Posted: 06/26/08 07:59
by Dave Mindeman
Rep. Laura Brod apparently thinks of herself as the new righteous defender of women's dignity. After all, she is traveling all the way to Washington, DC to confront the Democratic Senatorial Congressional Committee and demand they withdraw their support of Al Franken -- the woman hater.
But, Laura, here is a hint. If you want to be taken seriously on this point, don't give the DSCC a complaint letter written on Minnesota GOP letterhead.....with the disclaimer at the bottom:
Prepared and Paid for by the Republican Party of Minnesota, Ron Carey, Chairman, www.gop.com.
By the way, Laura, did you pay your own way to Washington for this personal crusade?
The Star Tribune's "Big Question" was wondering why go to Washington, DC to deliver a letter?
Answer: Local GOP spokesperson Gina Countryman conceded that Brod could have delivered the same message without leaving town. But going to Washington, she said, helps ensure the letter "doesn't end up in the circular file of the DSCC."
Her concern for her own gender is laudable, however, that concern seems to be confined to "offensive jokes". Her voting record in the legislature shows other patterns:
In 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, she received a ZERO rating from NARAL - the National Abortion Rights League. Now, I realize that can be a personal decision, but I think we can assume that her support of women is limited to Anti-Choice women.
Rep. Brod received a ZERO rating from OutFront Minnesota from 2003 to 2006. So, I think we can also eliminate lesbian women from her concerns.
The Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota rated Rep. Brod with a 25% in 2003 and 2004; she got a 17 in 2005, and in 2007 she received a ZERO. She doesn't do so well speaking out for women with children either.
In 2007, she got a rating of 12 with AFL-CIO and a D+ rating with the SEIU. She seems to be lacking on support for working women, too.
On a more positive note -- she gets and A from the NRA. A 90% rating with the Chamber of Commerce, and a 91% rating with the Taxpayer's League.
So, Laura Brod is, more correctly, the defender of independently wealthy, anti-choice, gun toting women who don't like offensive jokes.
If you fit that description, then Laura Brod's your champion!
