The headline at most websites covering Carly Fiorina’s campaign today is that Planned Parenthood protesters threw condoms at Fiorina, via ABC13 in Iowa:
Planned Parenthood protesters threw condoms at Carly Fiorina today while she campaigned at a tailgate party for the Iowa Hawkeyes.The protesters, some of whom were affiliated with the women’s health group and others who were supporters, were dressed in pink and waved pink pom-poms as they followed the Republican presidential candidate around the tailgate, chanting “Carly Fiorina offsides for telling lies” and “women are watching and we vote.”
Expect to see more such Code Pink-style tactics against Fiorina.
But to me the more interesting story is how Fiorina faced down a woman who confronted her face-to-face, via CNN:
On Saturday, activist and 40-year Planned Parenthood patient Cindy Shireman, 54, challenged Fiorina for her comments about the organization.”How can you, as a woman, not support our health care?” Shireman asked.”Oh, I support your health care. I don’t support the butchering of babies. And you should go look at those videos,” Fiorina replied.Shireman said she had seen the videos and Fiorina fired back forcefully.”I understand we may disagree on things. You need to ask yourself some questions. Why is it that fetuses are aborted alive to butcher their brains? Why? You ought to also ask, you should look at some facts. How much money does Planned Parenthood give to Democrat candidates? This a big political rig,” Fiorina said, jabbing her finger in Shireman’s face.At the end of the heated back-and-forth argument, Fiorina told Shireman to get her facts straight.
Fiorina facing down the protester reminds me of when Ted Cruz did a similar thing to a Code Pink protester over the Iran nuclear deal.
Republicans want someone who will fight, and will overlook some policy differences or past policies infractions to get a fighter. That in part explains the Trump phenomenon, and it explains Ted Cruz’s popularity (with him you get the fight without the policy problems).
Fiorina is rising because she shows fight. Today was a good day for her campaign.
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