MOMocrats™

GrandMOMocrat of the Year: Marian Robinson

Ok, I just have to stop and appreciate this woman for a minute. Ms. Marian Robinson is Michelle Obama's mother and mother-in-law to Senator Barack Obama. She's the one who gets the two Obama daughters off to school and picks them up and tucks them in at night when both Michelle and Barack are on the road campaigning. She, along with Mr. Robinson (now deceased), managed to raise two children who attended Princeton even though the Robinsons themselves never graduated from college.

I sometimes forget that like me, the Obamas have young children: theirs are a six year old and a nine year old. Major difference being, I can sit at home writing a thousand and one grant proposals for my work, and Senator Obama (with Mrs. Obama's help)? Oh, just out doing a little thing called RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE FREE WORLD.

I don't think you have to run for public office to get the difficulty of balancing work and life. As any parent knows, it's ALL ABOUT THE CHILDCARE. Aren't we MOMocrats figuring out what's for dinner at the same time as there's a work deadline of some kind, and then also trying to decide what should go into the birthday goodie bags and wondering how to get that last remaining item so the kid can complete his or her homework? (And then blogging about it somehow?)

Anyway, we all know how crucial it is to have a safety net--neighbors, relatives, friends, grandmas and grandpas--because inevitably one of the balls we juggle will fall. And I think it's remarkable how, since time began, some people are blessed to have a steel-spined grandma as the hub of their wheel. One who somehow raised up her own kids with a lot of starch, but seems to have softened with her grandkids.

The 8:30 bedtime? "That's ridiculous!" Robinson said. The TV-for-an-hour rule? "That's just not enough time," she said.
...
"I've heard [Michelle] say, 'Mom, what are you rolling your eyes at? You made us do the same thing,"' Robinson said. "I don't remember being that bad. It seems like she's just going overboard."

So here's to grandmas who help make things happen. What they have to offer is priceless in both senses of the word: lacking a measure of value in the public workplace that would do it justice; and something beyond measure: the wisdom, security, and love they provide that has no simple cash equivalent.

Cynematic's personal blog is P i l l o w b o o k. She's grateful for her mother and her mother-in-law, who take fabulous care of her son.

Go read it: Teaching your kids about the election

In her most recent post for BlogHer, Shannon of Rocks in My Dryer has some very sage words on how you can explain the election to your kids. 

This is something I've struggled with in my household. I have a hard time not referring to McCain as "that crazy-ass, racist warmonger." I try to be sensitive to the way I talk about issues because I know how influential I—as a mother—am. I try to present both sides fairly (despite how much I rant here). In fact, I am one of those parents who made a conscious choice not to slap a political onesie or t-shirt and on my kids and bring them to a protest, march or rally with me. Something about them not having a choice in the matter felt wrong to me, especially when they were tiny babes. (Though I will happily cart them around in a bike trailer and car that sport Edwards 08 stickers. So gofigyer. It's complicated.)

I hope we are raising them to share our values (and if they turn out to be Republicans I admit, I will be disappointed), but in the end, the decision on whom they will support for president when they are old enough to vote is theirs. We talk a lot about who is on the red team and who is on the blue and how close the "score" is. They are 3 and 5 so this seems age-appropriate. Bunny has decided that she is for both Hillary and Barack because "they both are on the blue team," while Wallie says she is "voting for Obama." I nod and smile and up until now haven't said a whole lot, which is why I am happy to have stumbled across Shannon's post. Great tips there.

Go read it.

Why Barack Obama will win

More than 500 people showed up at the opening of Obama State HQ in Portland, OR. They were there to sign up to volunteer. "...activists young and old, black and white, veteran and newcomer, Democratic and otherwise came to be part of the movement that’s going to change Oregon and the rest of this country."

Yes we can.

—Stefania/CityMama

Our Duty as Democrats From Now Until November:

To present clear, concise arguments as to why McCain would make a horrid president.  A president who could, quite possibly, make GWB's reign look like a picnic involving cold beer and delicious chicken salad.  (Or, you know, tofu salad, if you're not into the animals-for-lunch bit.)

