Sunday, December 20, 2009

Not Under the Bus (by Liz)

Poor Erika Smith, the aide to Congressman Bart Stupak, who sent an email to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Right to Life, the Family Research Council and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's office in attempt to derail the Nelson abortion compromise. Yesterday, Politico obtained Smith's email, which read, "Guys - when will we see your letters of opposition to the managers amendment?? We need them ASAP!”

Later in the day Stupak claimed he had nothing to do with the email exchange. From his website, "Earlier today an unauthorized email from a member of my staff was sent to interested parties. I was unaware of this email and it was sent without my knowledge or approval."

Now that Smith has been thrown under the bus by her boss, perhaps she should check out "Not Under The Bus," a project by the Women's Media Center. Not Under the Bus is "a platform for a unified media message that supports and defends women’s rights in the national health care reform debate." It is also "a call to action to keep women safe and treat them with respect and dignity."

What do you say Ms. Smith? Are you ready for that?