Elizabeth Edwards Criticizes Hillary Clinton (and irritates yours truly)

(Provided by The Associated Press)
NEW YORK (July 20) - Former President Clinton spoke out on behalf of his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, after Elizabeth Edwards criticized the Democratic front-runner for not being a strong advocate for women

"If you look at the record on women's issues, I defy you to find anybody who has run for office in recent history whose got a longer history of working for women, for families and children, than Hillary does," Bill Clinton said Thursday in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."

On Tuesday, in an interview published in the online magazine Salon, Elizabeth Edwards said that her husband John Edwards would be a more consistent champion for women if elected president."Keeping that door open to women is actually more a policy of John's than Hillary's," she said, suggesting the New York senator may be avoiding women's issues to "behave as a man."

Elizabeth Edwards said she sympathized with Clinton, who is running to be the first female president. She recalled the challenges she faced early in her career as a female lawyer and said she understood the pressures Clinton must feel."Sometimes you feel you have to behave as a man and not talk about women's issues. I'm sympathetic - she wants to be commander in chief," she said.

President Clinton disputed that contention."I don't think she's trying to be a man. I don't think it's inconsistent with being a woman that you can also be knowledgeable on military and security affairs and be strong when the occasion demands it."

I don't consider that being manly. I consider that being a leader," he said.Earlier this week a spokesman said the Senator's presidential campaign would have no comment on the remarks.

The interview wasn't the first time that Elizabeth Edwards has criticized Clinton. In October, she told an audience that her choices in life had made her happier than the New York senator. Edwards later apologized to Clinton, saying she thought her comments had been off the record.

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The Two Cents: Looking at all of the Presidential Candidates, Hillary Clinton is the one who puts the most time, energy and money into issues that affect women. I don't understand how Mrs.Edwards can make such a claim. I don't see the fruit of her husband's actions benefitting more than a select group of women. To sum it up into a little more organized fashion: If I were voting for the President based on their interest in the welfare of women, I would vote Hillary Clinton.

And excuse me: Mrs. Edwards, pardon my ignorance, but I'm not exactly sure as to what exactly you are doing, or have done to help the women of the world? I mean I did notice your work with Planned Parenthood, but uh- is there anything else? Have you been creating sexual assault hotlines in your spare time? How about women's crisis networks? Are you a strong activist for the rights of women? Have you been working alongside your husband to enhance the research for AIDS? Are you working on providing affordable accessible health care (so that women too, can have their physical and psychological illnesses treated)? Was your first job out of law school working at the Children's defense fund? I mean, you did go to law school, didn't you? Are you working to end violence against women (and their children) ? Are you working to insure than all Americans (not just men) are treated with respect and dignity? Have you been hard at work strengthening the middle class and making women visible in the work place? Are you leading the charge in the Senate to strengthen equal pay laws? Did you expand access to family planning services (or were just talking about planned parenthood)? Does your family planning services include low-income women? Did you speak out forcefully when the Supreme Court failed to recognize the importance of Women's health this year? Have you spoken out strongly against sex-trafficking, and supported the organizations that help victims of such crimes? Oh and one last question, Did you by any chance help found Vital Voices, a non-profit organization specifically designed for women and girls?

Well- Guess what, HILLARY would have answered all of the above with a 'Yes'. and...

Mrs. Edwards, when you have accomplished the above mentioned, feel free to criticize Mrs. Clinton. Until then, please-for your sake- keep your mouth shut.

love, jessieh

(and PS: Hillary doesn't have to act like a man, she is the man.)