Steve Goldstein writes that
Santorum makes pitch to female voters: Some Pa. women at his D.C. conference were not so taken with his views on working women. In a sign of how eager Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) is to change his image among Pennsylvania's professional and working women, he played host today
to a "Professional Women's Conference on the Hill" and invited 3,000 community leaders, university officials, and other women from Pennsylvania. About 90 women attended. The daylong forum featured speakers such as Education Secretary Margaret Spellings; Lynne Cheney, a conservative commentator and wife of the vice president; and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R., Texas).
The conference was closed to the news media except for the 35 minutes during which Santorum spoke and answered questions on Iraq, health care, and medical-liability legislation.
Some women had copies of Santorum's book, but few of those interviewed had read it.
Published last year, It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good criticized working mothers and two-income families.
In His Book It Takes A Family: Santorum Say Many Woman Work Outside Home To Gratify Personal Desires Not For Their Children's Benefit
Santorum's book was widely criticized for a wide variety of stupid comments, including his denial that the we have a right to privacy. But his comments critical of the motives of working women are the theme of the day.
In it, Santorum wrote: "For some parents, the purported need to provide things for their children simply provides a convenient rationalization for pursuing a gratifying career outside the home. Many women... find it easier, more 'professionally' gratifying, and certainly more socially affirming, to work outside the home... . Here, we can thank the influence of radical feminism."
Donna Wright, a Republican township supervisor from Lower Milford, Lehigh County, said she was familiar with those comments and was displeased with them.
"Women are entitled to their choice, whether they become professionals or stay home," she said after the forum. "I don't appreciate anyone, public figure or not, telling anyone what they can and cannot do."
Loan officer Vicki Lightcap from Pennsburg, Montgomery County, also a Republican, acknowledged she did not see "eye to eye" with Santorum on this issue.
"We do have a future in politics, we have a future in our business professions, and it's up to us to become role models for our daughters - and our sons," she said.
Karen Woodings of Harrisburg, who works with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, said Santorum's view of working mothers "was not what we heard from the speakers today. So maybe it was an effort [by him] to reach out to professional women."
Santorum denied he held this conference to reach out to woman he may have alienated with his book and other insensitive and critical comments.
Santorum, who also held conferences for professional women in 1997 and 1998, denied the event was an attempt to reach out to women who may have been alienated by his book.
Professional woman in PA as well as throughout the country are tired of moralistic politicians criticizing those of us whom either have to or choose to work. Right wing politicians and arm chair moralists who dispense hurtful platitudes judging and demeaning others to exploit voter prejudice will need to do more than hold public relations events and give speeches with titles like "Professional Women's Conference on the Hill."
But who would have thought that Pennsylvania's professional working woman could read and might be offended by his stupid comments. And might even remember them come time to vote.
But hello! We're here Senator Santorum and we remember. And guess what? We have friends, children, brothers and sisters in the GLBT community and remember the demeaning and hurtful things you've said to them as well.
And we remember your stupid and disgraceful comments that hurt the innocent children abused by pedophile priest in Massachusetts. And also remember that you have never responded the Massachusetts Attorney General's demand for an apology to these children and their families.
I suppose we will soon see you hosting conference entitled "Respecting Our GLTB Family Members" and "Showing Sympathy And Respect To Abuse Victims And Their Families."
But, give us a break Senator. True respect and political allegiance is not something one wins at the last minute, once polls show you are 10% behind.
I hope other PA voters will join me on May 16, and vote for Chuck Pennacchio, a true progressive Democratic who does respect a woman's right to choose, the GLBT communities, other progressive causes and Senator Russ Feingold's Censure Motion against President Bush.