National Organization for Women-NYS reacts to "aggressive" slap at Maloney

ALBANY, NY (01/17/2009)(readMedia)-- The National Organization for Women-PAC led the charge as the first organization to endorse Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney for the Senate seat that will soon be vacated by Senator Hillary Clinton, because women felt Maloney would aggressively pursue an agenda that is good for women, children, and families of New York State. She's a leader we can believe in.

And then we read Elizabeth Benjamin's blog on the January 16 Daily News website that Ken Lovett reported: "A source close to Paterson has said Maloney has little chance. The governor, the source said, finds her too aggressive." In response to this strange assertion, NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas asks: "Is it too aggressive to,

  • Go after jobs for New York State?
  • Rebuild New York State after 9-11?
  • Insist on proper health care for the 9-11 responders?
  • Go after stimulus resources for New York State?
  • Push for high speed rail which would help develop upstate New York?
  • Work for and pass major legislation to help not only New York State, but our country?
  • Fight to end deceptive Credit Card practices?"

Pappas further states, "Aggressive means assertive. Assertive, hardworking representation is a good thing; it's what New Yorkers want in their leaders. Dismissing a woman as "aggressive" instead of focusing on her record is insufferable. What is a positive for men is turned into a negative for women. Did anyone ever find Senator Chuck Schumer "too aggressive?" He is effective, and so is Carolyn Maloney. Did we learn anything from all of the hateful stereotyping of Senator Clinton in the last campaign? I hope so, because words mater. And so do achievements.

Maloney has won the endorsement of the National Organization for Women-PAC, National Organization for Women Legislators PAC, Business and Professional Women PAC, Feminist Majority PAC, National Women's Political Caucus PAC, 504 Democratic Club, Gloria Steinem, and Cranes Business Magazine.

So, yes, Carolyn Maloney is aggressive. New Yorkers should be thankful for that!

See http://maloney.house.gov/