Bush Appointee To HHS Family-Planning Post, Susan Orr, Resigns

Does anyone know where else to get Pro-choice news? I can't get down with Naral anymore. Thanks in advance.

Funny,

I see Senator Clinton's name on that letter... you know, the one you didn't endorse. There seems to be a name conspicuously missing from the signatories...

Dave, nice catch. What sad irony. And of course her name is first on the list, maiden name and all.

Amy,

Planned Parenthood does a pretty good job (actually better than NARAL). you can go here for news:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/newsroom/in-the-news-6573.htm

Thank you so much.

Looks like Obama was too busy that day to sign a letter for us women. After all, that was the day that the "Obama Girl" was being interviewed by Bill Wier and Barack was also doing the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Thank goodness Hillary wasn't to busy to sign!

NARAL....you are an embarrassment to what you pretend to stand for. You threw Hillary under the bus, and we will repay you in full.

How much money did you get for your endorsement. I suppose your endorsement was for the good of women, right.

So did Obama out and out BUY your endorsement or was he visiting one of the other 57 states the day the letter was signed?
Have you looked at this mans past? Do you even have a clue as to what he is REALLY all about?
The Republicans have so many truths about him that will end his political career and people and groups like you just keep making it easy for the Republicans to get back in Office. Obama is a seriously flawed candidate. Wake up people.

I just got an arrogant email from Nancy Keenan, in response to my protest about NARAL's untimely and insulting endorsement of Obama.

Full of smarmy justification, the gist is that Nancy decided. By herself. And could not wait another day. And she hopes that I will join them in the fall, and support Obama.

Apparently the poor woman is deaf.

And dumb.

Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are Senators from my state, I even see Barbara Boxer on there with Christopher Dodd....no Obama though. I wonder why? He himself said he didn't want either of his daughters "punished" with a baby.

I see Hillary Clinton's name on the letter, yet no Barack Obama.....yet you endorsed him for President?

I see he is really 'standing up for women's rights' like you said he did when he got your endorsement. What a great man, doing just as he promised.

No Barack Obama shows his views on women's rights.

Hillary Clinton has stood up for these rights her entire life.

And, therefore this is just another reason in which I cannot support your organization, or give any more donations, and never will again.

Enough about Hillary and Obama already! This is supposed to be about Bush and his piss-poor nominations for important positions. We're supposed to be fighting this slimy, corrupt administration, not each other!

Obama won't win. The Republicans have too much on him.

Wow- glad you won't be needing any donations since you were "bought" by Obama-hmmm-really sad sad day for women when you decide to support the candidate that won't sign the letter going against the Bush administration. Things to look forward to?-more lies just different party.
Thanks NARAL!

LJane, how could i forget obama girl.

http://multislacking.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/obamagirlagainstthewall.jpg

Does everyone know that obama girl was an actress paid to do that and that the obama girl video was actually put together by the campaign. Ahhh, Obama is SUCH a feminist. Thank goodness for men running for president willing to pay women to lip sync and jiggle their boobs and a-- in next to nothing. Yay obama!!

anne, I would appreciate very much if you could give us some concrete evidence, from a reliable and neutral source, (meaning not an anti-Obama or pro-Clinton source) that "Obama girl" was paid by the campaign.

My understanding was that he was pissed that she had done this and that he had no part of it--at all.

BTW, did you know that she also did a video with Mike Gravel? Again, pls. provide us with evidence, if you can't then kindly stop telling tales.

Heather

Obama girl said it herself on CNN about 3 months ago. know what you're talking about before you accuse people of telling tales.

2 of his volunteers from Temple university made the video. So they weren't actually paid from the campaign. They were paid by his volunteers.

anne, please check out the links below, both of which state that the Obama campaign stated that the campaign had nothing to do with the video, the makers of the video confirm this. The creators of the video stated that they paid for it and sold t-shirts, etc. to make money.

Obama also stated that the video upset his daughters and that he wished that people would think about things like that before making this sort of thing.

