Thursday, September 30, 2010

Go Green or Go Home Carly!

By Mehrin Rahman and Emmy Bengtson

Actually, just go home...

The environment was definitely a hot topic of yesterday’s debate between Fiorina and Senator Boxer.

Fiorina accused Senator Boxer of being “beholden” to “extreme environmental groups”. Of course when asked to give examples of the groups she accused Senator Boxer of supporting, Fiorina stuttered, made excuses, and tried to do what she does best: change the subject when it really matters.

Really, Carly? Well-respected groups like the Sierra Club, the California League of Conservation Voters, and Ocean Champions are the epitome of environmental extremism?

“It is shocking to me to see someone try to get to the United States Senate who would turn their back on the environment,” exclaimed Senator Boxer. And rightly so. While Boxer has won the support of prominent environmental groups, Fiorina was included in the League of Conservation Voters’ “Dirty Dozen”--a list of the most dangerous candidates to our environment. California has long prided itself on environmental awareness and conservation; do we really want one of the twelve worst candidates in the country working for us?

Fiorina also wants to hand over the California coast to big oil and expand off-shore drilling. Carly, need we remind you about BP and the Gulf Oil disaster?

And what about the 400,000+ jobs that would be put on the chopping block if our coast is destroyed? For someone who claims to be so job-focused (remember, other “trivial” issues like a woman’s right to choose aren’t even on her radar) this is a disconcerting position to take.

What’s more is that Fiorina favors Prop 23, which, if passed, would be a disaster for the California environment. Prop 23 puts an end to limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Talk about extremism!

To top it all off, Fiorina says she doubts whether climate change is real.

The Sierra Club Chairman himself says: “While Senator Boxer is a proven leader in creating new clean energy jobs and protecting our environment, Carly Fiorina would take us backward. Fiorina’s skepticism about global warming and her support for new offshore oil drilling off our coast show just how out of touch she is with California voters.” Out of touch with the earth, and out of touch with California.

Vote for the environment. Vote Boxer.

Go Green or Go Home Carly!

By Mehrin Rahman and Emmy Bengtson

Actually, just go home...

The environment was definitely a hot topic of yesterday’s debate between Fiorina and Senator Boxer.

Fiorina accused Senator Boxer of being “beholden” to “extreme environmental groups”. Of course when asked to give examples of the groups she accused Senator Boxer of supporting, Fiorina stuttered, made excuses, and tried to do what she does best: change the subject when it really matters.

Really, Carly? Well-respected groups like the Sierra Club, the California League of Conservation Voters, and Ocean Champions are the epitome of environmental extremism?

“It is shocking to me to see someone try to get to the United States Senate who would turn their back on the environment,” exclaimed Senator Boxer. And rightly so. While Boxer has won the support of prominent environmental groups, Fiorina was included in the League of Conservation Voters’ “Dirty Dozen”--a list of the most dangerous candidates to our environment. California has long prided itself on environmental awareness and conservation; do we really want one of the twelve worst candidates in the country working for us?

Fiorina also wants to hand over the California coast to big oil and expand off-shore drilling. Carly, need we remind you about BP and the Gulf Oil disaster?

And what about the 400,000+ jobs that would be put on the chopping block if our coast is destroyed? For someone who claims to be so job-focused (remember, other “trivial” issues like a woman’s right to choose aren’t even on her radar) this is a disconcerting position to take.

What’s more is that Fiorina favors Prop 23, which, if passed, would be a disaster for the California environment. Prop 23 puts an end to limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Talk about extremism!

To top it all off, Fiorina says she doubts whether climate change is real.

The Sierra Club Chairman himself says: “While Senator Boxer is a proven leader in creating new clean energy jobs and protecting our environment, Carly Fiorina would take us backward. Fiorina’s skepticism about global warming and her support for new offshore oil drilling off our coast show just how out of touch she is with California voters.” Out of touch with the earth, and out of touch with California.

Vote for the environment. Vote Boxer.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

And the winner is... Barbara Boxer!

By Emmy Bengtson and Mehrin Rahman

Boxer wins!! Certainly in this debate and hopefully come November 2.

In their second meeting to discuss prominent issues of the upcoming election, Boxer and Fiorina answered questions on health care, abortion, immigration, the environment, and the economy.

Debate moderators Patt Morrison of the L.A. Times and KPCC and Gabriel Lerner of La Opinion pressed the issues to both candidates. Senator Boxer spoke with clarity on her opinions and in her rebuttals. Not surprisingly, Fiorina’s predominant debate strategy was to sidestep questions and avoid expressing her own ideas, instead attacking Senator Boxer.

