Feminists will be out in force on Inauguration Day to demonstrate that while our votes weren't all counted, our voices will be heard.
 
Despite a gracious concession speech by Vice President Gore, many who opposed George W. Bush harbor extreme frustration stemming from a sense of fundamental injustice. NOW activists vow to turn that deep anger into determined activism and to band together with other organized constituencies who are doing the same.

Whether they supported Gore or Ralph Nader, the majority of voters rejected the positions of Bush and the Republican Party platform. We are confident NOW and our allies can mobilize sufficient public pressure on the White House and the Senate to prevent a roll-back of our rights. The new administration must see that mounting polarizing fights over controversial legislation or nominations, or using the Vice-President's tie-breaking vote to force a radical right-wing agenda through the Senate, will be self-defeating.

House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) reportedly said that he does not see this as a split election, but rather a time, with Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, to move his ultra-conservative agenda. We will make sure George W. Bush understands he needs to govern as he campaigned, from the center and not from the fringe.

The next elections begin in less than two years, and a disproportionate number of our opponents in the Senate must stand for reelection at that time. We have already started to identify and promote candidates who support feminist issues to run for the Senate and help us close the gap in  the House.  Our activists are gearing up to impact redistricting decisions so that incumbent feminists will not be gerrymandered out of their seats.

We are not dispirited or discouraged, and we will make sure those who agree with NOW on the issues know where they can turn to help move our agenda forward.

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