September 5, 2008: The New Agenda demands apology from Sen. Reid’s office over sexist criticism of Gov. Palin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: newagendapress@yahoo.com
Sept. 5, 2008 – The New Agenda, a non-partisan women’s advocacy organization, has written and delivered an open letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his press secretary, Jim Manley,
demanding an apology and recantation of remarks made by Manley in retort to Sarah Palin’s RNCC acceptance speech.
On September 3, Manley, speaking to CNN, referred to Palin’s speech as “Shrill and sarcastic political attacks.”
Sacha Millstone, a founding member of The New Agenda sees the “shrill” characterization as distracting from the actual issues, “For some reason it has heretofore been acceptable for the media and politicians to comment on the voices, clothing and appearance of female candidates, while the same characteristics are never discussed about male candidates. No more. It demeans women, and takes away from the credibility of their messages. We call on all participants in the political arena to cease the sexist focus on physical characteristics.”
Amy Siskind, another founding member of The New Agenda, sees the acceptance of sexism in politics as a direct result of leadership, “It is high time that the leadership of all political parties stand-up and speak out against the sexism that has, until now, been allowed to grow and fester in the political arena. We need our country’s political leadership to kill the roots wherever and whenever they grow.”
The New Agenda sent their open letter to Reid’s office on September 5. A full copy of the letter is available on The New Agenda’s website and can be accessed directly by following this link: Letter from The New Agenda to Senator Harry Reid.