So, I do know what I am talking about and I still state that saying that Obama had anything to do with the making of this video at all is a tall tale--and a malicious one at that.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3275802&page=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Got_a_Crush_on_Obama

The list of letter signers hardly includes every pro-choice senator. True, Obama didn't sign. Diane Feinstein didn't sign either, does that mean she's not really pro-choice? I don't see Debbie Stabenow, so that must mean that she doesn't care about women's issues.

Seriously, people, get a grip!

Karen, why don't you get a grip yourself? This was an ill conceived, ill thought out endorsement. Absolutely no purpose other than to alienate a large base of the democratic party. condescending posts like yours do absolutely nothing...

Ok, I appologize for the "get a grip" part.

But my point still stands. You, and others, are saying or implying that because Obama didn't sign the letter, he doesn't have time for women's issues or doesn't stand up for women's rights. By that logic, all 81 senators who didn't sign the letter also don't have time for or stand up for women's issues. Two of the other senators who didn't sign are Feinstein and Stabenow. They're both women and have excellent records on women's issues. Threfore, that Obama didn't sign the letter doesn't really seem to be a reliable indicator of how he feels about women't issues. If it were, you would also have to question the commitment of Feinstein, Stabenow, and all the other pro-choice senators who didn't sign.

Has anyone considered the possibility that Senator Clinton decided to do this and some intern was told to get the signatures of all the pro-choice Senators that he or she could find and that is why there are so few signatures on the letter? There is no great conspiracy that Obama decided to be absent that day because he is wishy-washy on women's rights, or because he just didn't care enough to show up. I doubt "signing the letter" was on anyone's agenda for that day, it was proably a random happening and whoever happened to be there signed it.

Perhaps the bigger question is why some (and I emphasize SOME because I do not believe the majority of Clinton supporters do this) want to believe the very worst about Obama and take every opportunity to think the worst of him and speak about it?

In my opinion Senator Clinton's record on women's issues in America stands on its own, she has been steady and strong on issues that affect women in America. She does not need anyone to tear down her opponent in order to lift her up. You make a better case for your candidate when you speak about her record, rather than smearing Senator Obama with nothing more than opinions and misinformation.

If people want to have debates about concrete issues based on facts and evidence that is great, but the smears and innuendo based on snipets of information that have been pasted together to create the picture you want do not make a case against Obama and, more importantly for Clinton supporters, they do not make a case FOR her.

I love how the Obama-bashers show up in every post announcing that they are going to go elsewhere for their pro-choice news. Go already!

If all you can do is encourage division and acrimony and a loss in November (which would be a loss for women's rights) then what good are you doing for the pro-choice cause?

I'm going to write it out in capital letters for everyone to see: HILLARY IS NOT GOING TO WIN THE NOMINATION. Obama is going to be the nominee. That's why NARAL endorsed Obama. He has the majority of pledged delegates, he has more superdelegates than Clinton, he's won more states than Clinton, and CLINTON DOES NOT HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULAR VOTE. Florida and Michigan CANNOT COUNT. The vote totals are inaccurate.

Are you guys so unhappy with Obama on the verge of winning that you're going to vote for McCain? Come on! The damage he will do to this country will last for a generation, if not more!

Even if America will not be able to see its first female president, our country does have the chance to elect our first black president. And you guys can be a part of it! Come on, doesn't that sound so much better than McBush?

I love your post, keri. That's exactly what shouldn't be happening right now. We shouldn't be protesting the nomination for president. It will result in needless division. Both candidates are infinitely better than McCain and deserve our support. I'm willing to vote for either candidate, despite all my problems with Clinton, because it means McCain won't be president.

Yeah, I heard about that. Truly a last gasp effort. She doesn't care what hurtful things she says, it's just politics to her. And don't call her a bitch; there's no need for you to lower yourself to her level.

She has made reference to RFK's assassination in relation to "you never know what could happen in June" 4 times now. The first time she said "assassination," the next two she referenced his death but did not say the word, this time she said the "a" word again.

