Girl Power, page 2
"Super-PAC." Carla picked through the chips. "I've heard that term on TV
and stuff, but I'm not sure what a super-PAC is."
Kelly edged forward. "It's kind of involved so I'll just give you the simple version. PACs are political action committees, collecting donations to support
various candidates or causes. PACs are regulated, disclosing who gives the
money and how much is given. Recently the Supreme Court saw fit to reverse a
hundred year old law and now wealthy people and corporations can contribute
unlimited funds anonymously for an election. In other words, buy an election."
Sally nodded and smiled. "Very well said, Kelly. The decision, Citizens
United, is unwelcome. Most ordinary people are against unlimited funding of
candidates since ninety-four percent of elections are won by candidates with the biggest war chest."
Kelly sighed. "So what're you going to do, Sally?"
"She could always run as an independent." Carla said.
Sally stood. "Ah, here she is. Have a seat, Lindy. We started grazing on
appetizers, but I haven't discussed our plan yet."
Lindy smiled at the gathering and handed a sheet of paper to Sally before
taking the seat beside her. "Sorry, I'm late. I was waiting for the first polling data."
"Thank you." Sally glanced at the paper, and raised her eyebrows. "Ladies some of you never met my friend and my last campaign manager, Lindy
Rollins."
Sally introduced them individually. "Lindy, to your right is Carla Mehlman, a talented freelance journalist. And the red-headed lady to her right is Kelly
Cahill."
Giving Kelly an apprising look, Lindy smiled and nodded.
"And the blonde lady across from Kelly," Sally continued, "is Jennifer Schmidt, the best damn lawyer in Mayland."
Sally rested a hand on Brenda's shoulder. "And of course you already know
Brenda Morris, my community relations expert, girl Friday, and the reason I'm
popular with minorities in our great state."
Carla looked to Sally. "So, does this mean you're running for the U.S. Senate as an independent?"
Sally smiled, "No, I'm shooting for something bigger."
Gaping, everyone, but Lindy leaned forward.
"President?" they asked in unison.
Sally laughed. "God no, not that big. As you probably know, the party we
were discussing has reached new lows with regards to women—women's health,
women's reproductive rights and women's rights in general."
All except Lindy nodded.
"For the last year, I stood by open-mouthed, as men in the House, who
hadn't a clue, passed law after archaic law about women, as if some omnipotent
wizard behind a curtain directed their actions. We know there's a Big Brother out there somewhere. It's as plain as the noses on our faces.
"This Big Brother is not only directing, but writing bills for republican state legislators across the spectrum, local, state and federal. Different versions of almost the same bills are being presented and passed in various Republican
controlled state legislators."
Sally took a drink of water
Kelly said, "I know. I'm boiling mad, but what can we do? It's a man's
world."
Sally snickered. "That's exactly what the party chairman had the nerve to
say to me. Well, that's about to change. Kelly, you said you're mad. Polls show
that millions of women across the country are mad, too.
"Let's face it. The fact that some shadowy group has declared war on us,
and that a certain party is going along lock stock and barrel, means there are men and even some women who don't like us. And we, as a gender, are never going
to reach our full potential unless we take matters into our own hands."
Jennifer raised her hand. "What're you getting at, Sally?"
Before Sally could answer, Lindy touched Sally's wrist. "I'd like to respond to that, if I may."
Sally sat. "Please do."
Lindy smiled. "Thank you." She glanced at Jennifer. "Jennifer, right?"
"Yes."
"Jennifer, women outnumber men in America by ten million. In two
thousand and eight, women cast nine million more votes than men did. Women
have political muscle. With numerical superiority, theoretically, women have the power to take over the country, literally.
Men know this, but in their smug superiority, don't worry about women.
They have the balls and we don't. Well, they misjudged us. Women don't need
balls. Our strength comes from within, not from our sex organs. Up until now,
this generation has never had a reason to assert ourselves, but things are
changing. With the advent of the Tea Party, right wing legislators are getting
more and more radical. Which brings me to the point of this meeting."
Lindy paused and glanced at each of the other women. "Ladies, Sally and I
are proposing that we form a political party for women. Men can join. We know
not all men are pigs. There are many empathetic, caring men, who can sign up as
SAFE members. Ladies, women have the numbers and with that, we have the
power to, as some politicians are so fond of saying, 'Take back our country'."
Carla snickered and mumbled, "Except we never had it."
Lindy laughed. "Picky, picky." Which caused everyone to laugh.
"Now, if I may continue." Lindy held up the paper she'd shown to Sally.
"We just got preliminary polling back from Molly Markum at the Women's
League that tells us that sixteen percent of the women polled would be
somewhat or very interested in joining a political party whose candidates are
exclusively women or proponents of women's issues."
"Sixteen percent isn't very much," said Jennifer.
"You're right, but the poll was based on a hypothetical. Think about it, if the poll is accurate, roughly twenty million women are mad enough to join a party
that doesn't yet exist. I was told, if we received five percent we had a window.
