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Subscribe to RSSMIAMI, FL –- An email posing questions about traditional Christianity’s view of the role of women in political life is the subject of a bitter complaint today by a former member of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s presidential campaign.
The email was sent last summer from the personal account of an Iowa staffer working for former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. It was first reported Friday by the Des Moines Register.
The email reads, in part: "Is it Gods highest desire, that is, His biblically expressed will... to have a woman rule the institutions of the Family, the Church, and the State?"
Reached by telephone Saturday, the author of the email -- Jamie Johnson -- told NBC News his email has been "blown way out of proportion," and does not represent official campaign correspondence.
Johnson, who is a pastor at a central Iowa church, is Santorum’s “Iowa coalitions director,” tasked with building support among the state’s evangelical community.
"I was sharing my personal reflections with a friend through my private email account -– not the campaign account," Johnson said. “They were reflections on over 25 years of formal, theological study” based in “classical Christian doctrine.”
But the email, passed this summer from its recipient to a member of the Bachmann campaign, is raising questions about attitudes inside the evangelical voting bloc over which Bachmann and Santorum competed in the run-up to the Jan. 3 caucuses.
Santorum finished a close second in the contest; Bachmann finished in last place among those competing and dropped out of the presidential race the next day.
Peter Waldron, who lives in Florida and worked nationally Iowa as Bachmann’s “faith outreach coordinator,” says that “misogyny was a serious issue in Iowa” -- and argues that “medieval attitudes” are to blame, in part, for his candidate’s weak showing.
He is today demanding an apology from Santorum over a “sexist strategy” in the state, sending a press release only hours before Santorum won the support of a key meeting of national evangelical leaders.
Citing Johnson’s email, Waldron makes this charge: “Evangelical surrogates [for Santorum] promoted the idea that a female cannot be an elected official or a commander-in-chief.”
(Waldron, who has managed Christian outreach for Republican candidates since Ronald Reagan’s 1980 run, received a rash of press himself this summer, over his 2006 arrest in Uganda on terrorism charges. He tells NBC News he was there on a Christian mission, and his arrest had to do with his opposition to the sitting president's effort to force a third term through the legislature.)
Native observers of political and religious life in Iowa are more measured, but acknowledge a debate over Bachmann's gender emerged in churches after her presidential fortunes slipped.
"I know of pastors who were supporting her before the [Aug. 13] straw poll, and then I saw pastors try to tell everybody when she was plummeting in the polls that we needed male leadership," says the Des Moines-based, nationally-syndicated radio host Steve Deace, who is supporting former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for president.
"She was trying to get elected as a woman," Deace adds about Bachmann. "And I think in general people in both parties are more comfortable voting for men. Just ask Hillary Clinton."
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If Michelle Bachmann was worried about medieval attitudes, then she should stop trying to appeal to fundamentalist Christians. It was always going to be a challenge for a woman to win a nomination with a primary base of support that is notoriously patriarchal.
I'm quessing Mr. Johnson hasn't seen Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."
"She was trying to get elected as a woman," Deace adds about Bachmann. "And I think in general people in both parties are more comfortable voting for men. Just ask Hillary Clinton."
Oh really?
Any way you cut it, the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama vote totals are within less than 1 percent of each other. Both candidates got roughly 18 million votes, but since four states don’t list official counts, the precise totals can’t be known.
Amy & Pat,
You are referring to two VERY strong, independent minded women. However, sad to say, the glass ceiling is still there, and women have to work harder, be tougher than men to break through it. Mrs. Bachmann's whining doesn't help women, it hurts us.
phinephancy, Michele Bachmann is out to lunch and the voters saw it.
I don't believe America is afraid to vote for women as is suggested here. There are quite a few female governors out there if I'm not mistaken. How many of them beat males on election day?
And if there was no Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton as the nominee would have been very competitive against McCain. There would have been a great deal of comparing Clinton not to McCain, but with Palin as women in that race, and I think Hillary Clinton would have prevailed. I'll never know that for sure, but Palin was another one who doesn't represent women very well.
Hillary most certainly does.
I think in corporate America the glass ceiling is still very much in play.
Holy mackeral. 49ers/Saints - awesome awesome game.
Pat,
The Saints have never won a playoff game on the road.
And, yes, there are women governors, senators, etc. But, I am referring to the Presidency. That is a harder goal for Americans. Maybe the Europeans, having had female monarchs are used to powerful women. However, it is rather new to us.
Mrs. Bachmann would have been a terrible representative for women, as Mrs. Palin. I know I push role models like Mrs. Clinton, Golda Meir, yes - even Margaret Thatcher, to my granddaughter as strong women to be like (and then be better). As she says, "Girls are ALWAYS better than boys!" (I may add she is 11 and her grandfather is pushing the "yuck boys" thing the closer she gets to dating age!)
Wow, Pat, you scored fast!!!
I thought people didn't vote for Bachmann because she is so wacky. It didn't have anything to do with her gender. The race between Obama and Clinton had to do with choosing between two qualified candidates and most people's reservations didn't have anything to do with gender or race.