I think Obama and his family deserve an apology.

And what does the RFK comment have to do with women's issues or choice at all? heather? or are you just trying to demonize hillary some more. Heather, check in with RFK jr. and see what he has to say about the comment. Your God Obama is lying to you. he is pushing a story he knows is not true.

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/5/23/213914/479

I have READ AND READ AND READ for days now and NOT said a word!

I HAVE HAD ENOUGH from the women that have said hurtful things about Hillary Clinton and the women that support her.

I am watching Iron Jawed Angels right now. I suggest that EVERY WOMAN do the same! It is so funny how much history REALLY does repeat itself and how women continue to be our own worse enemies!

It does not matter if this is Elizabeth Dole running or Kay Bailey Hutchinson or Hillary Clinton. GET A CLUE all of your women that claim to be feminists!

And, give the woman (Hillary Clinton) some credit for fighting the fight for ALL OF US. She is human. She gets tired. She makes mistakes. She is not perfect.

But, all of YOU - that sit on the sidelines and do nothing more than BITCH - SHAME ON YOU!

And, for the men on here that have nothing better to do than make their ugly remarks. You do NOT have a dog in this fight!

The wisest writing and the most heart-felt writing that I have seen on here was written by an elderly lady that is with a women's group that she was writing on behalf of. Her name is Gladys Perkins and I have copied her writing below.

I read that writing to my own mother this morning that does not use the internet either. We cried together.

PLEASE read the following and give respect to our elderly women that have been so shook up by all of this because they have worked so hard, prayed so faithfully, and put so much on the line from a very early age so that we women could have more rights.

I fully expect to see something written by HEATHER and a couple of others including LEO that seem to not have anything better to do. But, I ask the rest of you that can be objective to PLEASE have an open-heart and sharpen your mind as to what this all REALLY means for our country – NOT JUST FOR WOMEN – to continue to have men run every aspect of our lives. And, when politics is ruled by men – then everything is ruled by men. I love my father and my brothers and my grandsons and want EQUAL rights for them as much as I do for all races and everyone. This is what strong women in office will be sure to do.

STAND STRONG – WOMEN or at the very least – quit being our own worst enemy!

I am copying what Gladys Perkins wrote yesterday. Gladys – I love you and your group and I for one want to thank all of you for your heart and soul!

By Gladys Perkins on May 23, 2008 9:56 AM
Dear Ms. Keenan & NARAL,

There are a lot of angry people here. I am here on behalf a group of mature women who can't use a computer. It's unfathomable to us how an organization based on a woman's right to choose could deal such a selfish blow to a woman who has spent her entire life standing up for women.
We cannot understand this - nor will we ever.
I was going to go into detail and lay out our arguments, but it's perfectly clear that your decision was made unilaterally and no defense of it will be forthcoming.

What defense is there?

We find your silence indicative of someone who knows they did the wrong thing and chose to put personal notoriety ahead of the greater good -- someone who doesn't have the moral fiber to stand up and admit to it. What one doesn't say is more telling than what one does.

In the end it is always a woman who has to take down a woman. Men can't do it alone. Senator Clinton has been impervious to men's childish envy and discontent. You haven't destroyed Senator Clinton, externally, but on the inside this has to have hurt her in ways we cannot articulate. Twenty years of the media tormenting her and you did more than any misogynist could do: You her hurt her feminine soul. We cry over this every meeting. We sit and cry and wonder what our struggles were for and for whom.

Our group is fifty-five women strong--not all able-bodied or clear of mind--but none of us will be voting for Mr Obama. We will be writing Senator Clinton in on the ballot. With pride.
Senator Clinton is the champion of and for our generation. Our hopes and dreams rest in her heart. She has done what we did not have the strength or fortitude to do. She has outlasted many men and has gotten further than any woman has before only to be disregarded and cast aside by a supposed woman's advocacy committee.

