November 2008 |  From the desk of Kelli Conlin, President
Over the last few months we've experienced hope, anticipation, exhaustion, and finally jubilation. We have much to be thankful for this year. First and foremost, we are thankful for the events of November 4. In the course of one fateful day, we stood up and chose Barack Obama to be the 44th President of the United States. That sweeping call for change was echoed in New York State, where for the first time in over 40 years, New Yorkers elected a Democratic majority to the State Senate, so a pro-choice leadership will take over. Election Day for NARAL Pro-Choice New York was a flurry of enthusiasm - one of the most exhilarating days in the history of the organization. I am thankful for our staff, who committed whole-heartedly to doing everything possible to deliver pro-choice political change. I am thankful for our Board, whose guidance throughout this process helped clear a path to victory. Most of all, I am thankful for you, whose volunteer hours and financial support made it possible for us to elect so many pro-choice candidates. Our celebration is well deserved - and a welcome change from other recent elections! But in the midst of it, we realize our victories do not make us invincible, and much of the harm of the past eight years remains to be undone. President Bush is working to push through detrimental midnight regulations, and anti-choice extremists will surely use this time to garner energy for the next round. We emerge from this election with a mandate, but one that still must be realized. For Choice,
Kelli Conlin |
A Whole New World We woke up on November 5 to a whole new world. A world we all helped create. In our own corner of the world, we finally penetrated the fortress of conservatism that was the New York State Senate! Anti-choice titans Senators Caesar Trunzo and Serphin Maltese were brought down by pro-choice Senators-elect Brian Foley and Joseph Addabbo. For the first time in over 40 years, we gained pro-choice leadership in the State Senate! NARAL Pro-Choice New York committed our energy, our resources, and ourselves to elect pro-choice candidates to all levels of public office. Thank you for being a part of our efforts as we: Operated phone banks throughout September, October, and November; Led busloads of volunteers to Pennsylvania to canvass for Barack Obama and local pro-choice candidates; Informed nearly 60,000 New Yorkers about our pro-choice picks for office via our Online Voter Guide; Sent 100,000 direct mail pieces to Rochester, Long Island, and Queens in support of pro-choice State Senate candidates; Ran television commercials in support of endorsed State Senate candidates; Sent NARAL Pro-Choice New York staff members to work directly in campaigns in Buffalo, Long Island, Rochester, and Queens; Distributed tens of thousands of dollars worth of PAC contributions to pro-choice candidates in New York State.
And for all those months of toil and anticipation, how sweet the victory was - of the 163 candidates we endorsed for State Senate, State Assembly, Congress, and the Presidency, 139 were victorious!
Giving Thanks for the Pro-Choice SMACKDOWN We have SO MUCH to be thankful for. And this year, we really mean it. The last few elections have left us a little... deflated. But now we remember that yes, losing might build character, but winning is better. Way better. And so we give thanks. We're thankful that we can now begin to undo the damage of the last eight years of anti-choice policies. We're thankful that next year it will be President Obama pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey. We're thankful that we picked up five pro-choice U.S. senators and 20 pro-choice U.S. representatives. We're thankful that insidious ballot measures in Colorado, South Dakota, and California were rejected by the voters of those states. We're thankful that the anti-choice, anti-woman agenda was unilaterally denied. But just as too much turkey can send us into a tryptophan-induced food coma, we can't let our excitement cloud our need to protect reproductive rights. If the past is any indication, current events will likely motivate anti-choice activists to radical action. That's why we also thank the New York City Council members who have recently supported the newly proposed Clinic Access Bill (Proposed Int. 826), which will strengthen the prohibition on harassment at reproductive health care clinics in New York City. Although we achieved a pro-choice smackdown on November 4, the real work is just beginning. So to all the people out there who voted for pro-choice political change, and to all the officials willing to take up that mantel, THANKS!
Post-Thanksgiving Event If you've mentally already moved past Thanksgiving and are looking for something to do next Monday, NARAL Pro-Choice New York is co-sponsoring an exciting event at Hunter College in Manhattan. Join us for a discussion with two dynamic women leaders: Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Representative from New York's 14th District. The discussion will be moderated by journalist Lynn Sherr. Monday, December 1, 6:00 pm Hunter College, The Kaye Playhouse (East 68th St. between Park and Lexington Aves.) Book signing and reception to follow $30 admission includes a copy of both speakers' books For tickets call 212-772-4448 Thanksgiving Recipes, Courtesy of the 2008 Campaign The long season of campaigning is over, but you don't have to let your family holidays succumb to campaign withdrawal. Revive all the excitement - and dinner table tension - of the past year's political campaigns with these Thanksgiving dinner ideas inspired by the colorful characters of the 2008 campaign. The Obama:
In honor of the president-elect's reputation for gastronomic asceticism, we suggest this low-fat, low-sodium steamed turkey recipe. Let it reflect a wholesome new perspective after eight years of unhealthiness.  The Hillary:
N/A - Bill's in charge of dinner this year. Hillary's been busy.  The Kucinich:
Dennis Kucinich is making room for you vegans at the Thanksgiving table. He'd want you to enjoy the progressive victories with a nice Tofurkey. Kucinich is also said to enjoy foods that are tan in color - so perhaps serve with a nice side of... porridge? The Palin:
Wash it all down with a Six-Pack of Bud. The economy's tanking so there's no money for the perfect Pinot anyway. Plus, ever since Joe the Plumber arrived on the scene, it's like we've forgotten all about poor Joe Six-Pack
| A Few Choice Words Staff | Tara Sweeney, Writer
Mary Alice Carr, Editor |
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! |