Give women an actual women's party and that might easily double and that's
without going out and actually recruiting women."
Kelly raised her hand.
"Yes, Kelly?"
"You mentioned the Women's League. Are they aware of your plan, and if
so, what is their opinion?"
Sally answered, "I can't speak for the entire membership of the Women's
League. To say their president, Molly Markum, is in favor of a women's party is
like saying a golfer is pleased when she gets a hole-in-one."
Lindy grinned. "Molly and the leadership of other women's groups we've
spoken to are all ecstatic and behind us one hundred percent."
Sally nodded. "Yes, and they've committed to giving us any support they
can."
A buzz of activity and a flurry of questions followed Lindy's revelation.
"What will the Democrats and Republicans do?"
"I'm in, but won't we need more women?"
"Isn't this an overreach for six women?"
"How do we get the word out?"
"What about abortion?"
"And contraception? That was settled eons ago."
"How about equal pay?"
"How about the economy?"
"Yeah, and won't we need money? Lots of money?"
"What's this new party called?"
Sally waved her hands for a time out. "Ladies, please. Lindy or I will answer all of your questions. Unless you have a better idea, we are naming our party
Stand Aligned For Equality. Or SAFE, for short."
"Ooh, I like that. I feel SAFE and more equal already." Brenda clapped her hands, excitedly.
Everyone laughed.
Sally continued. "As for what the other parties will do, I don't know, but I hope they cringe in their wingtips."
More laughter.
Lindy chipped in. "If we're successful, we'll need plenty more women and
men—hundreds, perhaps thousands of staff members and volunteers."
Sally added. "As for getting the word out, each of you has a sphere of
expertise, which if you join us, will help to get the word out. Who wants in?"
Brenda snickered. "Try and keep me out!"
"Me too," Kelly agreed, "I'm definitely in."
Carla raised her hand. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Count me in."
Jennifer pursed her lips. "I'm in as long as hubby doesn't have a fit."
"Fantastic. Brenda will pass out information sheets for you to fill out."
Brenda quickly passed sheets to the members.
"Thank you Brenda. Now, Kelly asked if we weren't going to need money.
Yes, we will need money—tons of it. Lindy and I have opened a checking
account for $40,000, which is everything we can spare. We would like each of
you to donate—if you can—what you can.
"Kelly, your husband is rich, and together you have many wealthy contacts.
That's why we're naming you our Treasurer and Chairwoman for fundraising."
Kelly grinned. "I was hoping you'd ask me. I already do fundraising for
many charities and believe me, I have connections." She laughed. "In fact, as a charter member of SAFE, my husband has agreed to make SAFE's first
donation—the sum of $100,000."
All mouths dropped open with accompanying gasps.
"I don't—"
Lindy held up her hand. "Please Jennifer. This is what Sally and I want. Ten hours of charity a week is enough, from what Sally says you have a family. You
have bills to pay and mouths to feed."
Jennifer smiled. "I'm used to long hours. I'll keep track of my hours, but I'll only report them if I need money."
"And that leaves Brenda. Sweetie, you will continue your normal job on my
staff, but, in addition, we want you to be our public relations person. You will arrange for getting one or both of us TV guest spots, magazine interviews, town
hall meetings, etc."
Lindy added. "We'll also need you to work closely with Kelly on
fundraisers."
Brenda took a deep breath. "I'm kind of inexperienced, but it sounds like
fun. What about a website? We'll definitely need a website."
"Lindy has already made one. Tell them Lindy."
"Sure. Ladies our website is www.safe.gov. Sally's email is Sallyc@safe.gov and mine is Lindyr@safe.gov. You will all be given similar emails so let me know how you want your name displayed.
"How about social media and a blog?" Brenda added, "Those would really help to get the word out."
"I agree," said Sally, "Lindy and I discussed that, but it's out of our realm of expertise. Carla, could you set up and operate the blog? I can contribute an
occasional piece, plus I'd like to have politicians contribute guest blogs."
"No problem, boss."
"Good and as for Twitter and so forth, can you get that going, Brenda?"
"I'd love to, but it could become a handful with all my other work."
Lindy leaned forward placing her arms on the table. "When it gets to be too much to handle, hire someone to monitor them, but make sure you keep an eye
on what we're sending out."
~ * * ~
Sally and Lindy remained after the others and had another drink. "What do
you think, Lindy?"
"I think they're great. Couldn't ask for better members to start. I am
disappointed in you though."
Sally's eyebrows arched. Stiffening, she pointed at her chest. "Me? What
for?" "You started this whole women’s party thing because the Democratic Party wouldn’t support you to run for the U.S. Senate and now that you will have a
party's support you’re not even running.”
"Didn't you hear what I said? They would super-PAC the hell out of me."
