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On Politics With Lisa Lerer: ‘I Found My Voice’ On Politics With Lisa Lerer: ‘I Found My Voice’
(35 minutes later)
Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host.Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. I’m Lisa Lerer, your host.
[Get On Politics delivered to your inbox.]
Man, it has been a week.Man, it has been a week.
We knew on Sunday, when The Washington Post dropped the first story about Christine Blasey Ford, that we would be in for a whirlwind. We’re still waiting for the final word on if (and when) Dr. Blasey may testify.We knew on Sunday, when The Washington Post dropped the first story about Christine Blasey Ford, that we would be in for a whirlwind. We’re still waiting for the final word on if (and when) Dr. Blasey may testify.
We’re also waiting to see if President Trump responds to the news that his deputy attorney general may have secretly recorded him in the White House. We’re also waiting to see if President Trump responds to the news that his deputy attorney general suggested secretly recording him in the White House.
But it’s Friday (finally!), and these stories will be with us all next week. So let’s talk about something else.But it’s Friday (finally!), and these stories will be with us all next week. So let’s talk about something else.
Let’s talk about you.Let’s talk about you.
We got so many thought-provoking responses to our letter about the wave of female activism in politics that I couldn’t resist sharing some.We got so many thought-provoking responses to our letter about the wave of female activism in politics that I couldn’t resist sharing some.
For Sue B. Mullins, a former Republican state representative from Iowa, our post prompted her to recount the moment she decided to run for office in the 1980s.For Sue B. Mullins, a former Republican state representative from Iowa, our post prompted her to recount the moment she decided to run for office in the 1980s.
“The ‘influential party’ men came into our living room and stated why they believed that it was important for my husband to run in the Iowa House race. Jim and I listened and he responded, ‘I have no interest. But I know a fantastic person, who is … my wife.’ The party leaders were appalled. But I ran, anyway. With a teensy campaign budget, enthusiastic volunteers and occasional self doubt. We won. Five times.”“The ‘influential party’ men came into our living room and stated why they believed that it was important for my husband to run in the Iowa House race. Jim and I listened and he responded, ‘I have no interest. But I know a fantastic person, who is … my wife.’ The party leaders were appalled. But I ran, anyway. With a teensy campaign budget, enthusiastic volunteers and occasional self doubt. We won. Five times.”
Robert Thompson, 78, a former businessman who grew up with “eight magnificent sisters,” had this to say:Robert Thompson, 78, a former businessman who grew up with “eight magnificent sisters,” had this to say:
“My dad used to say, ‘If you want to get something done give it to a busy man.’ I am his son and I would say, ‘If you want to get something done give it to a woman.’”“My dad used to say, ‘If you want to get something done give it to a busy man.’ I am his son and I would say, ‘If you want to get something done give it to a woman.’”
Sandy Sims said:Sandy Sims said:
“It is about time that women kick those guys out and bring in young progressive women who know what all women need to make life easier and better for all. I can’t wait for the blue and pink wave. Hey guys, it is only a matter of time!!! We outlive you!!!!”“It is about time that women kick those guys out and bring in young progressive women who know what all women need to make life easier and better for all. I can’t wait for the blue and pink wave. Hey guys, it is only a matter of time!!! We outlive you!!!!”
Randall Barkan sent in this classically Californian take from the West Coast:Randall Barkan sent in this classically Californian take from the West Coast:
“I live in San Francisco. Our mayor is a woman (of color). My congressional representative is a woman, and has been for over 20 years. My two senators are women (one of color), and we have had two women senators for 25 years. So this is no big deal for us. We are, however, glad to see the rest of the country coming around.”“I live in San Francisco. Our mayor is a woman (of color). My congressional representative is a woman, and has been for over 20 years. My two senators are women (one of color), and we have had two women senators for 25 years. So this is no big deal for us. We are, however, glad to see the rest of the country coming around.”
Of course, not everyone agreed: Jim McPeak thinks we’ve got it all wrong.Of course, not everyone agreed: Jim McPeak thinks we’ve got it all wrong.
“You’re way behind the curve. The facts are, most men that vote don’t care if the candidate is a man or a woman, only the policies.”“You’re way behind the curve. The facts are, most men that vote don’t care if the candidate is a man or a woman, only the policies.”