We must constantly shed light on the reasons, the many, many reasons why John McCain would only further destroy our country, and we must ignore the media's bating us with its salacious gossipy tabloid frenzy regarding the doings of the Democratic party.  While it is vital to acknowledge true improprieties by any member of either party, the thing to keep in mind, at all times, is that the media uses these items to keep us distracted, and we cannot allow them to do so.  Not this time.  No amount of swift boating is going to work now.  Especially when the swift boating is being perpetrated by the mediatocracy itself.

Let's show the media the scariest possible scenario:  their power is not ebbing - it's ebbed.

Let's show 'em WE'RE the new media, and let's scare the bejeezus outta THEM:  let's get OUR candidate elected.

We can do this.

*

A quote from this piece just proves my point:

"[...] even News Corp Chairman Rupert Murdoch is hedging forecasts against worse conditions."

That's right, Rupert, old buddy.  And when your empire is in the crapper because you didn't see the blogging on the wall, you can cozy up to a piece of vintage newsprint straight outta Fox's boom era (oh, those halcyon days).  It's sure to help you sleep better at night.  (Well, that, and the Oxycontin you probably go halfsies on with Rush.)

California Democratic Convention: Who Wants to Be Governor of California?

On the first full day of the California Democratic Convention, I made my way into the big hall, bright green "INTERNET MEDIA" press pass dangling from my neck, wondering who was going to stop me and tell me that it was off-limits.  I thought as lowlife bloggers, we'd be shuttled into a windowless, cinderblock sideroom where we would watch the action from a portable Zenith black & white television set with rabbit ears.  Instead, I was told to go sit on a platform at the back of the room, with a great view of the stage, above he heads of the delegates in the crowd, right beside the TV news crews from CBS, CNN, and other major networks.  I found a seat in the back row of the blogger ghetto, and opened up my laptop.

As I was sitting there, about a half dozen or more people representing various causes and candidates came by to hand me literature, asking if I would write about their causes.  A guy with a firm handshake with the made-for-politics name of Joe Nation, candidate for State Senate, came by to talk to the bloggers. He said that he bought carbon off-sets to neutralize the entire Bay Area delegation's carbon footprint for the convention.  He seemed like a very nice guy, but one of the bloggers kicked him off the blogger platform and said that the area was for press only.

Step Aside, Little Lady.

Have to admit that today's Sunday show pundits made me mad. All along I've been a Hillary supporter out of loyalty to an idea to which I committed long before I heard the name Barack Obama. Even when the cool kids were caucusing for BO, and I was the solo applauder for Hillary at my neighborhood bar during the debate, I hung on as a Hillary supporter. I longed to move my support to the exciting candidate who would bring hope to the country. However, just like in third grade when my dorkey, pasty friend Brian was being ridiculed, I didn't walk away from him because I made a commitment to be his friend.

These past two months I listened to excited friends talk about BO and find myself wishing Hillary would walk out so I could joyfully join the side of hope. Today, though, when listening to the patronizing tone for Hillary to step out the race I became even more committed to hang in there for her. Would Paul Tsongas or John Kerry have been asked to withdraw from a race that has another three months left? The tone that it would be unladylike and too aggressive for her to stay in the race hit a sour note with me.

It's a political race.  Three months is a lifetime. Anything can happen. This cohesive male bonding to kick Hillary out of the race is unacceptable.  If she loses, fine. But, it's a contest and it's not over until it's over.

MOMocrats WTF of the week: Tom Ammiano needs a time out (to continue his bad metaphor)

From San Francisco Chronicle's Matier & Ross, SF Supervisor Tom Ammiano recently quipped:

"Gavin's situation kind of reminds me of that kids book, 'Heather Has Two Mommies. Only in this case, the moms are Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein - and they're pulling him in two different directions. What's a boy to do?"

This in regards to San Francisco's upcoming Olympic torch run.

Pelosi is calling for San Franciscans to speak out against China's human rights record and protest the torch, while Feinstein is urging restraint so as not to piss off the touchy Chinese government. Both, er, "mommies" are mentors of Newsom.

Now.