"Sweetheart, you are one of the smartest women I know. You are the perfect
candidate, and your constituents love you. You should run against Winston and
Mannogue for that senate seat. They are going to super-PAC all of us. We are a
mortal threat to politics as they know it, so you may as well get used to it. I
would like to see you be SAFE's first candidate for national office. That alone
would give us national exposure that would take hundreds of thousands of
advertising dollars to match."
"You make some good points. However, I figure I'll be buried getting SAFE
up and running."
Lindy picked up and bit the end off a chip. “Nothing you could do here
would advance our agenda, more than having a candidate for national office."
Sally swallowed the last of her not so frozen margarita. "Would you be my
campaign manager?"
Lindy smiled. "If you'll have me."
Sally laughed. "When did you turn comedian? Let's go to my office. I want
to compare the pros and cons."
Chapter Two - The Next Day
It certainly must have been a relief for the women of the country to realize that one could be a woman and a lady and yet be thoroughly political.
– Agnes E. Meyer
Sitting at her desk the next day, the phone rang. "Good morning. Lindy
Rollins, can I help you?"
"Hi, Lindy, this is Carla."
"Hi, Carla. What's up?"
"I'm about to email you a press release I just wrote, announcing the
formation of SAFE and brief synopsis of what we are and what our goals are.
"That's great. I can't wait to read it, but before you send it, I need you to amend something."
"What do you mean?"
"I need you to add that Sally Cummings, our first candidate, of hopefully
many, will be running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Dan Mannogue."
Carla was silent at the other end, and then laughed. "Sally's running?"
"Ah-huh."
"That's fantastic. She'll make a great Senator."
Lindy's door opened slightly and Kelly peeked in. Lindy waved her in and
covered the mouthpiece of the handset. "Hi, Kelly, come on in." She pointed to a seat in front of her desk. "Have a seat, I'm almost done."
Kelly smiled, nodded and crept in quietly, as if she were a burglar. Sitting
on the closest chair, she placed her arms on the armrests and waited for Lindy to finish.
"Carla, Kelly just came in, so I have to go."
"No problem. That's all I had to say. I'll get right on the addition and email you the revised release."
"Thanks. Make sure you send a copy to Sally, too."
"Will do."
"Thanks for calling, Carla."
"Bye."
Lindy hung up the phone and turned her attention to her visitor, who
looked great in a coral and blue floral ensemble—low cut, knee length dress and
cardigan with matching three-inch heels. "Good morning, Kelly."
"Hi, Lindy."
"You look like you're going to be in a fashion show. I'll bet you were a
beauty queen when you were young."
"Not really. My father would never have any of that. Everything is so casual these days; I just like to dress up. I was a model though, when I was younger. I guess I never got over wearing nice clothes."
Lindy panned Kelly. "Well, you look very nice. Tell me, what brings you
here?"
"I have some things to tell you."
Lindy dipped her head. "Yes?"
"First, when we left our luncheon yesterday, we girls were so wound up, we
went to my home and discussed our brand new women's political party at
length."
Lindy leaned back in her executive chair. "What did you talk about?"
Kelly crossed her well-turned legs. "First of all, I should tell you we are all thrilled. We are so tired of being second-class citizens that we're willing to work our fingers to the bone to make this work."
Lindy entwined her fingers. "I know what you mean. Sally and I feel the
same way."
"We discussed the project for hours." She waggled her eyebrows. "And went through several bottles of Ricardo's wine collection while we did."
Lindy grinned.
"I'm afraid my sweet Ricardo will be annoyed when he finds out."
"Finds out what?"
"That we drank three of his most prized wines, Chateau La something or
other, Petrus Pamer…I forget and Dom ro…row your boat." She licked her lips and pretended to rub her belly. "And let me tell you, they were yummy. Ricardo has good taste."
Lindy laughed. "I know, he married you."
Kelly hitched her chin. "Thank you. The problem is he was saving those
wines for a grand celebration." She giggled and raised an eyebrow. "I ask you, what could be grander than the birth of a new women's movement?"
"Good point. Sounds like Sally and I missed a good time."
"You did, and I for one, got a little tipsy, so about eleven o'clock, I brewed a pot of coffee, because I didn't want anyone to have trouble driving home."
"No, we surely wouldn't want an accident or any breathalyzer tests."
Kelly laughed. "No, we sure wouldn't. It would make our fledgling
organization look very bad. Nonetheless, we had a very productive meeting. We
came up with a plethora of ideas, most of which you and Sally are probably
already implementing, but I'm here, anyway, to tell you about our suggestions
and concerns. Would you like to hear them?"
"Of course. This is a joint effort for women, by women."
Kelly uncrossed her legs and straightened up. "I knew you'd say that. You
know what I like?"
"What?"
"That everyone is so nice, Sally and you included. I'm sure you know many
times when you get a group of women together some can act…well, catty."
Lindy sighed. "Yes, it's too bad, but I'm afraid you're right."
