San Diego Mayor Bob Filner is joining a growing troop of Democratic politicians who kiss first and ask questions never, or who shoot (pictures of themselves) first and refuse to answer questions ever.
From now deceased Massachusetts Congressman Gerry Studs (D-MA) who slept with a minor and received censure from the House of Representatives, to President Bill "I did not do that to that woman" Clinton, to former New York Congressman and current mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner and his all too hot dog hot shots of himself, and now San Diego's current mayor, the Democratic Party has not borne down on its own members when they engage in perverse personal behavior.
Even though the Democratic Party has retained the supermajority for the first time in decades, their commitment to the best interests of California residents remains unclear or unreal to this day. Democrats have already lost a state senate seat in the Central Valley (Congratulations, Andy Vidak!), and challengers from the Republican Party are rising up to challenge Steve DeMaio’s unlikely Congressional reelection. For all of their problems, the party of women, minorities, and disparate interests is losing touch with reality.
The Filner affair is not so much about the transgressions of human nature in and of themselves. Republicans and Democrats in higher public office have engaged in personal indiscretions before, indiscriminate and egregious. Yet while Republicans who have transgressed come clean or leave office, the Democratic leaders get a pass or even a pat on the back. The rapidity in which Democratic leaders continue to stand by their men, even when they continue to conduct themselves inappropriately, is just disturbing. While Democrats love to point fingers at Republicans and conservatives in general who did not live perfectly by family values, the California Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee have some explaining of their own to do. How can they claim to care about the woman vote or a woman's right to choose when they dismiss or diminish the frequent report that a woman's plea of "No!" was ignored?
For a party which claims to champions women's rights, for a political interest which claims to care about a woman's right to choose, why do party leaders like Governor Jerry Brown, or Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles/South Bay) and especially President Barack Obama say nothing regarding San Diego mayor Bob Filner's unfit conduct?
Just a reminder for anyone in California or in the country who is not up to speed on Filner's follies:
As recently as July 15, four victims came forward claiming that the San Diego Mayor made unwanted advances and touched them inappropriately.
Within two weeks, Filner had admitted in a press conference that he made mistakes, that he engaged in inappropriate conduct with female staff and agreed to enter rehab. Even though he had not finished his treatment, he left earlier than expected.
The number of victims complaining about Filthy Filner jumped from eight over the next few weeks to eighteen in the past few hours, and these female staffers, including his former PR manager, have complained of his aggressive, unprofessional and immoral conduct towards women, describe his opprobrious misconduct as the "Filner Headlock" or "The Filner Dance", in which he would isolate women then attempt to take advantage of them.
Filner still has refused to resign, and Democratic leaders have remained silent, and only now have Democratic leaders even discussed drawing up a resolution for Filner to flee. The double-standard of silence and secrecy is deafening and without defense. Republicans have begun mounting a vigorous recall effort, and this past weekend called for Republicans, conservatives, and disaffected Democrats (whose numbers will grow if Filner continues to remain in office) to recall Filner
Democrats jumped up and down about Missouri Congressman Todd Akin for speaking on behalf of the unborn. They hammered Mitt Romney because he wanted every to be able to get a job. US Senator Liz Warren played the "War on Women" card in order to sink her opponent bipartisan Scott Brown. The Democratic Party in general castigates Republicans as "anti-woman" and anti-choice."
Yet Democrats still stand by a man who demeans and abuses women, and who refused to let them choose to be left alone.
I applaud every San Diego resident, both Democrat and Republican, as well as independents, for stepping up and demanding that Filner step down. Even the San Diego Union-Tribune has trumpeted their disapproval and expect the embattled and burdensome mayor to leave office.
As long as Filner remains in office, he merely sends the message to his city and this state that elected officials are not accountable for their actions, whether in private with coworkers as well as before the public whom they swear to serve. Every California voter should voice their disapproval with this man.
It’s time to flee, filthy Filner, and end the Democratic War on Women which you are waging!