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PRESS RELEASE (UPDATED with video and actions): RNC Crosses Line in Pelosi “Pussy Galore” Video

May 25, 2009
by The New Agenda

25 May 2009 15 Comments

The New Agenda issued the following press release this morning:

PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2009
NewAgendaPress@yahoo.com

RNC Crosses Line in Pelosi “Pussy Galore” Video “What were they thinking?!”

The non-partisan organization for women – The New Agenda – called on Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele to fire the person responsible for producing a video comparing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the 1964 James Bond character Pussy Galore, or to resign himself.

“This is an appalling display of poor judgment and sexism,” said The New Agenda co-founder Amy Siskind. “A line has been crossed and it’s been noticed. The RNC should accept the consequences for such stupidity.”  Siskind added that attacks like the video are, in the end – politically unwise and counterproductive.

“Debating a woman political leader based on the issues is thoroughly appropriate. Attacking her based on her gender is a sign of desperation.  Our country has seen enough of this to know better. Women aren’t taking it anymore. Sexist attacks are a galvanizing force gathering more and more support for women. The New Agenda is a perfect example,” said Siskind.

The New Agenda believes that in order for conditions for women to change, women must take collective responsibility for supporting each other.  “Whether it be Speaker Pelosi, Gov. Sarah Palin or Carrie Prajean, we must defend women who face sexist attacks,” said Siskind. “We want to create more models for having women’s backs. This is a great example.”

The New Agenda applauded POLITICO for being the first media outlet to expose the video. “The fact that no one is claiming responsibility for the video is outrageous,” said Siskind. “We demand that the RNC demonstrate accountability for their actions.”

The New Agenda is a non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls by bringing about systemic change in the media, at the workplace, at school and at home.

——–

From our Action Alert today:

NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP!

1) Contact RNC Chairman Michael Steele
Phone: 202-863-8700
Fax: 202-863-8820
Email:Chairman@gop.com

2) Contact RNC Headquarters
310 First Street
Washington, D.C. 20003
Phone:  202.863.8500
Fax:  202.863.8820

And here is the RNC video:

15 Comments »

  • Flora (fsteele) said:

    Bravo!

  • Alessandro Machi said:

    Once again the Republcan Party shows their “age and their mindset”.

    Older Men in Suits who remember the good old days and desire a return to those days.

    http://www.Daily-Protest.com

    meanwhile millions of americans suffer at the hands of the credit card companies insane and anti american behavior.

    What a bunch of idiots.

  • Marena Groll said:

    I heard Carville denounce it as hideous. Is there any other voice of outrage in the Democratic Party. Has President Obama spoken to this in any way?

  • Amy Siskind said:

    Well IMO Carville is certainly not in a position to be speaking out on the subject of sexism after his Favreau rant! But yes, would be about time that a party stood up against blatant sexism!

  • morninmist said:

    I did not see Nancy running to help Hillary when she was attacked with sexist comments.

    And I do not see Democrats defending Sarah Palin when she is attacked with sexist comments (of course it is the self rightous Dems the sexist attacks)

    Sometimes karma is lovely.

  • Juliette said:

    I guess this was a really bad move for the republicans. I think it is sexist, but what I have witnessed from my own party this year has been something worse than sexism. It was misogyny.
    I am embarrased to call myself democrat or republican. Seem’s neither party is worthy of me.

  • Amy Siskind said:

    Agree Juliette – I don’t think we can count on any political party to speak out against sexism – instead they seem to use it as expedient. We need to count on ourselves, the women in this country, and stand in unity against this type of stuff.

    And I know many are not thrilled with having to have Nancy Pelosi’s back after she was MIA to defend Hillary or Sarah, but perhaps this can be a teachable moment for Pelosi. To see front row and center what it is to be attacked in an “out of bounds”, degrading way. Maybe now she will learn to appreciate what it is to have women supporting her – and maybe, just maybe next time she will do the same.

    But even if she doesn’t – we collectively cannot let a political party degrade a woman by comparing her to Pussy Galore – any woman….because if we do remain silent, it will continue and next time it will strike a women who has had women’s backs and so on.

  • Janis said:

    Once again the Republcan Party shows their “age and their mindset”

    And to judge from the number of asshole left-wing makes who were perfectly happy to subject Sarah Palin and Hillary to the same filthy, repugnant garbage — and reveal their own attitude that women are nothing better than men’s psychological toilets — it’s not just Republicans that are the problem anymore.

    We need to jettison old party definitions, RIGHT NOW. Womanhating is the ONLY thing both parties can agree on.

  • Kathy in CA said:

    I applaude TNA for standing up to sexism no matter who it is targeted to. I would like to comment, however, that TNA should demand apologies – not resignations. My reason is that demands for resignations seem to just go to deaf ears these days. Which means the issue gets dropped and nothing is said or done further. By asking the RNC to publically apologize to Nancy Pelosi and the American public – it brings front and center the sexism with regards to the “ad”. May keep the issue on the air waves longer – which only helps educate the public what sexism is and the damage it causes.

  • Suze said:

    Yes, demanding an apology seems like it might be more strategic.

  • Marena Groll said:

    Agreed that Carville was dead wrong on Favreau. I’m thinking part of standing up to both parties is pushing accountability -advocating that prominent spokepersons to use their voices.

    I’d take resignation as the only acceptable apology with something this over the top.

    I’m sure Pelosi didn’t rise for through the ranks without experiencing sexism but she is now experiencing it closer to the way the major candidates did. Life has tough lessons enough for all.

  • Janis said:

    Apologies are worthless in things like this. Action is what must be demanded in every single instance, or else we’ll rapidly get back some gutless little press piece that effectively translates to “I’m sorry you got angry when I called you fat.”

    Actions, period. Words are useless, and talk is cheap. Resignation or nothing.

  • Why we should EVEN have Nancy Pelosi’s back… : The New Agenda said:

    [...] 24 hours of The New Agenda issuing a press release and action alert about the RNC’s below the belt “Pussy Galore” video attacking Nancy Pelosi, the [...]

  • James Carville Defends RNC’s Video Comparing Pelosi to “Pussy Galore” : The New Agenda said:

    [...] Pelosi to the James Bond villain “Pussy Galore,” and railed against The New Agenda for protesting the video. Speaking on CNN’s Situation Room, Carville said: It’s a YouTube, stupid, that’s [...]

  • Sexism Against Conservative Women is Still Sexism! : The New Agenda said:

    [...] Leader Nancy Pelosi is compared to the James Bond villainess “Pussy Galore” in a RNC Video – is that acceptable? Even if we do not agree with Rep Pelosi on policy or think she has been a [...]

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