An all-star lineup of conservative women assembled Sunday at the RNC to discuss treatment of women in the media and swap war stories. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and Dana Loesch provided plenty of fire ("It's a badge of honor to be attacked by these people," Loesch declared of her liberal critics), and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley made a surprise appearance.
Rep. Marcia Blackburn, R-Tenn., shared tales from her first campaign, when a man in a diner in west Tennessee called her "little lady" and asked what "qualified" her to be in Congress.
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C., delicately suggested that lady lawmakers could use a bit more support from the men in their party.
"I love my male colleagues," Ellmers said. "They're wonderful. But if we don't speak up for ourselves, they're not always going to be looking to bring us in. They know it's very important, but they don't always know how to do that."
Author Katie Pavlich was more blunt.
"It would be nice if the men would defend the women a little bit," she said. "When Sarah Palin got attacked in 2008, John McCain threw her under the bus so quickly so he didn't have to take responsibility for his failing campaign."
Several attendees expressed disappointment to Yeas & Nays that the panel, put together by the Her New View initiative from Palladian View, did not produce a better turnout. Despite stimulating discussion and a cast of A-listers, only half of the seats were taken.