If Obama wasn't on the scene, Hillary would now be President. Good Bad or Indifferent, it is a fact...
Go 9er's! now if tebow can make it 2 for 2 I'll be happy...
Steeler Fan,
You are probably right about the majority of the people, but the bias against women is still out there hidden in the dark shadows. (And it didn't hurt that Ms. Bachmann was wacky and not the sharpest knife in the drawer).
With the Obama/Clinton race, I think some hidden women bias and a wanting for someone not named Clinton or Bush, played into the race. I bet if you asked Mrs. Clinton she would admit to the fact it is still hard for a woman to break through that glass ceiling!
FYI, the Pats/Denver game is so one sided we are now channel surfing!
Egilman, you're probably right, but I'm not certain that's how things would have played out. McCain's biggest mistake was choosing Palin as his running mate, and that move was largely motivated by a desire to appeal to female voters who he believed would be alienated by Obama's defeating Clinton and might be attracted to his ticket. That strategy didn't work out, but it's quite possible that if Clinton had won the nomination, McCain would have selected a different running mate, perhaps with different results. A long shot, but I don't think we can understate just how much damage Palin did to McCain's popularity, both during the election and since as he continues to defend that mistake even today.
Republicans don't help the case for women when they promote idiots like Palin and Bachmann, you can not compare them to Hilary, the only thing they have in common with Hilary is that they are all women, and then that's the end of it, after that it is major league against little league.
I totally agree, Forrest. Women as clueless as Bachmann and Palin have no business in national politics. Competency trumps gender and race in the minds of voters who can think for themselves.
Bachmann comes across as deferential to her own husband, so how does she expect to be viewed by the public? That kind of relationship should have died out with the Passenger Pigeon.
I think that fact that she is a religious cult member who can't seem to tell the truth ...had a lot to do with it also ...and then there is he "Marcus Factor " ....the death squads...etc
Hard to imagine she would expect anything different from the backward medieval dark-age group she reigns from. Barefoot and pregnant, the ideal right-wing Christian woman.
Now, I do believe there is still a bias against women, overall, in powerful positions. There is still a glass ceiling. That being said, Ms. Bachmann, in this case, doesn't have a leg to stand on. She brought up being "submissive" to her husband. She played to a group that DOES believe in the old "a woman's place is in the home". So, now, since she didn't get the support to go on in the primary she is looking for an excuse. She needs to be a REAL woman, suck it up and live to fight another day.
I agree.... it's still the "good ole boys club"...no matter what they say .
I know the primaries of 2008 were hard for me. I favored President Obama, but, the woman in me wanted Hillary. Good part of that internal debate was the fact we finally had a woman candidate who could show the American people what women are capable of!
I'm guessing Mr. Johnson can't name Germany's Chancellor.
(And, funny, since Thatcher and Angela Merkle are conservative icons.) Maybe the experience of having Sarah Palin humiliate them, set back feminism in the American right-wing?
Amy, I agree with your comment about Sarah Palin. When we see Michele Bachmann, many of us see Sarah Palin. Not good. They're both a little out there.
Amy, I don't think feminism ever existed in the far-right wing and it would be very sad indeed to see middle of the road conservatives regress to the degenerative nature of their far-right brethren. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Johnson thinks those females in charge of Europe is a direct result of all the rampant socialism.
Are there any really strong, conservative women out there? No snark. Just wondering. Last I can think of is Libby Dole and Kay Bailey Hutchinson.
I've spent way too much time this primary season, trying to understand what Republicans want. I admit, Michele Bachmann has grown on me, especially watching her take down "Newt Romney" over their hypocrisy regarding healthcare and lobbying.
I'm liking all theRepublicans more now they are attacking each other. It's refreshing to hear them saying about each other what Democrats have been saying all along.
If pastors stopped supporting her for President because she's female, they really should go to the movies more often. It doesn't pay to miss a Meryl Streep performance.
edit: they aren't stupid enough to think Thatcher led England into socialism?
Amy,
Problem with Michelle Bachmann is she doesn't have the "steel spine" that is necessary for a woman running for the top office.
You know, I can remember MANY years ago (I hate admitting that) having a family discussion on whether we would have a black president or woman president first. Angering the women of the family, it was decided that an African American would be president before a woman. Reasoning, women are "too emotional". I think many men, even today, secretly feel that way. Americans have come a long way, but still have a problem with women in the top power structure (Presidency)
Two names to think about in the future (2016 and/or 2020) Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren.
Hillary may be a possibility, but Warren is decidedly the up and comer, I think in four years Hillary just might be past the electorates prime.
Here's another name, Debbie Wasserman Shultz. And not to be snarky, where are the names for conservative women? I am really trying to think of some names and drawing a blank. Only name I can give a maybe to is Condi Rice.
Here's a few....
