It’s Not Just the Rhetoric, But the Policies that Insult Women

They just can’t help themselves.

Two days ago, the communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) criticized Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate (and current Secretary of State) Alison Lundergan Grimes, calling her an “empty dress.”

This type of rhetoric is sad but has been all too common in the last few years. This is just another example of how out of touch the Republican Party leadership is when it comes to women’s issues (as if Todd Akin weren’t enough…).  The real story, however, is GOP policies that go along with this rhetoric.  GOP leadership does just demean and dismiss women, they promote policies that are dangerous to our health and well-being. 

In fact, Grimes’ opponent, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has regularly supported legislation designed to restrict woman’s rights.  McConnell even voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act — a critical law that has had a tremendous impact on reducing the national rate of intimate partner violence.

And if you thought this baseless comment was a rare occurrence, think again. Earlier this year, Texas gubernatorial candidate (and current state attorney general), Greg Abbott, thanked a supporter who called State Senator Wendy Davis a “retard Barbie.” Only after public outcry did he issue a statement distancing himself from the offensive comments.

 

If these examples demonstrate anything, it’s that anti-women’s health politicians simply don’t get it. Their rhetoric merely reflects their records — and their records show they don’t stand with women’s health and rights. 

Tags: Wendy Davis, Greg Abbott, Kentucky, Mitch McConnell, Alison Grimes