On June 28, I co-authored a story for National Journal with colleague Jennifer Skalka taking a hard look at the women's political group, EMILY's List. Its track record over the past couple of elections had been pretty miserable and the organization chalked up one more defeat when Hillary Clinton, who EMILY's List had endorsed, lost the Democratic primary to Barack Obama. We asked, "Can EMILY's List Get Its Mojo Back?" (subscription required)
Well, the group just received a huge vote of confidence from President-elect Obama. He has hired Ellen Moran, the executive director of EMILY's List, as White House director of communications. The move came even though EMILY's List played hardball against Obama during the primaries and questioned his pro-choice credentials. Clearly, Obama is looking to the future and not the past and the hire is very good for the group, which only endorses pro-choice female candidates.
Still, EMILY's List didn't have a great 2008 election compared to other liberal organizations. Half of its federal picks scored wins - including two Senate candidates, Kay Hagan from North Carolina and Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire - but half lost. That track record was the worst among liberal groups and unions. See our scorecard (subscription required). To be fair, in reporting our story in June, EMILY's List officials stressed repeatedly to us that the group usually supports challengers -- who lose 90 percent of the time. In comparison, the other liberal outfits in National Journal's election survey endorsed incumbents, who are more likely to win.
We'll look forward to seeing how EMILY's List may capitalize on Moran's hiring.
-- Bara Vaida
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Responded on November 25, 2008 1:54 PM
Bara Vaida
Jonathan Parker, political director at EMILY's List responded to my posting.
Bara –
Although she will be very much missed here, we are certainly excited for Ellen Moran and her new position within the Obama White House.
However, I strongly take exception with your comments regarding our 2008 successes. Not only was it a successful year for us, it was historic. As you noted, we won both of our Senate races, we also won the 2 most competitive governors races in the country, every one of our House incumbents won reelection, AND we helped elect more new pro-choice Democratic women to the House than any other election cycle ever save one (1992) -- 11 new House members, which will be 12 once all the votes are counted in OH-15. What a great 2008!
Jonathan Parker
Political Director, EMILY’s List