A Patriotic Champ: Tammy Duckworth and a Red Flag Chump: Bob McDonnell
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Because we’re celebrating our nation’s independence, we’re honoring Lt. Colonel Tammy Duckworth — a Planned Parenthood Action Fund-endorsed candidate who is an Iraq war veteran running for Congress in the 8th District of Illinois.
This past Sunday, Duckworth’s opponent, Representative Joe Walsh delivered a shocking attack saying that a “true hero” wouldn’t use her military past as part of her campaign. According to Walsh, her time serving the country is “darn near” all she talks about. To make matters worse, Walsh later defended his statement saying he didn’t regret anything he said. How lovely.
Let us just say this: beyond being a consistent advocate for women’s health, Tammy Duckworth deserves respect for serving in our military and fighting for our country’s freedom. She lost both of her legs in the Iraq war, and returned to the United States to continue serving the country by working for the Department of Veterans Affairs. We’re truly thankful for those who have fought for freedom both home and abroad, and are looking forward to seeing what Duckworth can bring to Congress.
This week’s chump is Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who was named chair of the Republican National Platform Committee late Monday, the same day the mandatory ultrasound law he promoted in his state went into effect.
Governor McDonnell has a long record of undermining women’s health. As a state legislator, he sponsored or co-sponsored 35 pieces of legislation on women’s health including voting against legislation that could ensure women access to emergency contraception at the local pharmacy and voting against allowing public universities to distribute emergency contraception on campus.
As governor, his record is more of the same and includes rejecting funding for comprehensive sex education, barring women from purchasing health insurance that would cover abortion, introducing onerous regulations for abortion providers to limit women’s access to comprehensive health care, and of course, signing the controversial mandatory ultrasound bill into law.
According to Chair of the RNC, Reince Preibus, “The principles of our party and our vision for the country are contained in the platform. It is a document of immense importance and a testament to our dedication to individual liberty, economic freedom and limited government.” Ironic that they would nominate McDonnell whose claim to fame includes implementing a mandatory ultrasound law. Can’t quite say that’s a testament to individual liberty…
Remarking on his new position, McDonnell said, “This process is about more than writing; it is about listening. Voters deserve a party who listens to them.” Voters also deserve a leader that respects and supports a woman’s right to make decisions about her health, and the RNC’s decision to announce Governor McDonnell as the platform chair is a huge red flag for women.