And Paul Lillebo of Asheville, N.C, says gender doesn’t factor into his vote.And Paul Lillebo of Asheville, N.C, says gender doesn’t factor into his vote.
“It hasn’t changed my outlook at all, and I don’t think it should. I have voted for men and women for over 50 years, irrespective of their sex. I’m sorry to see some candidates actually making it an issue. Phrases like ‘representation of women in Congress’ are not helpful. No member of Congress is there to represent a sex.”“It hasn’t changed my outlook at all, and I don’t think it should. I have voted for men and women for over 50 years, irrespective of their sex. I’m sorry to see some candidates actually making it an issue. Phrases like ‘representation of women in Congress’ are not helpful. No member of Congress is there to represent a sex.”
But perhaps the most common response we saw was from women like Katherine Schowalter of Eastchester, N.Y., who had been interested in activism for years but never got involved herself. Now, that has changed.But perhaps the most common response we saw was from women like Katherine Schowalter of Eastchester, N.Y., who had been interested in activism for years but never got involved herself. Now, that has changed.
“In the last few years I have participated in numerous marches, have canvassed and phone-banked for candidates, all women. Feel like I found my voice.”“In the last few years I have participated in numerous marches, have canvassed and phone-banked for candidates, all women. Feel like I found my voice.”
Responses have been edited for clarity. Special thanks to Margaret Kramer, our news assistant, who helped us organize all of your messages (and you sent a lot!). As always, you can write to us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.Responses have been edited for clarity. Special thanks to Margaret Kramer, our news assistant, who helped us organize all of your messages (and you sent a lot!). As always, you can write to us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.
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Every so often, we like to tap the brain of our national political correspondent Jonathan Martin. No one knows political trivia — or where to find the best nosh on the campaign trail — better. This week, he sent us this:Every so often, we like to tap the brain of our national political correspondent Jonathan Martin. No one knows political trivia — or where to find the best nosh on the campaign trail — better. This week, he sent us this:
With President Trump in Missouri tonight, I have the Show Me State on my mind. And while I do love the toasted raviolis on The Hill in St. Louis, I really enjoy getting to Kansas City.With President Trump in Missouri tonight, I have the Show Me State on my mind. And while I do love the toasted raviolis on The Hill in St. Louis, I really enjoy getting to Kansas City.
For those keeping score at home, the Missouri side of Kansas City is the Fifth Congressional District. It is currently held by Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a pastor and former mayor.For those keeping score at home, the Missouri side of Kansas City is the Fifth Congressional District. It is currently held by Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a pastor and former mayor.
It is not really a competitive seat. Mr. Cleaver is something of a local institution and (already!) has a road named after him. But surrounding Jackson County is crucial to statewide elections — you can expect Senator Claire McCaskill and her Republican rival, Josh Hawley, to spend much time there this year.It is not really a competitive seat. Mr. Cleaver is something of a local institution and (already!) has a road named after him. But surrounding Jackson County is crucial to statewide elections — you can expect Senator Claire McCaskill and her Republican rival, Josh Hawley, to spend much time there this year.
But enough about politics; K.C. is a great food town. Indeed, it is one of the holy sites of America’s true (culinary) faith: BBQ.But enough about politics; K.C. is a great food town. Indeed, it is one of the holy sites of America’s true (culinary) faith: BBQ.
Yes, if you have not been before, you should hit Arthur Bryant’s. Read Calvin Trillin’s famous homage. Get the burnt ends. Snap a few photos for the Instagram feed.Yes, if you have not been before, you should hit Arthur Bryant’s. Read Calvin Trillin’s famous homage. Get the burnt ends. Snap a few photos for the Instagram feed.
But the truly devout will want to see seek out a higher order of meat. I really like the brisket sandwich at LC’s. Some people swear by Gates or Jack Stack. They are fine.But the truly devout will want to see seek out a higher order of meat. I really like the brisket sandwich at LC’s. Some people swear by Gates or Jack Stack. They are fine.
