National NOW Times >> Spring 2006 >> Article

Viewpoint

By Kim Gandy, President

Well, it's over. Samuel Alito—George W. Bush's nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court—has been confirmed. And lest we forget the bitter lessons of that battle, we must ask what we've learned, and what it means for the future of women's rights.

The past three months have been as invigorating, frustrating, stressful and hopeful as any period during my 18 years as a national officer of NOW. It was Halloween when Bush first strode to the podium with Judge Alito by his side. This was Bush's third nominee for O'Connor's seat. The first, John G. Roberts, was elevated to Chief Justice after William Rehnquist died. Despite our hard work, Roberts was confirmed with minimal opposition from our allies in the Senate, and will lead the Court for decades. Bush's next choice, Harriet Miers, was brought down by the fiercely united opposition of the conservative base, which was unconvinced that Miers would be a guaranteed vote against abortion, same-sex marriage and the like.

LESSON ONE: Bush listens to his base, and makes decisions based on their interests—something we can't say about politicians whose base has the opposite interests, and who would be harmed by those same decisions.

After the Miers fiasco, Bush gave his far-right Republican base an apology in the form of Sam Alito. He'd been on the short list, so we knew him well. So NOW set about getting the word out: This guy is going to be a nightmare for women. Not surprisingly, Bush's ultra-conservatives pals were suddenly appeased. Heck, they seemed downright blissful. So NOW leaders and organizers knew what we had to do. We played to our strengths by turning to our grassroots.

LESSON TWO: When women's rights are under serious threat, and we really need to rally the troops, NOW activists will answer the call. It's not so much a new lesson, as an old one proven true yet again. Women and men from around the country poured into D.C. during January, to visits their senators on Capitol Hill, run phone banks, write letters, and be a visible and active opposition campaign. Far-flung NOW chapters set up their own lobby days at district offices, held rallies and pickets, organized letter writing campaigns, and so much more.

I couldn't be more proud of the energy and passion demonstrated by my NOW sisters and brothers. When the next Supreme Court opening occurs (sadly, I fear it won't be far off), we know that reinforcements will be standing by, ready for action. But all the grassroots in the world can't stop a dangerous Supreme Court nominee without senators who care about our rights and will stand up for women. But before I let our so-called supporters in the Senate have it, what about our pathetic mainstream media?

LESSON THREE: We the people will not long survive with big media in charge of the message. Turn on the TV or open a newspaper and you're likely to see right-wing spin packaged as "news." Thank goodness for AirAmerica radio, the burgeoning Internet blogs and other independent outlets that are starting to pick up the slack for the increasingly lazy and bottom line-driven corporate media. This is why NOW will be making increasing use of electronic media with email, podcasts, streaming video and any method that allows us to distribute and control our own message.

LESSON FOUR: The current political climate has convinced many senators that taking a strong, principled stand for women's rights, civil rights and liberties, heck even the truth, is hazardous to winning elections—including a good number of senators who care about women's rights, but who are also nervous about reelection. It's a vicious, ridiculous cycle. Senators must get elected in order to protect and advance our rights. But those same senators, once in office, feel they mustn't defend those rights too boldly for fear they'll be voted out of office. I'm not convinced this is a fact—I believe there are enough voters out there who can elect genuine, courageous liberals. But at this moment the right wing controls all three branches of government, and that makes moderates and progressives shake in their boots.

LESSON LAST: Heroes still exist, but even heroes need support and encouragement. By calling for a filibuster of Alito, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry made a valiant stand for justice, and spent endless hours working to convince their colleagues to fight back against Bush's effort to stack the courts. Together, Kerry, Kennedy and all of us who wrote letters and made countless phone calls, garnered 25 votes of conscience on behalf of the people of this country whose lives will be changed irrevocably by Alito's decisions.

We lost this pivotal battle, and women's rights will be the worse for it. But we are ready for the next round, and ultimately victory will be ours.