Here we go again. Why do we Democrats seem determined to shoot ourselves in the foot? There is an outstanding Democrat who has already announced his candidacy for the 8th district Congressional seat—Patrick J. Murphy, a decorated Iraq veteran and former professor of constitutional law at West Point, who has assembled a talented staff, set up two offices, and attracted great interest from many in the district eager to support a candidate with and integrity, passion, and a proven commitment to public service. I am a former professor of English and women’s studies who has been working on Democratic campaigns since 1964, and I have never been more inspired by a candidate. (Check out his website at www.murphy06.com.) Why wouldn’t the party celebrate the emergence of such a viable candidate and rally to his support? No wonder Republicans are winning elections they have no business winning on the issues—unlike Democrats, they don’t waste time fighting each other.
Well, well, well. So Ginny Schrader has decided to try again to win a competition with Mike Fitzpatrick for the right to represent Pennsylvania’s 8th district in the US Congress. And Robin Wiessman is purportedly waiting in the wings. What’s a good feminist to do? Well, this card-carrying feminist has chosen to support Patrick Murphy, because feminism is a political philosophy and not a distribution of hormones. As a former professor of constitutional law at West Point, Patrick is absolutely committed to defending constitutional rights that are vital to women’s wellbeing—such as the right to choose. This plus his equally strong commitment to other so-called women’s issues—a clean environment, affordable health care, adequate funding for our schools, and secure jobs that enable us to support our families—are reason enough for this feminist to choose Patrick over his female competitors, who have so far offered no reason for me to support them other than their gender.