But here is the bad news for all of our Missouri folks: The best BBQ in K.C. may well be across the state line. Yes, it is a gas station, but that only adds to the charm. Get those ribs at Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City, Kan., and you’ll believe.But here is the bad news for all of our Missouri folks: The best BBQ in K.C. may well be across the state line. Yes, it is a gas station, but that only adds to the charm. Get those ribs at Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City, Kan., and you’ll believe.
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This week, our colleagues published a must-read project on the areas where control of the House will be decided. One of the things that struck us about the story (besides the art, which is worth the click alone) was the unique way it organized the electoral map, based on demographics, geography and history.This week, our colleagues published a must-read project on the areas where control of the House will be decided. One of the things that struck us about the story (besides the art, which is worth the click alone) was the unique way it organized the electoral map, based on demographics, geography and history.
Alex Burns, the reporter who led the project, told us that he wanted to help readers answer two questions: What’s happening in the battle for control of Congress? And once it’s over, what did it all mean?Alex Burns, the reporter who led the project, told us that he wanted to help readers answer two questions: What’s happening in the battle for control of Congress? And once it’s over, what did it all mean?
So, what is happening? What do the results tell us about the midterms?So, what is happening? What do the results tell us about the midterms?
“Personally, I came away from the project convinced that the Outer Suburbs category may be the most dynamic one to watch over the next seven weeks,” Alex said.“Personally, I came away from the project convinced that the Outer Suburbs category may be the most dynamic one to watch over the next seven weeks,” Alex said.
(Included in that group are once-reliably conservative seats where centrist Democrats are seeking upsets, such as Little Rock, Ark.; the eastern edge of Washington State; and most of the Jersey Shore.)(Included in that group are once-reliably conservative seats where centrist Democrats are seeking upsets, such as Little Rock, Ark.; the eastern edge of Washington State; and most of the Jersey Shore.)
“These districts might be the difference between a very narrow Democratic victory or loss, and a more muscular breakthrough for the party.”“These districts might be the difference between a very narrow Democratic victory or loss, and a more muscular breakthrough for the party.”
Looking ahead, he added, what happens in the different regions in November could offer hints as to how the Democrats approach the next presidential election.Looking ahead, he added, what happens in the different regions in November could offer hints as to how the Democrats approach the next presidential election.
“A Democratic Party that runs up big gains in educated, predominantly white suburbs, in areas like Illinois and Ohio, is going to approach 2020 differently than a Democratic Party that wins by reclaiming the parts of rural America that used to lean toward the party, in places like Maine and West Virginia.”“A Democratic Party that runs up big gains in educated, predominantly white suburbs, in areas like Illinois and Ohio, is going to approach 2020 differently than a Democratic Party that wins by reclaiming the parts of rural America that used to lean toward the party, in places like Maine and West Virginia.”
See the project for yourself here.See the project for yourself here.
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• Research shows that in most American cities, murders rise and fall with the temperature. So what does that mean for climate change? Read the story here.• Research shows that in most American cities, murders rise and fall with the temperature. So what does that mean for climate change? Read the story here.
• A conservation group is trying to restore rain forests destroyed by logging. Step one: Save the hummingbirds. Read about them here.• A conservation group is trying to restore rain forests destroyed by logging. Step one: Save the hummingbirds. Read about them here.
• In 2006, a teenager in Texas told the authorities she had been raped. No one was charged, and the girl left town. A decade later, a Washington Post reporter, who had been in the grade below her, set out to find the truth. Read her story.• In 2006, a teenager in Texas told the authorities she had been raped. No one was charged, and the girl left town. A decade later, a Washington Post reporter, who had been in the grade below her, set out to find the truth. Read her story.
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Did meeting with President Trump tank this hoagie chain? Or was it too much growth, too fast? RIP seasonal risotto balls!Did meeting with President Trump tank this hoagie chain? Or was it too much growth, too fast? RIP seasonal risotto balls!
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Isabella Grullón Paz and Margaret Kramer contributed to this newsletter.Isabella Grullón Paz and Margaret Kramer contributed to this newsletter.
Thanks for reading. Politics is more than what goes on inside the White House. On Politics brings you the people, issues and ideas reshaping our world.Thanks for reading. Politics is more than what goes on inside the White House. On Politics brings you the people, issues and ideas reshaping our world.
Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.