A friend of mine dared me to go see Gloria Steinem stump for Hillary here in Austin on Saturday. I say "dare" because apparently I have been "talking smack about Hillary" and this friend was convinced Ms. Steinem would change my mind.
I consider myself a lifelong feminist. I am often described as a feminist by others. The only thing I changed my mind about yesterday was Gloria (details below the fold).
This morning clinched it, when I heard what Karl Rove had to say and he echoed what Gloria said just the day before.
First of all, it was a little surreal to find myself in a bar at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon to hear Gloria Steinem speak to a crowd of less than a hundred people (and it was a FREE event). I live in the liberal stronghold of Texas, a university town, and turnout was eerily low.
They started the event with a new Hillary ad titled "This One's For Ann" using the image of our beloved and deceased former Governor, Ann Richards. Poignant, in a necropheliac-esque, let's put words in a dead woman's mouth to get your vote, kind of way, many were inspired to tears. Anyone who knew Ann Richards will assure you: you could not ever put words in her mouth and she never ONCE played the gender card to win. I guess the only way they could force her endorsement was to wait until she died to do it.
Then, among other things, Gloria said
"We must not be afraid of an open convention. The boys expect Hillary to play her gender role, pack up her toys, and leave the playground. We should fight this every step of the way to the convention.
I think she just called Al Gore, John Edwards, and Bill Richardson "girls". And I thought Huckabee was delusional. At least he can blame god for the way he thinks.
So, this morning, before I was fully caffeinated I heard Karl Rove echo Gloria's sentiment and agree with her. He thinks/ hopes/ hisses like a snake that Hillary should fight for the nomination as hard as she can until the last minute. Weird, because he has been openly encouraging Huckabee to give up "for party unity".
"I think it’s a mistake for his campaign to be calling for her to drop out," Mr. Rove on Fox 3/2/2008.
Now I know Karl Rove and I am pretty sure he does not have the best interests of my party in mind. I am fairly confident that he wants the Democrats to fail in November (if not constantly and sooner).
This has made me ask a lot of questions: So what does Gloria want if they have the same goal? Who's best interest does she have in mind? Has she been drinking kool-aid in Kerrville with Karl? Is this 1984?
It's ok, I caught 60 Minutes tonight and at least Hillary has the good sense to know better. At least I think I heard her say she would never need to give up since she is sure to get the nomination. Reality based logic always makes me feel better. Now where did I set that kool-aid?