Jennifer Brunner Begins Series Of Women's Forums

Bill, the event was open to both men and women. There was no exclusion at all. The fact is, men just didn't show up.

"And now, my friend Jennifer, has decided to create an issue where there is none."

Does that mean you would've voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act?

Please understand, Jennifer is my friend, and I am proud to call her my Secretary of State.  She has brought a breath of fresh air to that stale office.   But I disagree with throwing that office to the wolves, and I definitely disagree with the politics of division which is implied by a "women's forum" or a "men's forum" or a "gay forum" or a "latino forum".  It is the politics of division.  We are all democrats, and we need to treat each other with respect if we expect the world to join us and support our causes.  Bill

Bill, your fundamental mistake is assuming that all Democrats have the same position on every issue and that they place the same emphasis on those issues that you do.  There is a difference between dividing people and recognizing that there are unique challenges that are presented to an individual, both personally and politically, by being born a female, a latino, or a homosexual.  By acknowledging these challenges and hoping to fix them, the goal is to create a society which is LESS divided and MORE fair.  While it might not be important to you that women make less money than men, or that homosexuals might face discrimination, or Latinos might encounter both discrimination AND pay equity, I assure you that it is very important to the people facing these challenges.

I can't believe you of all people called it nonsense.  I met you during the '06 campaign and had great respect for you.  You were one of the few along with Jennifer and Sherrod that I felt very strongly about as candidates.  

I applaud Jennifer Brunner's campaign on this.  She is talking about substantive issues rather than simply having stump speeches.  She is doing good even if she doesn't win.  I love the campaign that she is running.  And... let's get this straight she is absolutely NOT neglecting any of the issues that you mention.  Have you read her posts and e-mails?  She is focused on all of it while at the same time continuing her job of excellence as Ohio's Secretary of State.

It is not nonsense and it is absolutely not the politics of division.  It is absolutely the politics of inclusion.  The issues that Jennifer is addressing are issues that affect mostly women, child care, health care, elder care, etc.  We do want to talk about them.  We like to have our voices heard and we appreciate a forum that recognizes the difficulties that we face while trying to balance work and home.  This is important stuff to us.

I suspect you are an exception to the rule (you have the most impressive resume of any man I know) and not like most husbands that don't know when the next "well baby check up" is scheduled or what shots your kids need and if the Pediatrician can provide it or if you have to go to the health department.  If the babysitter is sick... what are you going to do?  Do you have enough sick/vacation time left to handle all of this from your job that you are not paid the same as your male counter part? 

You're probably also not like most brothers that are glad they have a sister to take care of aging parents or a sister to handle Thanksgiving or remember gifts and cards to Grandma or make food, watch kids or order flowers for sick or bereaved relatives.  This is the world I and most other women live in.  We take care of that "stuff".   

As a fellow Democrat, I am disappointed that a fellow Dem would belittle such a forum.  It is absolutely not the Dem platform, I am sure.  As I recall, the last local Democratic Women's club event had as the key note speaker... Peggy Fisher.. who applauded such an event.  I also know that ODP reps have said time and again, "when women vote, Democrats win".  And.. just for the record... Lee Fisher does have a strategy in his campaign that might make you unhappy... it is called "Women for Fisher" or "Women for Lee".  I know.  I was called by a recruiter.  I doubt he has a "Men for Fisher" button.

So, I am very sorry, but I respectfully disagree very strongly with your message.  I think you are wrong on this.  Not only in the Fisher vs. Brunner arena.. but also in the larger Democratic Party efforts arena.  

is thinking that we always need to be on Defense rather than Offense.  JBRU sees this and this is why she is running for Senate.   She is the best candidate for that job.  We need a true progressive in that seat.  The SOS is an important seat for sure - but it is an administrative one.  She did a fantastic job and will be an even more fantastic Senator once she is elected.  

If the Dem party cannot find a capable SOS candidate, that is not the fault of JBRU - that is the fault of the Dem party in Ohio.  We should not have to play Defense in that seat - we should always be on Offense.  We want to progress.  Not cower in fear that we will lose a race and sacrifice our best possible Senator because we are so damned scared of the apportionment board.  We have a good candidate for Auditor, a candidate for SOS...  why do you think we cannot win the apportionment board?  

I'm tired of the mealy mouthed, cower in fear, we gotta play Defense mindset of some on the left.  If you haven't noticed, Jen is a fighter - she isn't playing the game of cower and fear.  She is taking the Progressive message on the road and working to move our State and Country in the right direction.  If we can't win the apportionment board that is on the plate of Chris and Ted.  Not Jen.  She is doing exactly what she should for us.