Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I Played the Gender Card

A Photo Essay

Martha Coakley


Yesterday was primary day here in Massachusetts. Even though I follow politics enough to be up to my nose in a health care debate that really stinks, I confess I haven't really been following the candidates in this race. I lazily took it for granted that even without my help my state would choose a good democratic candidate for senator to replace Ted Kennedy.

As primary day was nearing, I started listening to my friends discuss their choices. Among the people I heard from, it was a pretty even split between Mike Capuano and Martha Coakley. Folks who were voting for Capuano spoke of his experience and folks supporting Coakley spoke of her unwillingness to throw womens' health under the bus in any negotiations for health care reform.

As I walked into town to do several errands, I was that rare species: the undecided voter. I guess I was hoping, on my rounds to pay bills, I would run into friends who spoke with certainty about their choice and allow them to make up my mind for me. Surprisingly, I saw no one I know. What I did see was women. Every shop and city worker I encountered was a woman. I was reminded how few women there are in the Senate. That made up my mind. I voted for Martha Coakley to represent me.


Can I take your picture?


Do you mind if I take your picture?


She didn't want me to take her picture, unless she covered her face.


I'm not that fond of having my picture taken, either, but I'm trying to get over that.


They weren't sure if it was illegal to take their picture.


My friend Jacy and my daughters. Future senators? I hope so.







Peace.

Photograph of Martha Coakley found here.

6 comments:

smoke said...

that's a good picture of you

. . . i saved it

:)

Anonymous said...

wonderful photos, ina. :)

Marian said...

go ina! good reason in my book.

chicago dyke said...

that post is one of your best, woman. mondo nice job. mmm. feminism.

rt said...

That gets close to my calculus when deciding who would get my vote. I like what Capuano has done in the house and think he's great on civil liberty issues, better than Coakley would be. He's a progressive pit bull and we need that. Yet even he was willing to throw women under the bus with the Stupak amendment. Coakley won't and we need more people in gov't to act like women are full citizens worthy of equal protection under the law. And all too often, the only people who act like that *are* women!

Nancy Willing said...

uVery cheery post - top o the day to ya!