I debated on writing about the Antony Weiner scandal, but was promoted by another blog post I read from the Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics. It seems as if sex scandals involving elected officials are becoming an everyday occurrence. Turn on the television and the lead story lately has been our own former governor and his infidelity, along with a United States Congressman and his “problems.” On the way home a few weeks ago I listened to his press conference and was grateful my seven year old daughter was not with me. But I have to wonder, why is it men who are in elected office think they can get away with this behavior? What it tells me is that, even in 2011, politics is still a boys’ club!
What I have found over many years from working in the political arena is that it is very seldom (if at all) that we hear of a woman embroiled in a “sexting” scandal or anything else of that nature. This is one more reason why we need more women in elected office, especially in California.
What is disappointing when we hear about elected officials like Anthony Weiner is their blatant disrespect for the office they have the privilege to serve in. Further, these actions take all elected officials down in the public’s eye; despite that there are many who work hard for the people who they represent. This makes it that much harder to recruit good candidates, and especially women, to run for office. That is why in California we see the number of women running for and getting elected to office declining.
I have often said: Women decide to run for office to make a difference, to solve a problem. Over the years when I talk to a women serving in office, her story starts out the same “Well, I was frustrated because my city council, school board, etc. was not doing X, X, and X so I decided to run.” Men on the other hand tend to run because they see it as giving them a purpose, a title. That is not to say there are not good men out there serving in elected office, but it has long been said: Ask a women to run for President and she will respond – “Well, I don’t know if I am qualified” – even though she is, but ask a man and he will respond “Why, that is a great idea, I think I will” – even when he has no qualifications.
Research also shows that women take the “job” of elected office much more seriously, mostly because it takes more work for women to get elected and because they are acutely aware of the scrutiny they are under. In my opinion, women take the impact of the type of behavior demonstrated by Anthony Weiner more seriously; recognizing the impact it can have, not only on their careers, but on their family as well.
So what is next? Where do we go from here? 2012 can be a great year for women in California politics. With new legislative and congressional lines, drawn by an independent board, and an open primary, there will be ample opportunities for women to run and be elected. That does not even count the opportunities on the local level. The first step is the hardest, and that is making the decision to run, but you will be surprised who turns out to support you!
California Women Lead is here to help. With nine chapters throughout the state and a number of training opportunities in the next few months, we want to help you achieve your political goals. Visit www.cawomenlead.org for upcoming events in your area.
It will be up to women, in my opinion, to bring back the dignity and raise the bar for elected officials in all levels of government. I hope you will join me and CA Women Lead in making that happen.
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