via Feministing, there's a group out there that is asking us to draft women to run for office. Any office. She Should Run states:

Women’s Campaign Forum is an organization that's dedicated to ensuring pro-choice women become leaders in politics. As volunteers, donors, campaign professionals, and most importantly, candidates, we know women from all walks of life can change the face of this nation. To achieve that change, WCF proudly recruits women to become active participants in public life, trains women to be more effective political forces, and endorses talented women candidates for public office.

As the next step in our efforts, WCF has created the She Should Run campaign, a comprehensive effort to gather nominations of 1,000 pro-choice women who should run for public office.

As a kid I did dream of being the first woman President and even harbored ideas of running for office in the last decade, but I think I'll stand right where I am. Why?

Amy Gardner on West Wing said it pretty well, in I think "Constituency of One". She had this long rant after getting caught pushing too hard for VAWA funds using the First Lady and said something about not wanting to kneel to politics to get her issues out there.

I like being the activist. I like holding a position that pushes politicians to rethink their stance. I hate it when elected officials compromise when I feel that there is no compromise. Which is my biggest weakness, I can't see myself compromising when it comes to reproductive justice, equal marriage, and a whole list of other issues. Which I believe would make me not just a bad elected official, but also a horrible candidate.

Sure, I'd be entertaining like Kucinich in debates ranting about the need to zero our abstinence only funding NOW, but my base isn't one to fully support me, IMO. Look at how progressives balk at supporting Hillary. As much as she has supported women's rights in general, we have a litany of strikes against her including supporting "three strikes and you're out" laws. I've had a few people tell me that I'm the most radical person they know (I know kinda sad, eh?) but I'm not that radical.

But I am too radical for more moderates and sadly they are the votes that count because they vote. I know more progressives who don't vote because they can't stand to hold their nose and vote for the best candidate because they aren't perfect. Moderates are more apt, IMO, to vote for the best candidate.

So save your time and don't draft me, k? But do take a look around you and see if there is a good pro-choice woman in your community who would make an excellent city council member, state rep, or even US Senator. I already sent in my nomination. Someone who is just as radical as me, if not more, but has proven herself to be willing to play the political game. She's perfect.

Labels: feminism, politics