even you are starting to realize that you have 99 problems and  a “bitch” certainly IS one.

UPDATE 9/10/08 AT 12:06pm eastern: In response to the furor over yesterday’s “lipstick on a pig” remark, today Obama told us, “Spare me the phony outrage.” Well, okay then. We’ll spare you the phony outrage Barack and give you the authentic variety on November 4th. That sure will be Sweet-ie.

Nothing On Top for Obama in 2008. 

Vote for Democrats for every slot you in good conscience can. But vote for Obama? After what he did to Hillary Clinton? After he didn’t even consider her or her 18 million voters when he chose Joe BoringBiden. After what he did to Alice Palmer? After what he did to his grandmother? After what he did to Geraldine Ferraro? After what he did to the Sweetie Reporter? After what he did to Sarah Palin? After what he did and continues to do to all of us?

I don’t think so. No matter what shrieking shade of purple or red lipstick the increasingly Desperate One tries to put on today to spin his way out of this one, IT IS STILL A SEXIST PIG.

Oh, and because I just can’t resist taking one more jab at these hate-filled demagogues who have used every slimy tactic in the Swamp Misogyny guidebook to get us to shut up, sit down, and do as we’re told, let’s put some lipstick on this Sexist Pig.

Reminder: We DO need funds to keep our momentum. Our budget has always been lean and mean — no salaries, consultants, lobbyists, etc etc — but even the grassiest grass-roots effort needs help. Please consider a donation today. You can contribute HERE, and THANK you!

Everyone is talking about the latest USA Today/Gallup poll showing McCain up 10 over Obama as of yesterday. This poll was conducted September 5th -7th — completely after the RNC Convention. If the numbers hold, McCain’s Convention bounce will be bigger than 10 points, more like 18-20 points, since McCain went into his party’s convention trailing Obama in national polls on average about 8 points.

Hmmmm. Much was made last week when Obama broke 50% in national polls for the first time (a poll of 700 registered voters, with respondents skewing Democratic, but I digress). I predict that his fleeting brush with the 50-mark is the highest he’ll ever go. Barack Hologram Obama, your glory days are behind you. You flew too far, too fast, on too much hot air. Off script you mumble; off pedestal you fumble.

Hillary Clinton would have been like a rock. Imperturbable to Palin-mania and impervious to attacks on her experience, her achievements, or her expertise. Hillary Clinton’s only vulnerability to Republicans would have been her record. A 35-year long history of achievements underpinned by an adamant commitment to progressive, inclusive, do-good policies and politics. Oh my goodness, imagine! A Democratic candidate who is not popular with Republican voters because of her Substance, her Politics, and her Policies. Now that’s a candidate the base will rally around. That’s a candidate who deserves a mandate.

Honestly, exactly who does Barack Hologram Obama appeal to today? Well, the children still love him I suppose (Kids, prepare yourself for disillusionment; prepare for your first political cold shower — it’s a comin’), but other than those neophyte cuties, the only Democrats left clamoring hysterically for B. Hologram O. are panicked sell-outs like Gloria Allred and desperate shriekers like Nancy and Howard. Of course the monsters of Swamp Misogyny are still flinging poop for him, big surprise (with friends like these . . .). Other than that lunatic fringe, polls show and will continue to show, the rest of the country is BORED WITH BARACK (we’ve been BORED WITH BIDEN SINCE 1988) and has MOVED ON.

Hillary Clinton: Like a rock. Barack Hologram Obama: SINKING LIKE A STONE.

(it’s too early to say I told you so, right? Yeah, too early — but today the savory aroma of satisfaction is starting to waft its way toward Puma Nation)

McCain and Palin face surging crowds on the campaign trail (Heckuva job, Howie. Same to you Donna, Nancy, and Harry. Nice work Super Delegates)

Psst, Obama is a Weakling — Pass it on.

News last night from The NY Times, via Riverdaughter, that Obama has run home to Big Sister to plead with her to fight his battle with Saracuda Palin for him. Oh, the poor Precious! Can’t face a tough woman on his own, huh? What’s the matter Barack? Just tell Saracuda that she’s likable enough. Call her a Sweetie and tell the media that she gets moody and bitchy periodically when she’s feeling down. That oughtta work. Or send Sebelius — woo-hoo! I’m sure she can take on Palin and come out of the encounter victorious.

Or, in the words of Anglachel (“Audacity Defecit”):

“Biden is a sign of weakness because of who Obama passed over.Whether or not you would have wanted to see Hillary as VP, that choice would have been a measure of his confidence in working with a more senior politician with her own dedicated power base. There is no corollary for McCain to choose from on the Republican side because there is no one of that stature in his party. I mean, can you think of anyone? To have selected Hillary would have fallen somewhere on the “no guts, no glory” scale between JFK offering the post to LBJ (grudgingly, wanting a rejection, knowing it was the key to victory) and Bill asking Al (unafraid of the competition, respectful of Al’s greater national statute, gambling on a powerful adminstrative team). Biden has mocked Obama in public, there is no synergy in the pairing, there is not enough contrast to produce creative counter balance, and Biden stands as repudiation of all the message of change.”

OR, BARACK — IF, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE SINCE JANUARY WHEN YOU FIRST DECIDED TO SIT BACK AND ALLOW THE SEXIST ONSLAUGHT FROM YOUR CRONIES IN THE MAINSTREAM AND NEW MEDIA DO YOUR DIRTY WORK FOR YOU, YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON “LIBERAL, PROGRESSIVE” POLITICAL THINKERS LIKE THE GEMS AT THE DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND TO PUT THIS KIND OF STUFF OUT THERE FOR YOUR BENEFIT. (h/t to Taggles for finding this scum)

HUGS and LOVE FROM DENVER

PUMAS – stay the course.  We expected this.  Our mission has not changed.  This is no longer about Senator Clinton – this is about all of us who have been told to sit down, shut up and fall in line.   This is about all of us in Denver and around the nation who have been counted out.

I ask that ALL PUMAS consider Hillary’s message from last night.

“When you hear the dogs – KEEP RUNNING!”

We will not sit down.  We will continue to fight. 

We will remember in November.

WE STILL OWN OUR VOTES!

 FOCUS ON THE MISSION. DEMOCRACY.

Tomorrow is a new day.  Be good to each other.  We must remain united.

Mama, Murphy, Maryland

I will post more when things calm down here in Denver.

That was Hillary’s message to us. KEEP RUNNING. Never give up. Never quit.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS. WELCOME DEMOCRATS — PROTEST THE 2008 ELECTION. JOIN US HERE!

Posted in 2008 Presidential Race, Hillary Clinton, Politics | Tagged 2008 Presidential Race,Democratic Convention, DNC, Hillary Clinton, Just Say No Deal, Politics, PUMA | No Comments