Women Need More Muscle

Before my usual detractors jump off the deep end, notice these points were made by men. Fresh off my guest spot on Joy Cardin's show on WPR (yes, conservatives--I willingly dove into the raging waters of Public Radio) I thought I'd share some more of my observations on women in leadership positions.

I also found some quotes and articles relating directly to the ouster of Judy Robson by her democrat male colleagues. I found them very interesting as well as support material for my previous post that set some people on fire.

(Excerpt below is from Daily Cardinal--Madison newspaper--with the bold emphasis added by yours truly.)

Decker said the decision was not solely based on the budget process and that the Senate Democrats largely just wanted to redefine their message. He said his leadership style was “more to the point” than Robson’s and he brought a “stronger message.”

Robson spokesperson Josh Wescott said she was surprised and could not point to any single event that perhaps triggered the vote, which was actually proposed in a closed meeting of Democratic Senators Tuesday night immediately after the budget passed.

Wescott also said the leadership style of Decker may have affected the vote, which may have been as close as 10 to 8. “In her words, conveyed to me, there was a feeling among some in the caucus they decided to go with more muscle,” Wescott said.

UW-Madison Political Science Professor Charles Franklin said the fact the leadership challenge was a surprise might say something about Robson’s knowledge of her own caucus.

“She was faced with a revolution and didn’t even know they were passing out the torches,” Franklin said.

Note the use of the words "stronger" and "to the point" by Russ Decker, Judy's replacement. Or how about "go with more muscle?" Better yet are the ties to "revolution" and "passing out the torches." All words that invoke images of strength and battle; no images of olive branches and proverbial bridge building.

Instead of taking this event as an opportunity for self-evaluation, Judy has chosen to say that the men in her caucus were sexist and that they kicked her out because she was "too nice."

What? As a caller insightfully noted on this morning's show, isn't it sexist of her to infer that "nice" is something only women have ownership of? I don't know about you, but I know lots of "nice" guys.

No, Judy, what they saw was weakness. Weakness is certainly not inherently a woman or man thing, either. You can be "nice"-man or woman-and still be strong. Most times, that combination inspires respect; something all leaders need to be effective.

So, as a woman, I'm hoping for all womankind that Judy doesn't whine too long about how mean and sexist the guys in her caucus were. She could take this occurrence as an opportunity to be a positive example by accepting the criticism and carrying on with her head held high.

Like the guys do.