I have been sitting on this comment all day wondering if I was justified in being more than a little ticked that Ammiano was dismissing two very smart, very dedicated, extremely hardworking, long-standing public servants—one of whom is the Speaker of the House for crissakes—as "mommies." (Ew, breeders.) Lesbian mommies at that. Hardy har har. We know you used to be a stand-up comedian Tom, but that ain't funny.

It doesn't matter how you personally feel about Pelosi, Feinstein, or Newsom for that matter. This kind of characterization is disturbing.

And I am not saying that being a mom is something to be ashamed of: it isn't. I am proud to be a mom, mommy, mommyblogger, MOMocrat, you name it. In the right context being called a mom is a compliment. This is not that context.

Ammiano is likening Newsom—Mayor of San Francisco, and, last time I checked, a grown man— to a child that is being "pulled" (or is it "nagged," Tom?) to make a decision.

What's with all the patronizing, Tom? Referring to two Federal legislators as "mommies" in a twisted metaphor that is so creepy on so many levels I don't even know where to start?

I think an apology to Feinstein and Pelosi is in order. Anyone else who thinks so can let him know:

Supervisor Tom Ammiano
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689
(415) 554-5144 - voice
(415) 554-6255 - fax
Tom.Ammiano@sfgov.org

MOMocrats Founding Editor Stefania Pomponi Butler blogs CityMama and is very protective of Mayor McHottie.

Run, Mama, Run: Jackie Speier Running for Congress in Special Election Next Week

Imagine a great person, a principled woman, a dedicated mom in congress.  Yes, there are already a few of those, but we're very close to electing one more.  On April 8th, former California State Senator Jackie Speier may succeed to where she aimed nearly three decades ago, U.S. Congress.  Speier, shown left with me and my daughter, a resident of Hillsborough, California, the youngest woman elected to the San Mateo County supervisors, reportedly the first mom to breast feed in the California State Assembly (as a new widow), and a well-respected two-term state senator first ran for congress after a terrifying experience where her boss, then U.S. Congressman, Leo Ryan, was killed in front of her eyes.

This is a woman who I've had the privilege of seeing in action firsthand and whom I have admired for many years.  (Photo is from last year, taken on my phone of me, my daughter, and Senator Speier.)  People like her are rare, and our nation would be incredibly lucky to have her legislating on our behalf.  Due to a sad twist of fate, Senator Speier may become Congresswoman Speier in a special election next week.

For those not following this race, here's a great article that sums up much of what's going on, although the latest news is that Larry Lessig decided not to jump in.  I'm glad.  I've met him, I have friends who have worked with him, and I think he's an incredible person with a valiant mission, but he can make a difference in a variety of ways.  You couldn't interview a thousand people and find one better qualified for this role than Jackie Speier.  She's worked her whole life to get to this point.  She could do other jobs too or come at her work from another angle, but this is the best vehicle for her to serve the public good.

Go Read It: California Democratic Convention Thoughts and Photos

I posted my initial thoughts about the California Democratic Convention over on CityMama.  I've got some photos of people you might recognize there, too.

It was a tiring weekend and I've decided that I'm taking tomorrow as my Saturday. Hope the rest of the world doesn't mind.

MOMocrats Founding Editor Stefania Pomponi Butler blogs the irreverent and delicious CityMama, and walked around the convention with a bad head cold.

Elsewhere at the Convention

When Matt Lockshin of the California Democratic Party told the MOMocrats that we were welcome to bring our children with us while blogging our state convention, I had mixed feelings… because I knew that once I got here, I would spend more time being a mom than writing about politics.

I decided that the benefits of bringing my 12-year-old outweighed the hassles. She was already going to have memories of this historic Presidential election, and having the opportunity to witness a small part of history in the making will ensure that her memories will be special.

So yesterday morning, while a slate of rising stars and political legends like Jerry Brown, Gavin Newsom, , Judy Chu and Willie Brown were bringing the state Democrats to their feet, we were elsewhere: in the Marriott lobby, (where we had easy Internet access which allowed her to finish a school project) …

out in the hall (where the people hawking buttons and stickers were of a lot more interesting… prompting my kid to collect and wear as many as could fit on her jacket )...

and exploring the city of San Jose.

We got to see a part of the convention experience we never would have --- if we’d stayed in the ballroom, listening to speeches: