Free Republic

President Obama Wednesday paid poignant tributes to the grandmother who raised him and his mother who died of cancer, at the launch of a high-level forum to advise him on women's issues. Obama also held up the life story of his wife and "rock" Michelle and the example of his foe turned ally, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as he signed an executive order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. The purpose of this Council is to ensure that American women and girls are treated fairly in all matters of public policy," Obama said. The council will...

It’s turning into Hypocrisy Watch Day here at FinkelBlog. Earlier, we noted John Kerry complaining that “partisan politics” had crept into the confirmation process for Obama nominees–despite having engaged in hardball tactics himself to block Bush nominees. Now it’s the president’s turn. Speaking at a “Women of Courage” event, Pres. Obama said “When women are more than half of our population but just 17% of our Congress . . . we need to ask ourselves some hard questions.” Your wish is my command, Mr. President. How’s this for a hard question? Are you proud of having used hardball tactics to...

President Obama will sign an executive order tomorrow to establish a White House Council on Women and Girls, according to an administration official familiar with the move. The Council will be chaired by Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser and personal friend to the president, and the day-to-day operations will be run Tina Tchen, who is currently director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and was a major fundraiser for Obama during the campaign. "The mission of the Council will be to provide a coordinated federal response to the challenges confronted by women and girls to ensure that all...

For the first time in several decades, the F word is back on the agenda. No, I don't mean that we are all debating the merits of yet another misogynistic chef, but that feminism is taking centre stage. The touch paper was lit by Ms magazine in the US when it placed Barack Obama on its latest cover. He was portrayed, Superman fashion, ripping off his shirt and tie to reveal a costume that said: 'This is what a feminist looks like.'