Senator Clinton is an amazing woman whose worth will not be acknowledged until we are long gone. We want her to know that we love her and appreciate her years of struggle. She represents how one woman can change the world and you represent how one woman can destroy it.

Those of you who write those despicable comments about a woman whose shoes you have not walked in and could never fill need to look at Miss Chelsea Clinton. Watch how she comports herself and you will know what a loving woman and mother Senator Clinton is. Watch the love that passes between them when they look at each other and imagine how Chelsea views your sacred betrayal of her mother. Ask yourself how Chelsea will explain this to Senator Clinton's granddaughter.
You have undone a lifetime of struggle with a selfish decision that no woman of class would have ever thought of - let alone carried out.

You are not of the younger generation, Ms Keenan, which makes your betrayal even more loathsome.

In closing, we would like an apology and we would like to hear the answers to the posed questions in this area. Thank you for listening and for providing a forum in which to be heard.

May God have Mercy on your soul.
Gladys Perkins for The Women of Wisdom

"We cannot understand this - nor will we ever."

You will never understand that gender isn't everything when it comes to endorsing a candidate.

Never mind that Clinton is a corporate shill who supports NAFTA.
Never mind that Clinton has used a picture of Osama Bin Laden in an anti-Obama ad.
Never mind her 3 AM phone call ad.
Never mind that she praised Senator McCain for his experience.
Never mind that she voted to start this stupid, self-defeating war.

Because she's a woman, none of that matters, and she deserves NARAL's support more than Obama.

Yeah, you probably will never understand.

Gladys,

Come meet us in DC may 31st. we're going to rally the DNC to count the votes of the 2.3million people who voted in MI and FL. (and yes obama fans, we know they agreed not count them). But many of us believe that given the closeness of this race, and the historical election, that since the primaries were actually held and the votes counted, and that dean agree that they COULD count, that they should be counted toward the election.

www.floridademandsrepresentation.org

To Heather - YOU DO NOT EVEN LIVE IN or VOTE IN America and you have been writing several times a day trying to tell us what is wrong with Hillary Clinton? Amazing! So, basically - everything you know about her is, as you say, "based on fact" is ONLY from the media and internet?? That is reliable and always accurate and true.

I KNOW Hillary Clinton personally. There are some facts that one can't obtain from JUST traditional media and BLOGS. Believe me!

I think it is WONDERFUL to have open-dialogue especially with sisters from all corners of the world. But, for God's sake, Heather - give me a break. I thought the way you have been writing that you had worked directly with Hillary or Obama and NARAL and was very active in OUR electoral process.

Please don't speak with authority about things that you really know nothing of. Your opinion is VERY welcomed - by me anyway - but, your bashing of an American female leader - well, it has been very forceful and very upsetting.

Hillary is a GREAT woman. Not perfect - but, has the best interest of us all in the forefront of our life's journey. She is genuine and she is passionate about knowing what she is capable of producing for us in America as well as all over the world.

Again, I know her personally, Heather and speak from first-hand, up close experience. As passionate as you feel about women and children and family issues - if given the opportunity to meet her in-person and know her heart - I have no doubt you would change your view about her.

Okay, I promised myself I wouldn't do this but for God's sake, "To Heather," I am American living overseas. I live overseas because we are a State Dept. family. So, are you honestly telling me that, because we now live overseas, even though we are American, I cannot be involved in the political process?

When we lived in the US I was very active in grassroots organizations, including our local chapter of NOW. I don't believe that I should give up my rights as an American citizen, or give up being involved in our political process, because we live overseas.

I have children who are American, a husband who works for the US State Department and decided to do so because he saw it as the way he could serve our country.

You don't give up your rights as an American when you get moved all over the world by our gov't. But you do get a greater world view, which is a gift.

And I have not bashed, once, Hillary Clinton. Again, I challenge anyone to find something in my posts where I "bashed" her. I have said that she is tremendous, and I mean it, but I do not support her candidacy.