We pro-choice supporters of Boxer were especially interested in hearing Fiorina’s explanation of her previous statement that she “absolutely would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade if given the opportunity." In an attempt to change the subject--she obviously knows only a tiny percentage of Californians agree with her--Fiorina not only refused to explain her previous statement on abortion (besides saying that she “happen[s] to be pro-life”), but actually dismissed the topic of abortion in general. Fiorina accused Boxer of using reproductive rights to distract voters from what she sees as more pressing issues--namely the economy and employment. “The subject of this election is not abortion,” Fiorina said.

Really, Carly? Evidently you’re not attuned to all the voters--especially women--who see abortion as a make or break issue.

In a recent poll conducted by EMILY's List, 61% of women responders said they’d be more likely to vote if they knew they could “defeat a candidate who does not trust women to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.” Contrary to Fiorina’s misguided statement, abortion is clearly central to this year’s California Senate election.

Moreover, there is a very real threat to Roe v. Wade, as an increasing number of candidates for the U.S. Senate across the country this year have stated that they would deny abortion even in cases of rape, incest, and danger to the woman’s life. Fiorina’s evasion of the issue of abortion is little more than an attempt not to lose votes...abortion is very much a subject of this election.

By contrast, Senator Boxer made it very clear that she stands by Roe, reasserting her belief that abortion is a decision that must be made by the woman, not by the Senate. “I’m not going to put my views on anyone else,” she said, displaying an attitude we wish more Senators would share. Furthermore, Boxer believes that federal funds should be provided for women in the case of rape, incest, and endangerment of the women’s life.

So take note, Carly: pro-choice students throughout California are watching, listening, and ready to fight for a woman’s right to choose. We’re voting for Boxer, and we’re voting to keep abortion safe and legal.

KEEP ABORTION LEGAL: KEEP BARBARA BOXER

With only a limited number of days left until the November 2nd elections, coat hangers with KEEP ABORTION LEGAL: KEEP BARBARA BOXER signs are cropping up on campuses—and not a moment too soon.

The race between Senator Barbara Boxer (D) and her challenger Carly Fiorina (R) is still a toss-up—we can take nothing for granted. We cannot afford to lose Senator Boxer—a renowned champion for women's rights and abortion rights—but that's what could happen if we don't mobilize immediately.

A key poll just released shows young people and women comprise the largest segment of undecided voters in the race between Boxer and Fiorina.

This campaign is so crucial, especially considering the fact that another new poll shows that a lot of the women who newly registered and voted in the 2008 Presidential election face a serious information deficit about this year’s campaign. But 61% of those women say that they would be more likely to vote if they knew that they could “defeat a candidate who does not trust women to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.”

Fiorina is one of those candidates, and getting the word out about her extreme anti-choice views will drive voters—particularly newly registered women—to the polls.

That's why we need your help. The Feminist Majority is spearheading a strategic statewide college campus organizing campaign to make sure students—especially young women—vote for Boxer.

Boxer and Fiorina are diametrically opposed on major issues. Here’s where they stand:

  • Abortion Rights: Boxer is the Senate’s foremost defender of women’s reproductive rights. Fiorina has said, “I absolutely would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade if the opportunity presented itself.”
  • The Environment: Boxer has been a staunch pro-environment legislator, and opposes new offshore drilling in California. Fiorina supports expanded offshore oil drilling in California and elsewhere, saying, “I believe off-shore oil drilling is absolutely necessary.” Fiorina’s “not sure” if climate change is real.
  • Gay Rights: Barbara Boxer supports same-sex marriage and was an early opponent of Prop. 8. Carly Fiorina voted YES on Prop. 8 to outlaw same-sex marriage in California.
  • Immigrant Rights: Barbara Boxer is a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act, she supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship, and opposes Arizona’s new anti-immigrant law, SB 1070. Carly Fiorina supports SB 1070, the new Arizona law cracking down on immigrants, and she opposes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Fiorina and her big business backers have millions to throw at this race before the November 2nd election. That’s why it’s so important that we mobilize. We MUST act now to send a clear message to Carly Fiorina that a woman’s right to choose is not for sale. You can help re-elect Boxer by getting involved and spreading the word; here’s how:

  • You can volunteer—get involved with the campaign on your campus, or start your own! You can also sign up to help phone bank, or adopt a polling place and volunteer on election day.
  • You can donate to the campaign—a donation as little as $5 can go a long way.
  • You can follow us on Twitter and find us on Facebook to get up-to-the-minute updates and alerts.

We also want to hear from you! Send us your stories from the ground, your videos, photos or blog posts. This blog is a place to share your experiences, ideas and updates with other campaigners.

The race between Boxer and Fiorina is neck-and-neck. Every vote counts, and student voters can make the difference!