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Hoping to capitalize on the #MeToo movement, Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp ran a page-long “open letter” to her opponent in the upcoming mid-term elections. That’s nothing new. We’re seeing similar tactics around the country. What is new about this so-called open letter is that Heitkamp not only talked about women and girls who survived being sexually assaulted but she named them. That’s right. The letter ends with dozens of names of victims of sexual assault. There’s just one little problem: not only did Heitkamp run the ad without obtaining the women’s permission to use their names but apparently some of those named were not victims at all. The senator has issued an apology but it is too little and much too late for those women whose privacy has been violated.
Oops. that sure isn’t going to help the blue wave, especially not in one of the most hotly contested races in the country.
According to the New York Times, Heitkamp is “one of the Democrats’ most endangered incumbents.” So it isn’t any surprise she is doing anything and everything she can to hold onto her seat against her Republican opponent, Representative Kevin Cramer. Was this a classic instance of open mouth and inserting foot in an attempt to appease, or at least minimize, the backlash she’s faced from her constituents after voting against Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court?
The ad was supposed to be Heitkamp’s response to comments made by Cramer in an earlier interview in which he basically said the #MeToo movement was a “movement toward victimization.”
We are here to let you know what prairie tough looks like. We are here to let you know that you are wrong – this is not “a movement toward victimization” it’s about being a survivor. We are here to let you know that we have all suffered from domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape – and that yes, we expect somebody to believe us when we say it. Because it happened.”
That is the opening to her “letter”. Now, it would be easy to start picking the so-called letter apart, starting with this opening paragraph. The fact an accusation is made, be it by a woman or a man, doesn’t make it true. Yet, so many right now demand the basic concept of innocent until proven guilty be thrown out if the accuser is female. There are at least two things wrong with this approach. First, there are documented instances where a a woman, and age doesn’t matter, has lied about being sexually assaulted. Second, it assumes that the only victims of sexual abuse are female. There are others, but that’s for another post.
The real problem lies with the fact women were named as victims without their permission and, in some cases, without actually having been victimized. Add to that, some of the women named have come out and said they do not support Heitkamp’s candidacy.
Oops.
Yesterday, Heitkamp issued the following apology:
In an interview with Rob Port, Heitkamp also said, “This is a very flagrant error of the campaign, and I own it.”
Well, isn’t that just wonderful? First, she throws her campaign workers under the bus. Yes, that’s exactly what she did. The fact they didn’t do their due diligence and confirm the names of the women to begin with speaks of a culture within the campaign that reeks not only of desperation but of something far worse–that of the “right” to do whatever they want and to hell with the consequences to anyone else. Then there’s the fact they didn’t get permission from the women to name them. How many lives did they put at risk because the abuser might still be out there and now feel their secret has been let out? They won’t go after Heitkamp and her campaign. No, they will after their victims. How sorry will the senator be if one of those women winds up hurt or worse?
But what is truly concerning is the fact Heitkamp approved the ad without asking simply questions like, “Did you talk to these women to get their permission to use their names?” She ignored–no, she trampled–their right to privacy simply because she fears losing her Senate seat. People of North Dakota, I respectfully suggest this is not the sort of person you should have representing you in the nation’s capital.
Is it any wonder these women have decided to protect what is left of their rights and their privacy against a desperate politician by seeking legal counsel? Heitkamp had better get used to groveling because she has dug herself a hole and folks are gathering to fill it in after her. Whether #MeToo is a movement toward victimization or not, Heitkamp’s actions, and those of her campaign, were reprehensible. If you truly worry about victims’ rights, you don’t trample all over them to score political points. Of course, that is something the Left seems to have forgotten long ago.
Voters of North Dakota, let your voices be heard at the polls next month. For the rest of the nation, keep the pressure on your own politicians. Remind them that their responsibility is not to themselves or to their party but to you, the constituents of their district or state.
Featured image: Credit AP
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GWB says: The letter ends with dozens of names and addresses of victims
You forgot this bit. It wasn’t just naming, it was locating them. Talk about making women unsafe!
we have all suffered from domestic violence
No, you ALL have not. The number that has is not insignificant, but it is NOT all.
she throws her campaign workers under the bus
Actually, she threw the “victim advocates” under the bus. The apology blames them for giving her the names (and, presumably, addresses).
