Should Women Stop Using Family as a Reason for Anything?
Last week one women threw Illinois politics for a spin —Lisa Madigan.
The current Illinois Attorney General was being recruited by the White House to run for the U.S. Senate (as they say, Barack Obama's seat) as well as considering a run to be the Governor. In the end, she decided to run for re-election.
As a Monday morning political pundit, I have to say that I think she made the right choice. She never seemed to have given any hint that she wanted anything to do with the U.S. Senate -- Illinois is where she wants to leave her mark. When former Governor Blagojevich was first under fire for allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat, Madigan's name was tossed around. She made it fairly clear that she didn't want to be the next senator from Illinois. And for some reason that I can't put my finger on, I believe her. Despite her father, I think she's a fairly honest politician.
As for governor... I think she's been gunning for this position for many years. But given the almost anemic powers of any governor, even the Governator seems strapped with kryptonite, has in the country and the horrible economic times, why would anyone with a bright political future want to trade up at this time?
But what is getting a lot of play in the media is Madigan's use of "family" in her decision:
"I made a decision about what was best for my family and what I ultimately thought was best for the state at this point,'' she said.
She said her role as mother to two young daughters "factored in" to her decision to run for re-election, though she wouldn't say it was the deciding factor.
"We have two wonderful little daughters and I want to be around to see them," she said.
Does the role of family in her decision put another black eye on women in politics? Is Madigan really Illinois' Sarah Palin?
That question is such a slap in the face of Madigan who seemed to have fashioned herself after Eliot Spitzer (without the sex scandal), taking on the role of "fighting for the little guy." But it's a question that should be expected to be asked anytime a woman decides that right now isn't the right time. Who utters family in a speech denying a run for higher office.
As WomenCount says on their blog, "If we had more women in office in the first place, Sarah Palin wouldn't be the symbol that she is for women in politics." But the fact is that we don't and thus Palin does hold this power over how people view women politicians, especially moms in politics.
Do you think that women using "family" as a reason to not run for an office hurts other women running for office?
[Image: Illinois Attorney General]
add to del.icio.us
add to digg
add to yahoo
related at technorati
share on facebook
Check our most impactful articles and see how popular these opinions are with you.
Will others follow in your footsteps? Share your thoughts and ideas for changing the world.
As an Illinois resident, I hope she stays where she is -- not because she wouldn't be a good governor or senator, but because she is such a good attorney general. For all that's wrong with Illinois politics -- and there seems to be no limit to what's wrong with Illinois politics -- Lisa Madigan is the exception. If you have a problem with a crummy company, the attorney general is there for you. Some state atty. generals (Minnesota for example) just shrug and say they have no power to help a common citizen. But if you contact the Illinois atty. general's office, they get it handled, and quick.