Senators: Lisa Murkowski, Alaska(?!?); Olympia Snowe, Maine; Susan Collins, Maine; Elizabeth Dole North Carolina; Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas
Governors: Oline Walker, Utah; Linda Lingle, Hawaii, M. Jodi Rell, Connecticut
Members of the House: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Florida; Deborah Pryce, Ohio; Barbara Cubin, Wyoming; Sue Myrick North Carolina; Jo Ann Emerson, Missouri; Kay Granger, Texas; Mary Bono, California; Heather Wilson , New Mexico; Judith Borg Biggert , Illinois; Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia; Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee; Ginny Brown-Waite, Florida; Candice Miller, Michigan; Marilyn Musgrave, Colorado; Thelma Drake, Virginia; Virginia Foxx, North Carolina; Cathy McMorris Rodgers, West Virginia; Jean Schmidt, Ohio
Egilman,
Yes, but which of these names would put out there as presidential possibilities/probabilities for the GOP? I think the senators you named may be too moderate for the GOP.
Liz Dole #1, but, she is too much of a lady for the moving machine gun target that a presidential campaign make you.
Hutch #2, she has definitely got the ambition, but has yet to prove her conservative credentials to the party mainstream.
Murkowski #3, Definitely has the cred, but hasn't shown the ambition yet, still time for her though.
Of the rest, Granger, Rogers & Miller are the strongest and better known, but are still cooking in the pot for the future.
Thanks, Egilman. I will keep my eye on these ladies.
The GOP would never elect a woman and/or a black. It's kinda like they threw Palin, Bachman, and Cain out there to prove that they weren't biased, knowing full well that the three of them would further set back equality of sex and race.
You know, I want to say you are wrong, but deep inside I am afraid you may be right!
I don't know, it is said Sarah Palin nearly saved McCain in the 2008 race. Conservatives had no problem putting a woman a heartbeat away fom the Presidency. I think the Bachmann complaint is just sour grapes.
I hate whiney losers, male or female!
I think the whole race and gender issue is moot in today's age of politics the fact that the republican party tried to recruit Mrs. Dole back in the late '80's early '90's is more proof than anyone needs on the republican side, she had over 70% support from the rank and file Republicans. The fact that Mrs. Clinton Almost got there doesn't have anything to do with gender issues, it was more emotional issues, Hillary came across too much as a political shark rather than a political mender. Knowing what I know now, I would rather have Hillary than the president we have now.
Egilman,
As a woman, I respectfully disagree. If you break down the poll numbers between the Obama/Clinton run, you will see the majority of women supported Mrs. Clinton. This is why McCain went with Palin, trying to pick up disappointed Clinton supporters. He might have been more successful had he picked someone like Kay Bailey Hutchinson, or even one of the lovely, strong senators from Maine. To match Mrs. Clinton, he needed someone smart and strong - neither which can be said of Sarah Palin.
I don't disagree with you phine, I was just commenting that the gender issues as far as electability is moot in my opinion.
Egilman,
That's because you are a man. Sorry, but a lot of women feel differently, and will until that glass ceiling is shattered.
Of course the matter could be solved if you just elect me Queen for life! LOL
Sorry girl, I can't help myself, I was born this way...;-)
Thanks for everyone's input - nice to see dissenting opinions without personal attacks.
Hey, Egilman and I are a class act. And we will be taking it on the road to a comedy club near you! Don't forget to tip your waitress! LOL
Well phine has the class, I'm just an act...
Ba da boom (rim shot)
Hey, I think we are both classy (and we sure can act up alot)
Thank you girl, but I have to admit I've been a bad boy today...
(over on another thread making liberal heads explode, it can be fun, but gotta watch myself it does get addictive)
That's okay. I am trying to be an equal opporunity head exploder. And it seems to be working!
Bill the Cat/Opus the Penguin 2012
Phine .. I suggest an alternative as to why Clinton lost. You have to remember we were tired of dynasty presidential candidates after Bush, and Clinton was too representative of old school vs. new. I would have voted for Hillary against almost any other male except Obama. So I think Hillary lost not because she was a woman, but because Obama represented a new era.
Excellent point, Red. But, deep down, I bet ya there was some male bias in there!
x
Notice that nobody in the Republican Party tried this maneuver on Gov. Palin. Despite her ah, intellectual pretensions (or lack thereof), Caribou Barbie *can* lock and load. Oh, to send some of the people on my list on a hunting expedition with Gov. Palin and VP Cheney...(I know, bad of me. Just to be bipartisan, Sen. Ted Kennedy can drive them all out to camp).
Yes, I'm a sick person. And it's been a long weekend already. <G>
Perky,
A nice, stiff drink cures all ills. (And makes a great excuse for great comments like that. Wish I had thought of it!)
They all have pretty good aim didn't they? ;-0)
Michelle's underlying problem was that the wacky vote was her base. Problem was that as you disaggregate the wacky vote, you find many different kinds of bigotry in the fundamentalist tent.
I'll shout amen to that!
The secret to winning an election is to get people of lots of different beliefs to support you, and Bachmann doesn't get that. It's a game of numbers, Michelle.
If you want everyone to look, think and act just like you do, American is not the place for you.