Blue America Chat: Patsy Keever NC-10 11 AM/PDT
by digby
Here’s an excerpt of Howie’s post at Down With Tyranny:
“Women all across North Carolina,” Patsy told us, “are disgusted with the Republican treatment of women. My campaign launched a petition drive protesting the GOP’s assault on women and collected over 850 petitions in a few days. I’m not just talking about Democratic women. Whether it’s the radical right-wing conservatives in Raleigh or in Washington, the women I’ve spoken to are ready to take action to confront this extremism. I faced this issue at the state level as well. GOP members in the State House proposed legislation curtailing women’s choice. Well I fought against this bill and worked to uphold Governor Perdue’s veto. I am angry, and needless to say, women across the state are angry too.”
And Patrick McHenry has been no champion on women’s issues– not on any of them. He votes against women on social issues and on economic issues. Patrick McHenry, as everyone who has followed his career knows, has a serious problem with women. And after Patsy wins her primary against a conservative Democrat on May 8, she’ll be up against McHenry– and in a district newly redrawn to be somewhat friendlier to Democrats and Independents and less friendly to right-wing extremists. Obama’s performance is 6% better under the new lines and, by party registration, there are now actually more Democrats in the district (39.3%) than Republicans (35.6%). But Patsy didn’t jump into this race because of Limbaugh or the GOP War Against Women. Her issues have more to do with education– she taught in the public schools for more than 25 years– and with an economic equality agenda.
As a mother, grandmother, public school teacher, community leader and elected official, I have spent more than 30 years working to make our community a great place for families and children to live. I have fought to create opportunities for meaningful employment, ensure that our children get a quality education, protect the quality of our air and water and achieve equality for all of our citizens. When I am elected to Congress, I will continue to do so.
Now I want to take these principles to Washington D.C., where a good dose of common sense and cooperation are direly needed. While understanding the need to tighten our belts, I will protect Social Security and Medicare, defend the natural beauty of our region and stand against extremism that hurts families. Every time I take a vote, I will ask myself, “Will this make our community a better place… for us, for our children and for our grandchildren?”
Patsy is a terrific progressive, beloved by her constituents and very experienced in North Carolina politics. She has a chance — with your help.
She’ll be joining us at CrooksandLiars at 2pm (ET), 11am on the West Coast for a live chat about her campaign and her issues. If you’d like to help this fiery grandmother, with a proven track record, replace Patrick McHenry– who also has a record– please consider a contribution at the Blue America ActBlue page.
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