On a personal note, I hope my children, because they are growing up overseas, never have to encounter the belief that they are not quite American enough, or that their views count less. Shame on anyone who thinks this.

ONE EXAMPLE

By Heather on May 24, 2008 3:14 PM
"She has made reference to RFK's assassination in relation to "you never know what could happen in June" 4 times now. The first time she said "assassination," the next two she referenced his death but did not say the word, this time she said the "a" word again.

I think Obama and his family deserve an apology."

You make remarks that flame the fire, Heather and this MY example to you.

Not to push you away but to let you know that your arrogant and condensending remarks just make me want to defend myself and my beliefs. You seem to talk down to any of us that are older than you and more experienced with life.

Since we are talking facts - I HONESTLY ask you - what has Obama done that demonstrates to you that he is the best for women's issues? And, I am asking for WHAT HE HAS DONE - actions - not words or political promises.

Thank you.

You know what, ONE EXAMPLE and To Heather? I may not be able to find enough examples to convince you that Obama is the best for women's issues, but there is no way that Hillary is right spokesman for Democrats. She was taking advice from disgraced wierdos like Mark Penn and James Carville. She praises John McCain for his experience. She uses right wing tatics to smear her opponent. Does that sound like a good Democrat to you? Does that even sound like the right candidate to take on McCain?

I DO live and vote in America. Maybe I don't know what's in Hillary's heart the way you do, but I know how she campaigns. And what she is doing right now is not good for the party. Because Hillary and her supporters keep saying "It's not over", donors have to wait until Obama has officially clinched the nomination. McCain has gotten a huge head start over us in the general campaign because Hillary won't admit defeat. And she should. Obama has clinched a majority in pledged delegates. This is a good enough argument for the superdelegates to push him past the finish line.

I'm sure Hillary has said the biggest priority is to make sure a Democrat wins the White House. But she doesn't mean it. Otherwise, she would have respected the will of the majority of voters and conceded once Obama won the majority of pledged delegates. But she won't. Why? Because her biggest priority isn't to make sure a Democrat wins the White House. It isn't to count Florida or Michigan. Her biggest priority is her.

That is truly all she cares about. Winning. She dosn't care how she does it. She doesn't care how much mud she throws, or how many rules she bends. And that is why she could never and should never be the nominee.

I thought you said, RonPaul is overrated,
that you did not know what was in Hillary's heart.

It is just so evident by your many writings thorughout this blog that you HATE HILLARY.

You cannot give ONE GOOD REASON why to support Obama other than YOU HATE HILLARY.

Well, the Party has NOT been hurt by bringing in millions of voters. John McCain is NOT getting ahead because of Hillary. Are you kidding me by saying that just because Obama has not clinched the number needed to be the nominee THAT THE WOMAN CANDIDATE is the one that should through in the towel and give it to him.

Ron Paul is overrated - what is wrong with your thinking? I don't think you are thinking you are so clouded by your HATE FOR HILLARY.

You don't make any sense other than to shine a light on yourself so bright that we can see you have sexism written ALL OVER YOU!

No - Ron Paul is overrated - Hillary should NOT be the ONE to get out of the race when the nominee number is not met yet and precious voters voices are not being heard in FL & MI yet.

How this is even democratic or fair to anyone, let alone a female candidate running for office day-in and day-out TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVE - including YOURS Ron Paul is overrated - is beyond my wildest imagination??!!

I have sexism written all over me? I hate Hillary? Yes, that is the most natural and predictable response I could expect from you. You could never comprehend that there could be any reason why Obama should win instead of Hillary other than the idea that all Obama supporters don't want a woman president.

You know, I could argue that the entire Clinton campaign is racist, along with all her supporters. After all, it's just legions of people trying to prevent a black person from becoming president. See what I mean?

Pretty silly argument, huh? Well, that's what you're sounding like right now. You need to stop being so close-minded and consider the possibility that there are other reasons why nominating Hillary for president is a bad idea.

