Republican Women in Congress Stand by Their Man

Tammy Wynette popularized the song “Stand by your Man.” The song came to life yesterday when the Republican women in Congress opted to stand behind Speaker Boehner despite the fact that a majority of Republican voters wanted him ousted. By standing behind an ineffective man, the little Republican ladies have shown an embarrassing lack of courage, especially those who profess to be conservative. Perhaps, the women belong at the country club instead of the halls of Congress. Not a single one of them were woman enough to stand behind the 25 Republican men who were bold enough to make a heroic effort to remove Speaker Boehner from Office.

In my opinion, the only heroines in Congress were two Democrat women, Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) and Gwen Graham (Fla), who were not afraid to buck their leadership. Of course, there is another view of what happened. Perhaps, the little ladies were showing themselves to be savvy politicians. In lifting their dainty little fingers to the wind, they had accurately calculated and weighed the cost of a failed attempt to remove a man who has already shown himself to be petty and vindictive. Within hours of the failed attempt to oust him, the non-contrite speaker had wiped away his tears and was busily punishing the legislators who voted their consciences and the will of the voters. How petty of Speaker Boehner; like an abusive husband or boyfriend to embrace the all to familiar low road and mete out punishment to those who dare challenge his ineffective leadership. The Tammy Wynette “Stand By Your Man” award goes to the 23 Republican women whose co-dependent behavior is not to be emulated.

Dr. Carol Swain is Professor of Political Science and Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University and the creator of Be the People TV’s YouTube Channel (www.YouTube.com/bethepeopletv) She can be contacted at bethepeopletv@gmail.com.