The Republican National Committee (RNC) responded to the flurry of Gore/Wolf stories by issuing a dismissive news release that poked fun at Ms. Wolf's writings and political analogies to alpha/beta animal research. Even Ms. Wolf -- whom many feminists categorize as moderate -- is apparently too strong a women's rights supporter for the GOP. Is it any wonder that Elizabeth Dole was driven from that party's presidential primary race?
The tenor of the debate around Ms. Wolf's role in the Gore campaign smacks of sexism. The media and the pundits take the likes of Dick Morris very seriously. Yet, the highly intelligent Ms. Wolf is mocked as critics note that she is giving the vice president fashion tips. Something is definitely wrong with this picture.
Women elected the last president, and we will elect his successor. Al Gore's decision to bring a feminist on board is purely pragmatic -- it makes good political sense. Candidate Gore knows that he must speak to the issues that drive women voters: Issues like abortion rights and reproductive freedom, child care, poverty, pay equity, affirmative action, education, health care, violence and hate crimes.
The vice president's adversaries would be well-advised to follow his lead.
###