Another One Sees The Light

From ThinkProgress.org: 

The men in the Republican Party may not think they’re fighting a “war on women,” but its female senators certainly do. Yesterday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Kay Bailey Hutchison in criticizing the GOP’s push for legislation to restrict access to contraception and other basic health care services:

“It makes no sense to make this attack on women,” she said at a local Chamber of Commerce luncheon. “If you don’t feel this is an attack, you need to go home and talk to your wife and your daughters.”

I'm sure several GOP women have felt this way, but one at a time they are saying enough.  Murkowski also expressed regret at voting for the Blunt Amendment.  This implies she was under some mighty strong pressure to show support, because anyone this in tune with women's rights would have surely been disgusted at first sight.


The original article from the town of Homer, Alaska gives additional insight: 

"I think what you're sensing is a fear, a concern that women feel threatened, that a long settled issue might not be settled," Murkowski said.

She cited things like conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh's remarks about a female Georgetown University law student, which Murkowski called "offensive, horribly offensive."

To have those kind of slurs against a woman ... you had candidates who want to be our president not say, 'That's wrong. That's offensive.' They did not condemn the rhetoric," Murkowski said.

On abortion and contraception, Murkowski made her views clear.

"The right to a safe and legal abortion has been affirmed by the courts, and I stand by that," she said. "I will continue to support funding Planned Parenthood."

Well done, madam.  She's right every step of the way.  Women feel betrayed, and that any rights given to them can be taken away at the whim of a self-righteous zealot.  Rush Limbaugh was out of line, but that not a single candidate from the right called him on it is disgusting. It also shows they don't know how to play the game.  Even the most repugnant candidate could have scored major points by being the lone one to show compassion.  Epic fail on all counts.

Bravo.  May others follow her footsteps and begin turning this wreck around.