Mass. State Senate President Therese Murray Responds to EMILY's List Criticism

In the interest of furthering debate and examination of key political issues, below is a response from Massachusetts state Senate President Therese Murray to an article by Jill Lawrence that questioned the support EMILY's List gave Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts special Senate election won by Scott Brown.

Much has been said about the special election in Massachusetts. Yes, it was a blow to health care reform and a disappointment to Democrats both nationally and locally. There's a variety of reasons that will continue to be debated about the loss, but Jill Lawrence, in a recent article ("Did Ellen Malcolm (Accidentally) Help Elect Scott Brown?" January 24, 2010) could not be more wrong in looking at EMILY's List as the place to lay blame.

As an elected official, and a woman, I respect and support the mission of EMILY's List. They are selective in the candidates they endorse, looking for progressive women who have shown both the skill and drive to win. Martha Coakley was a proven winner, was 19 points ahead in polls before the holidays, and had shown her ability to raise the kind of money needed to be competitive. This is exactly the kind of candidate EMILY's List should and, I hope, will continue to support.

EMILY's List has changed the face of power in Washington, D.C. Without Ellen Malcolm and the tens of thousands who support the organization she created, we would not have the record number of women senators we have today and Nancy Pelosi would be presiding over a House of Representatives that looks a lot less representative of our country than it does now.

No, EMILY's List cannot and will not win them all. But with EMILY's List, as least women have the opportunity for victory. That makes them winners in my book.