From Emily Bittner, DCCC: “Steve Southerland’s latest jaw-dropping gambit to appeal to women: demean and ridicule us by claiming a ‘lingerie party defense.’ After lying about his vote opposing the Violence Against Women Act and holding a men’s-only fundraiser straight from the 12th century, this is a new low.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
In Southerland-Graham race, the subject turns to lingerie
Tampa Bay Times
By Steve Bousquet
September 12, 2014
Florida Democrats tried to blunt the impact of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s visit by labeling him anti-women along with Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland of Panama City, who also joined Scott’s tax cut bus tour across the Panhandle. With polls showing a gender gap in the governor’s race that favors Charlie Crist, Democrats are trying to widen the gap by emphasizing Scott’s opposition to raising the minimum wage, equal pay for women and abortion rights.
“They’re going to do everything they can to avoid being in front of women voters. That’s why they’re going to Wakulla (County),” Democratic Party chairwoman Allison Tant told reporters on a conference call. (Scott and Christie headlined a Friday GOP rally at which a majority of the 200-or-so guests were women).
Tant also criticized Southerland for organizing a men only fund-raiser that has been widely criticized as sexist. The event included this on the invitations: “Tell the Misses not to wait up because the after dinner whiskey and cigars will be smooth & the issues to discuss are many.” Southerland faces a strong challenge from Democrat Gwen Graham, the daughter of former U.S. Sen. and Gov. Bob Graham.
Asked to respond to the Democrats’ criticism that he’s anti-women, Southerland laughed and said: “I live with five women. That’s all I’m saying. I live with five women. Listen: Has Gwen Graham ever been to a lingerie shower? Ask her. And how many men were there?”