Shelley Mandell, president of the Los Angeles, California chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), appeared with Governor Sarah Palin this weekend to endorse her for Vice President of the United States. A lifetime Democrat and abortion rights activist, Mandell said of Sarah Palin: “This is what a feminist looks like!” Palin responded to the invitation by thanking the NOW president and cautiously quoting Madeline Albright’s comment: “There’s a place in Hell reserved for women who don’t support other women.”
“Now, make no mistake: I’m a lifelong Democrat. I don’t agree — gotta tell ya — I don’t agree with Gov. Palin on several issues. Hey, she’s gonna work on persuading John McCain on ANWAR; I’m gonna to try persuading her of things of my own. But, but, I know Sarah Palin cares about women’s rights; she cares about equality; she cares about equal pay; and, as Vice President, she will fight for it. She cares about our children, and she cares about women’s lives. She’s an athlete, and she knows what Title IX did for girls like her [Gov. Palin says in background: ‘Absolutely. Thank you.’] Change much come to Washington, and Sarah Palin has what it takes to lead that charge. I believe she is courageous. I believe she has integrity. And I know that Sarah Palin is a reformer who will break up the old boy network, buck the system, and get Washington back on our side. And it is an honor to call her sister. [Gov. Palin says in background: ‘Thank you.’] America — this is what a feminist looks like — Gov. Sarah Palin.”