A Quiet Moment

Last night, at the Murphy election night party at Lake Monster, it had gotten late and Patrick and Beatrix decided they had better leave.

And they were leaving just as Erin Murphy and Erin Maye Quade were arriving. Patrick gave them hugs and told them to keep their chins up. And then Beatrix gave Erin Murphy a big hug — and Erin leaned over and looked her straight in the eye and said "I BELIEVE in you." And it was quiet for  minute at the edge of the parking lot and then the chants of "Erin, Erin!" started and they walked on to the event and Patrick and Beatrix went home and I stayed and cried.

Look, I'll rally and support Walz. He's not a bad guy. Compared to Johnson, he's basically a super-hero. But hear me out...

Last night, people once again said that it was fine to have a woman in the senate or as a representative. But when it came down to electing a woman as their actual leader, that they just couldn't do it. I heard so many people say that they more strongly believed in Erin, but they voted Walz because he was "more electable." And I want you to just sit with that a minute and tell me what you think that phrase means.

Because I believe in Beatrix too. And Erin Murphy. And me. And a lot of other women. And I'm not so sure right now that you do.

Comments

Unknown said…
Yes, today I'm sad about losing Erin as a choice, but Tim now has to reach out to those who were left behind to assure the widest margin of victory in November. Look to Lincoln's example of his Team of Rivals...
August 15, 2018 at 8:19 AM
Jen k said…
Bethany, Hear hear. I’m tired of women not being enough.
August 15, 2018 at 12:03 PM
Anonymous said…
I am just an outsider looking in so....a few thoughts. Anyone who believes that a woman should be elected just because she's a woman is wrong. Additionally, anyone who doesn't vote for a woman, just because she's a woman is also wrong. You claim that you heard people say that they believed in her but voted Walz because he was more "electable"....that is a HUGE problem and only proves that the party faithful are only concerned with winning and do NOT place any value in what Erin Murphy stood for. As a conservative I vote my conscience and give the nod to who I believe will best represent me and my family when it comes to my beliefs, vision and values regardless of color, race, religion or gender. I do NOT vote with my emotions or vote for someone just because they are white/black/hispanic/asian etc and I could care less if it's a woman or a man. I also have another strike against me, I'm a [conservative] minority living in Minnesota (one of the most liberal states in the union). So I've had more than my share of losses when it comes to politics (except the presidential campaigns) but I continue to vote with my conscience. It's how I sleep at night. Doing otherwise would be unethical, go against my beliefs and compromise my integrity.... and I don't want to be known as a hypocrite. SO,,,,hopefully your friends will "change" their views and behavior at the polls and start voting for those who share their values and beliefs (man or woman) only then will you have a stronger base and get the kind of change that you really want, with the individuals you want representing you. A final note, I see you'll rally and vote for Walz in the general....again, if he is YOUR guy and will best represent you (based on your beliefs and values) then I say, right on. If however, you're just gonna vote for him because you want to "feel" like a winner in November then, shame on you. I'll be watching.
August 15, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Mary Chesney said…
Your blog post captures what many of us are thinking today. I'll eventually get on board and of course vote for Tim Walz for Governor. However, today I'm taking time to reflect on a troubling fact. The MN DFL has been completely unable to get a highly talented, qualified, brilliant woman or person other than a white, straight man across the finish line for nomination to the top executive office in the state. During the past two endorsement cycles for Governor, two women who earned DFL endorsement met challenges by white guys in the primary. For all of Minnesota's pride in being a progressive state, we haven't evolved very much in our political nomination process. I, too, am so tired of hearing people talk about "electability" , which I believe is code for "white-privileged straight men". I think many use the term electability to protect the status quo and support what's always worked in the past. If DFL members hold tight to this interpretation of electability, we will never see a woman, a member of the LGBTQIA community, or person of color nominated for MN Governor. Seriously, DFLers, we need to take a deep dive into this issue and figure a new progressive, inclusive path forward.
August 15, 2018 at 8:25 PM
bethanyg said…
Anonymous - I wish you had shared openly since I don't know who you are (so not sure how you'll be watching, but whatever). I DO care about getting POC and women and GLBTQ and non-binary people into office, because I really do believe that diversity makes our society stronger — and provides role models for people to emulate and increase that diversity exponentially. That is my way of "best representing my family when it comes to my beliefs, vision, and values." Walz shares many of them, certainly more than Johnson. I think in our mutual desire to be true to our values and avoid hypocrisy there's a lot more similarity than difference.
August 15, 2018 at 10:37 PM
Unknown said…
I don't see anyone (so far) addressing the main point I've heard articulated about Erin versus Tim in regards to 'elect-ability'. It has nothing to do with gender.
Many, many on Facebook posts point to the fact that the Erin-Erin ticket was entirely urban (as in, no "out-state" candidate). I saw one person form the convention say it felt like a "big middle finger" to outstate MN when Murphy chose Quade as running mate. If Erin Murphy and team had considered that aspect it would have been an entirely different dynamic. Now Walz-Flanagan meets both the in-Twin-Cities/Out-state match, while both have teaching in their pasts - seem a perfect pair to me. Gender cannot be the 'single-issue' we vote on, while ignoring many others. That's how #45 got in, I believe. I think the south votes Anti-Choice ("pro-life" they call it, but we know *that's* a joke) Out-state people get gypped all the time (I live in STP, BTW). It's a basic truth that the DFL cannot afford to ignore.
August 18, 2018 at 3:03 PM
bethanyg said…
Unknown, I posted your comment but I don't respect that you didn't identify yourself to discuss it.
August 24, 2018 at 6:34 PM
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