WHAT HAS OBAMA DONE! You even said yourself in one of your post "I may not be able to find enough examples to convince you that Obama is the best for women's issues, but there is no way that Hillary is right spokesman for Democrats."

LAST WORD TO YOU as you are all talk "hate talk at that" and NO SUBSTANCE.

What you just said proves my point. Whenever you read my comments, the only way you ever respond is by saying "you hate Hillary" and so forth. Where's the substance in that? It never crosses your mind that I oppose the nomination of Hillary for the Democratic candidate because maybe, just maybe she may not be the perfect candidate you say she is.

Do you think I appreciate when you call me sexist? Do you think anyone is amused by that? No. Stop it. You're not making your arguments sound any more convincing. You're just pissing people off, and you're trying to start a fight.

Speak for YOURSELF and don't pretend to be speaking for others.

You are the ONE that has said horrible things about Hillary. Those of us that support Hillary do NOT say horrible things about Obama.

We point out why she has EVERY RIGHT to continue her race and do it with the reasoning that she is the best for the job - NOT by tearing down Obama or his supporters.

But, WE DO STAND up for ourselves and we stand up against sexism and it has run rampant.

YOU REFUSE to have an intelligent converstation and point out FACT of what Obama has done to deserve this nomination.

You are pissed off? Well, maybe because you can't make your case. I am not trying to start a fight AT ALL. Just standing up for what is right. Your own guilt and bad feelings in this debate you have to own.

But, like I am not wanting to start a fight - I don't want to continue to have a conversation with someone like you as YOU ARE NOT AMUSING, entertaining, or informative.

From 2005-2007, in a nutshell, Senator Obama has:

- sponsored or co-sponsored 570 bills in the 109th and 110th Congress.
- sponsored or co-sponsored 15 bills that have become LAW since he joined the Senate in 2005.
- introduced amendments to 50 bills, of which 16 were adopted by the Senate.

Props to Helenann of Daily KOS for the research and the effort.

That is objective.

It is an opinion piece, the purpose of which is not "objective" journalism but to provide, well, opinion and perspective.

I have one question...in particular to those who keep pointing out the votes in Florida and Michigan need to be counted....

Why isn't Clinton counting the votes from the Caucuses? Her argument about the popular vote doesn't count any of the votes from the Caucus states.

Why aren't people getting up in arms about the disinfranchisement of the voters in those states?

If I am wrong about her claim to the numbers, please let me know and I will drop my question.

The vote totals in Michigan and Florida aren't even accurate, because Obama's, Edwards', and Richardson's names weren't on the MI ballot. And they didn't campaign in Michigan and Florida, because they respected the instructions put forth by the DNC. But that didn't stop Hillary. And now she demands that they were fair vote totals and that they should be counted. That's not going to happen.

RonPaulisOverrated,

How much is the Obama campaign paying you to keep downing Hillary Clinton on this website. And what are your credentials? How much work have you been doing since the 1970's like so many of us to defend choice; develop child care opportunities for working parents from almost non-existent to the current state of availability; support candidates who sponsored expanded medical benefits for cancer survivors who lost their breasts; push the glass ceiling both in the private and public realm; support women candidates who can cast light on women's issues; and the list goes on and on. For years medical research results from studies on men were extrapolated to be the same for women. We have since found that women and men have different symptoms for diseases such as heart disease. Do you think that would have ever come to light if women like Hillary Clinton and many of us writing on this website had not spent years advocating for a place at the table for women. How many women researchers, scientists do you think there would be today if it were not for organizations like the American Association of University Women whose gender equality studies were ground breaking? When I was young, how many sports do you think women played compared to men? Thanks to AAUW and others, young women have access to much more. Stop putting down Hillary Clinton supporters who have spent years working on equality issues that have benefited both men and women. We are strong and we will not vote for your arrogant Obama as long as the degrading sexism continues both in the press and by Obama supporters like you.

I see no one has countered my comment on Clinton's "Fuzzy math". I figured as much.