If you're a New Yorker and have, or are, a mother, daughter, or sister, the U.S. Senate race needs your attention.
This because one of the candidates has a significant problem with the right of women, as determined by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade and simple common sense, to determine whether or not to carry even a life-threatening pregnancy to term.
Needless to say, the candidate in question is a tea partier (and lobbyist, but that's gravy), former Representative Joe DioGuardi. Murdoch rag The New York Post:
Joe DioGuardi, a committed conservative with a fine record in Congress, offers an alternative that voters will find attractive. He's hampered by limited name recognition, likely still in the mid 30s.
What the Post leaves out, presumably because they know they're a deal-breaker in blue New York, are DioGuardi's troglodyte views on abortion rights even in cases of rape and incest.
From NARAL Pro-Choice New York:
NARAL Pro-Choice New York said in a statement today that it is “extremely concerned” about U.S. Senate candidate Joseph DioGuardi’s stance on abortion.
“DioGuardi opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest,” said NARAL, which has been active in state and federal campaigns this year. “Not only is this view well outside the values of New Yorkers—75 percent of whom are pro-choice—it is far beyond the national mainstream.” [...]
According to NARAL, DioGuardi has said Roe v. Wade should be overturned, and when he served in the House of Representatives voted against federal funding for abortion even when a woman’s life is in danger.
“The women of this country do not need one more vote against abortion coverage; one more vote against comprehensive sex education; and one more vote for a Supreme Court justice who would overturn Roe v. Wade,” the group said.
DioGuardi - you may be familiar with him as the father of the recently booted American Idol judge Kara - has a few other positions that just make you want to bang your head against a wall; he'd like to see the Healthcare Act repealed, get rid of new Obama administration consumer protections, cut Social Security benefits, and so on and so forth straight out of the Beck/Palin playbook.
There are quite a few good reasons to vote for Kirsten Gillibrand; her tireless work to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, her advocacy for 9/11 first responders, her leadership in making Congress more transparent.
But you should know that there also very salient reasons to vote against her opponent.
On the web:
Kirsten Gillibrand for Senate
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