NRCC MEMO: “a bunch of white guys”

September 20, 2012

TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: ANDREA BOZEK, DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, NRCC
DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
SUBJECT: “a bunch of white guys”

Remember the “War on Women?” Well, where does this fit in?

In yesterday’s Arizona Daily Star, Democrat Congressman Ron Barber was quoted saying that the Republican Party is “essentially a bunch of white guys.” His statement even made it into the headline.

On their face, Mr. Barber’s comments are ironic for obvious reasons, but his words are particularly shameful and insulting given who his Republican opponent is in November.

Barber is running against Martha McSally (AZ-02), a pioneering leader who has shattered the glass ceiling for women in uniform. McSally is the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat, and first to command a fighter squadron in combat in United States history.

If that wasn’t enough, McSally earned national recognition in 2002 for successfully overturning a military policy requiring all U.S. servicewomen to wear a Muslim Abaya and headscarf when off base in Saudi Arabia

McSally embodies the struggle women have made for generations. She is in a league of her own – a hero not only to women in uniform but any woman who has faced discriminatory barriers in her life or career.

McSally is, no doubt, used to having to listen to ignorant views like Mr. Barber’s over the years. But that doesn’t make Mr. Barber’s comments any less insulting.

McSally is just one of our stellar Republican female candidates running for Congress this year. She and her peers will join an already exceptional group of female members of Congress when they are elected in November.

These women have already demonstrated that Mr. Barber is not only wrong – he’s just plain ignorant.

Mia Love (UT-04): Mia Love served two terms on the city council of Saratoga Springs, one of Utah’s fastest growing cities. As City Councilwoman and eventually Mayor, Mia led the city through a period of 1700% population growth in a decade. Mia is best known for her conservative positions on limited government, increased citizen liberties and limited restraints on business. She believes the best thing she can do as mayor is stay out of the way of business and out of the lives of citizens. She is a wife and mother of 3 children. In her spare time Mia is an avid runner, tread trainer, and accomplished singer and dancer.

Maggie Brooks (NY-25): Maggie Brooks is well-known for her fiscally responsible leadership and commitment to serving the interests of local taxpayers as the first woman to be elected Monroe County Executive. Maggie has worked directly with local employers to help their businesses create over 15,000 jobs, retain over 70,000 jobs, and invest more than $3 billion in the local economy. Maggie has also established a rock solid record on property tax stability and fiscal restraint.

Kim Vann (CA-03): Kim Vann has been a successful businessperson for the past seven years. Prior to returning to the private sector, Vann served as a senior advisor to then-Congressman Doug Ose, protecting Northern California interests in the 2002 Farm Bill, securing funding for infrastructure improvements and challenging bureaucrats who resisted regulatory reform. Her strong beliefs in liberty, personal responsibility, public service and economic freedoms are deeply rooted.

Ann Wagner (MO-02): Ann Wagner has 25 years of work in the private sector, community and public service, and the political arena. At an early age, Ann started working beside her parents and learned the value of a dollar, a strong work ethic, honesty and integrity. After college, Ann went to work in the private sector and held management positions at Hallmark Cards. In 2005, following nomination by President Bush and confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Ann was sworn in as the 19th U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She served as U.S. Ambassador for four years.

Susan Brooks (IN-05): Susan Brooks is a former U.S. Attorney and has extensive experience in the public and private sectors. Susan has devoted her career to public service as a lawyer, a local official, a federal prosecutor, and a workforce development leader. In Indiana, Susan has helped develop and implement solutions related to public safety, homeland security and counter-terrorism, and job training and creation. For the last four years, Susan served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Ivy Tech Community College. During that time, she led statewide workforce development strategies aimed at improving job training and placement for thousands of Indiana residents. Susan has devoted countless volunteer hours to numerous civic and community efforts to improve the lives of Hoosier children and families.

Jackie Walorski (IN-02): Jackie Walorski started her career as a reporter at WSBT-TV and later worked as a Development Director to raise funds for local colleges and universities. After moving to Romania, Jackie and her husband founded their own agency and local foundation to help provide much-needed medical supplies to the country’s impoverished children. Returning home, Jackie was elected to her first of three terms in the Indiana House of Representatives in 2004. In the State House, Jackie made her mark by leading the fight to cut taxes and eliminate wasteful spending.