Obama Sought Rape Victim for Ad
As if being raped wasn’t bad enough, a shameless aide in Barack Obama’s camp searched for a rape victim to appear in a political ad.
According to Politico.com, Kiersten Steward, director of public policy at the Family Violence Prevention Fund, was approached by the campaign staffer to serve as the go between for the campaign and rape victims.
“Obviously, this is a big ask and I haven’t seen a script but presumably it will be a brief ‘this is what happened to me, we need someone who will fight for women like me, these are the guys to do it,’” Steward wrote in a Sept. 15 e-mail. “Again, that’s just my assumption, given how these things usually go.”
Steward said the Obama campaign would have a crew in Washington and was hoping to film that week.
But one rape victim in Virginia declined to appear in the ad.
Mikele Shelton-Knight said in an interview that she was glad the Obama campaign was seeking to highlight the issue.
“The more discussion about this the better,” said Shelton-Knight, a full-time victims advocate in the Richmond area.
While she wasn’t told about the specifics of the ad, Shelton-Knight said she thought that the ad might be about an obscure law in Wasilla, Alaska, that charged rape victims for their own exams.
But as Shelton-Knight pointed out, the law was on the books before Sarah Palin became mayor of the small city and the law was voted off the books in 2000.
The ad was never filmed probably because Obama’s camp couldn’t find a “rape victim” who wanted to go on camera to speak about her harrowing experience to millions of people.
I’m still surprised that anyone in that camp was that insensitive to make such a request of a rape victim especially since many states right here in this country still charge victims for the cost of the rape kit exam.
It wasn’t until exhaustive lobbying by Shelton-Knight and others that Virginia localities finally agreed to absorbed the cost of the exams last year. (Source)
37 Responses to “Obama Sought Rape Victim for Ad”
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what is this about again?
This must be like how the McCain campaign had hat “Abortion Survivor” in their commercial.
*rolling eyes*
@ HunE
I know that’s right.
well at least they are looking for a real person to talk on the matter, unlike the republicans who used actors and stock footage at their convention — how patriotic was that?
Why does it matter he isnt going to win in this election?
charles jankins. are you white? there is that republican venom again….
and yes auntie is right. nc JUST passed a law when it came to light that we were in fact charging for rape kits to not charge anymore.
too bad it took jesse helms to croak for my republican state to FINALLY get something right.
Oh sure Sandra post this, but don’t post anything on Palin making rape victims pay for their own kits….figures.
@ Charles…you and Sandra need to lay off the haterade….seriously.
I think we need to all pitch in and purchase a rape kit for Charles. Cause I’m about to tell him to go f*** himself.
Charles Says:
Why does it matter he isnt going to win in this election?
~~~~~~~~~~~
The economy is so messed up it is a great time for a black man to win. The bail out is off. They know this brother is going to win and they want him to have a hellava 4 years so everyone will think the Rebpublicans can do a better job and vote a Republician back in.
@ HunE916 Says:
I think we need to all pitch in and purchase a rape kit for Charles. Cause I’m about to tell him to go f*** himself
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I damn near fell out of my chair.
DEAD @ hunE.
i think he is being an azzhole now cause we react. when my 3 year old throws a tantrum the rest of the fam just look at each other and started whispering “I-G I-G” which is short for “ignore.” it took her all of a month to catch on cause NOW after she act a monkey fool she says, “and no I-G EITHER.”
we need to I-G charles azz. tyd jankins with the manpon.
@Kwallace…I agree….done.
..but that’s no fun!
@HunE
I’m just So Enthralled by your Mere Presence…
I’m So F-ing Hooked-On-YOU (Smarts-Beauty-Humor) It’s LIKE as if your a female-version of me MINUS the Jay-Z Jocking ;-)
WHAT IS fun is reading E profess his cyberlove jones for you hunE….awe.
Even if that was on the books before Palin she could have done something to change it….ooops my bad she’s a moron can’t do nuthin.
OMG…RAPE KIT FOR MASTURBATION!
THAT GIRL AINT GOT THE GOOD SENSE GOD GAVE HER!
That has to be the funniest comment in the history of SR.com
I hope he doesn’t run the ad. That would be sinking to McCain’s level and I definately don’t want Barack going there.
I’ve already voted so this doesnt phase or anything else that is negetive that you have to say Sandra
ELove Says:
@HunE
I’m just So Enthralled by your Mere Presence…
I’m So F-ing Hooked-On-YOU (Smarts-Beauty-Humor) It’s LIKE as if your a female-version of me MINUS the Jay-Z Jocking
___________________________________________________
lmao@ HunE.
Charles = Sandra
LAWL i am not Sandra, but its your opinion to think and comment on what you want, i am positive Barack Obama will not win this election, you will see.
mmkay auntSandra/cousin Chuck, I believe you
@ karaz
Although I do like the way he thinks, If I’m Charles, who is updating this blog?
GOOD MORNING FAMILY….
I need a cup of tea .. this foolishness right here is just that.. foolishness ….
Sandra, how does having a dual identity prevent you from updating the blog? You can just outright deny if you want to, but I just don’t think God would pun, I mean bless us with having two people like you
WAKE UP AUNTIE !!
I’ve been at my desk since 6:30 … !!
I need a wake me up !
Good morning! SR family! Sandra can we get some morning wood? T.O please!
Morning MissD …
please T.O. from the neck down only …lol
I do not believe it…
Good Morning SR Fam
Even if this is true …. what harm could the add really do???
PLEASE read the following article: http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/sarah_palin_rape_kit_wasilla.html
to read the truth…I mentioned this article in a rant…I think a week ago….as the aricle stated: “Palin had been in office for four years when the practice of charging rape victims got the attention of state lawmakers in 2000, who passed a bill to stop the practice”
I have no issue over who people support in this Election…but please report the entire truth….sad situation….
LET LOVE RULE !!!
@ nathan:
Did you read this part in my post: “many states right here in this country still charge victims for the cost of the rape kit exam.“
Why didn’t he call Karrine Steffans?
Kidding aside, I doubt if Obama would invade on someones privacy like that.