My Pro-Choice Pops

My dad dated a lovely woman who happened to be pro-life. Chad and I were visiting my dad and his lady (at that time) at Dad’s home in Charleston, WV over the holidays. In between bites of bacon-wrapped shrimp and sips of Sauvignon Blanc, they asked us about our biggest victories from the most recent cycle, our favorite clients, and our not so favorite clients.

We were extremely proud to have helped defeat the 20-week abortion ban in Colorado. For me personally, as a die-hard pro-choice woman, NARAL Pro-Choice America was one of my top favorite clients. 

Dad’s lady shrieked in horror and disgust that I was pro-choice, and immediately berated me about my choice. With a raised voice, spitting small pieces of shrimp, and tears rolling down her cheeks, she preached at me that a cookie was a cookie the moment anyone ever thought about baking cookies. 

After a deep breath, I looked at her and started to talk, but was abruptly cut off by...my dad. 

“Cartney is entitled to her opinion. If she wants an abortion, that’s her choice. [Insert lady’s name here], I’m proud to be Cartney’s father. I’m pro-choice, and I’ll stand behind her whatever she wants to do.” Don't even try to imagine her reaction - it was unfathomable. 

Men for choice. (Insert the biggest, proudest smile you can imagine here!) Not only am I lucky to have a strong, pro-choice Mom and a rock star pro-choice life partner in Chad, I have a proud, pro-choice Dad. 

That’s why, especially in light of the negativity Planned Parenthood and the pro-choice movement have received recently, it’s critical to donate to NARAL’s Men for Choice this year (and please make sure to tag that you were invited by Chad Gosselink). Please help Chad and I raise money for a cause we so passionately believe in - for a cause my dad so passionately believes in. Men for choice!!! I love you Dad!!!!!! 

My Thoughts Following Last Week's GOP Debate

Check out my thoughts on last week's first GOP debate in my interview with The Hill!

Democratic Divas Take Over Control Point Group

My firm, Control Point Group, was beyond thrilled to host the DNC’s Women’s Leadership Forum yesterday evening to get more young women involved in the WLF.

I had the fabulous honor of introducing Amy Dacey, the DNC’s Executive Director, who had spoken at WGR’s “Frontline Females Make It Happen” PACs, Politics, and Grassroots Conference last month on a rock star opening panel I helped coordinate. What a force she is!

It was beyond exhilarating to have esteemed Democratic divas, like Carol Pensky, Christine Bennett, Edda Collins Coleman, Anatasia Dellaccio, Jo Ousterhout, Shaundra Patterson-Strachan, Alfreda Robinson, Stephanie Schlatter, and of course, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, next to several new faces and just feel the energy and excitement about WLF and the upcoming 2016 cycle.

I must repeat my opening remarks in hopes that those of you who couldn’t make it yesterday will read this: While we all love investing in our wardrobes and closets, the most important investment we can make as women is by supporting women running for political office and investing in WLF. Those Jimmy Choo’s are going to have to wait, because we’re choosing to invest in our future by investing in women running for office and WLF.

Snowstorms, Shutdowns, and Chanel

Walking to my office this morning in my Chanel snow boots (I was surprised how prepared DC was for Snowstorm Octavia, although, it wasn’t what I had hoped), my mind was on the train derailment in my native state of West Virginia. With yet another water crisis on their hands, I remembered several mentions of Homeland Security during the first water crisis.

It’s outrageous that Speaker Boehner would allow funding for the Department of Homeland Security to lapse, however, the shutdown didn’t seem to hurt Republicans in November of 2014, so why not have another one? It does seem a bit counterintuitive for a high-ranking Republican to let funding for Homeland Security lapse when, in fact, it was a Republican President who established the Office of Homeland Security. Not to mention the fact that this shutdown threat comes in the midst of heightened security issues.

Nearly two months after Republicans gained control of Congress and no progress has been made to improve the lives of Americans. I hope voters will remember this… Unless they choose to keep drinking that contaminated water.