If you truly worry about victims’ rights, you don’t trample all over them to score political points.
On the other hand, if it’s all just about securing power so you can implement your vision of the future (and maintain your power, perks, and privileges), that’s EXACTLY what you do.
Amanda Green says: She threw both under the bus. Apparently, the unnamed campaign worker no longer works there. Of course, in order to “protect” them, they haven’t been identified nor has the senator commented on if they resigned or were fired.
She deserves to have her life ruined by this. I don’t usually say something that extreme, but this is simply inexcusable. She has put people in danger by her careless actions. An apology is insufficient to atone for this. I hope they successfully sue her for every penny she has. I can’t imagine how irate I would be if this happened to one of my loved ones, and I shudder to think of my reaction.
Amanda Green says: I totally agree. Whether she personally designed or approved the ad, she created the atmosphere where this was deemed acceptable. I not only hope she is soundly defeated next month but that she is hers accountable not only for the emotional harm she has done these women and their loved ones but for any harm that befalls them as a result of the ad.
Mac says: Democrat=criminal=contemptible=dishonest. Anyone who still has Democrat friends/acquaintances needs to seriously reconsider those relationships. Why would one want to have persons so signally lacking in morality, intellect or judgment in one’s life? If one has to deal with such people, they are best kept at arm’s length.
The Democrats are finally willing to come out of the closet and proclaim themselves as the socialist party they have always denied being. With their true intentions now proclaimed in the clear light of day, never forget what Churchill said: socialism is the politics of envy and hatred masquerading as compassion.
Amanda Green says: Which is why the sjws are doing all they can to discredit historical figures like Churchill. They don’t want us to consider exactly what they want and how it will destroy our nation.
Richard Aubrey says: I generally vote republican at the top of the ballot because republicans are marginally less likely to be promising free stuff. I look back and forth down ballot.
But I will not vote for a dem for dogcatcher any longer. Anyone who voluntarily associates himself with this bunch is beyond contempt.
DJ says: The fact that the group is still “searching” for a lawyer says a lot, too.
If this group was contemplating action against a GOP politician, these women would have to use a truck-mounted snowplow to clear the hand-waving lawyers screaming “Pick me, PICK ME!” off their sidewalks so they could get to the grocery store. But because one person in the group mentioned something about not supporting Heitkamp’s reelection, it seems they can’t find anyone willing to open a case against the Senator (a former lawyer and ND Attorney General herself). Media quote from a group member: “We are looking for a lawyer. We just need to find one who will actually take the case. We’ve called around but most lawyers aren’t interested in politics.”
Amanda Green says: Sad, isn’t it. Where’s Gloria Allred, that supposed protector of women’s rights, or any of the others so willing to jump on the #metoo movement?
DJ quote: “We just need to find one who will actually take the case. We’ve called around but most lawyers aren’t interested in politics.”
A friend who was a parole officer told me why so many local judges run unopposed in elections. The only people who could run against them are lawyers and they know that, if they run and lose, they’ll be in big trouble if they bring a client before that judge. Something similar is going on here. A lawyer who defends those women will be in trouble if they bring later clients before Democratic judges.
These women might try to find a talented retired lawyer. He or she won’t need to worry about judges (D) with nasty vendettas.
Amanda Green says: An excellent analogy and one that bursts the balloon the dems have floated for so long it is now deflating that they are the party that cares. What they haven’t said is that they only care about their own political agenda and destroying the foundations of our nation.
Anon says: Heitkamp and staff abused and used these women just like DiFi, Harris, Klobuchar, and Gillibrandt used Christine Blasey Ford.
Amanda Green says: Absolutely. Let’s hope Heitkamp pays a higher price than DiFi and company have. It is past time to hold these SOBs responsible for their actions.
mhj says: “How sorry will the senator be if one of those women winds up hurt or worse?”
Not at all. They aren’t people to her, they are just tools to be used as she sees fit.
Amanda Green says: Unfortunately, I think you’re right. Support for this stance comes from the fact the “letter” was published at all.
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