Thursday, July 10, 2008
More Women Troubles for McCain (12:35 am)
As if John McCain hadn’t already established himself as woefully unsympathetic to women’s issues, yesterday brought another illuminating episode.
A reporter asked McCain about health insurance companies that cover Viagra but not birth control. Earlier this week, McCain adviser Carly Fiorina said that she thought the practice was unfair.
Not only did McCain dodge the question, but it was clear that had never even thought about the issue:
When McCain was asked for his position on the issue, he said—with a nervous laugh–“I certainly do not want to discuss that issue.”
The reporter pressed. “But apparently you’ve voted against—“
“I don’t know what I voted,” McCain said.
The reporter explained that McCain voted against a bill in 2003 that would have required health insurance companies to cover prescription birth control. “Is that still your position?” she persisted.
During the awkward exchange, with several lengthy pauses, McCain said he had no immediate knowledge of the vote. “I’ve cast thousands of votes in the Senate,”
McCain said, then continued: “I will respond to—it’s a, it’s a…”
“Delicate issue,” the reporter offered, to a relieved laugh from McCain.
“I don’t usually duck an issue, but I’m—I’ll try to get back to you,” he explained.
Apparently hoping to redeem his image as a misogynist, McCain is holding a “women-only” town hall meeting in Wisconsin Friday. Maybe by then this “maverick” will have had a chance to consult his handlers for a position.
Of course McCain has a history of hostility towards the opposite sex. To learn the full extent of McCain’s anti-women positions, make sure to check out Kate Sheppard’s report, “McSexist: McCain’s War on Women” in the new issue of In These Times.
posted by Mark Berlin
Reader Comments
Martha,
I’d like to direct your attention to our March issue’s cover story: “Cutting Women Out: The Media’s Bias Against Female Presidential Candidates." In These Times is unwaveringly committed to equality.
posted by Jarrett on 7-10-08 at 10:11 AM
"Obama says that these women should not be able to obtain a late-term abortion”
Good for him! We should all want to make abortions safe and rare - and eliminate late term ones altogether.
As for HRC for president, surely we can do much MUCH better. She is worse than McCain, and her only claim to fame is her marriage to Bill. Bad enough to have suffered through a father son dynasty, lets not start with the husband wife versions!
posted by Kim on 7-10-08 at 11:56 AM
In her defense, Hillary Clinton displayed her respect for the Constitution - the founding document of our country and basis of all our laws - yesterday by voting against the ghastly FISA bill. Barack Obama voted for it. A complete about face.
Mark, thinks for the ‘concern.’ When the non-stop sexist attacks were aimed at Hillary, where was In These Times? I find your post and the new ITT cover hilarious. Maybe everyone missed Marie Cocco’s latest column on Barack and abortion?
http://www.postwritersgroup.com/archives/cocc080708.htm
posted by Martha on 7-10-08 at 9:47 AM