Wonderful Warrior - GOP War on Women and Senator Murkowski

Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, is probably the most energized pundit on television.

She creates uplifting drama, even around the most mundane images - like the GOP use of the word "caterpillers", for example (as reported in comments by the Republican National Committee chair Reince Priebus). http://www.mediaite.com/tv/rachel-maddow-calls-on-gop-to-appoint-sen-murkowski-war-on-women-spokesperson/

Ms. Maddow was at her best during the April 11th broadcast, when she highlighted Alaska's woman Senator Lisa Murkowski, as a Republican hero in opposing the Grand Old Party's continued "war on women".  She said Murkowski has spoken out, on her own, against her party's oppressive statements about women, which impressed Maddow - and me too.

I find the brutal phrase "war on women" caustic and verbally offensive, which is why this is the first time I've blogged about the terminology.  Frankly, my naivete shows, when I say, the "war on women" is so unbelievable, I keep thinking it will simply go away with yesterday's rubbish.

Instead, as demonstrated in one GOP political debacle after another, the war keeps getting worse.

War on women is, obviously, a stupid, regressive GOP driven campaign. It came out of their own communications, now eroding confidence in the party's ability to support women's access to health care, contraception and, now, remarkably, to take away our right to equal pay under the Lilly Ledbetter Act of 2009, signed by President Barack Obama. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/romney-camp-stumbles-on-pay-equity-question/

With Rachel's passion as my fuel, and after listening to Senator Murkowski speak against her own party about these harmful attacks, I'm ready to adopt the language defining this debate.

I agree with Ms. Maddow, who affirms the effectiveness of Senator Murkowski, when she spoke in support of women and against her own party, on this issue.  In fact, as a Democrat, I'm even a little worried Romney will wake up and consider Murkowski as his Vice-Presidential running mate. This concerns me, politically speaking, especially given Murkowski's sincerity and passionate ability to connect with women about the mishandling of women's issues. She might improve Romney's poll numbers among women.

I don't suppose Romney would actually do something out of conviction. He could demonstrate unequivocal understanding of women's issues. Polls clearly indicate he needs to do something bold to win women, especially, when he didn't even mention the radio "bimgaugh", Limbaugh's comments, slandering a woman Georgetown law student, calling her a "slut", when she exercised her right to free speech about contraception.

Romney should join Murkowski's reprimand of her GOP colleagues. They should both push back on those in the GOP who are apparently entrenched in a frightening power struggle with right wing extremists, for control of their party's presidential aspirations.

Also, Romney should openly oppose Limbaugh's loud mouth's assaults on all his innocent victims, too many to count.

Senator Lisa Murkowski deserves to be a general in the GOP's push back on the harmful rhetoric against women. She is my choice to receive a 3W award for "wonderful woman warrior".

I worry about the possibility of a potential Romney presidency, especially if he has the ability to recall the Lilly Ledbetter Act.  Nevertheless, I would be relieved if Romney acknowledged the bravery of women political leaders in his own party, Murkowski and others - like Snowe, Collins, and Hutchinson, for example, who are openly appalled about this horrific "war on women".

If Romney wants to show how capable he is to lead America, he must support the causes close to the heart of half of our citizens who are female.  He could certainly make a good start by acknowledging the wonderful woman warrior he has in his own party - Senator Lisa Murkowski.