Palin in Carson: NOW not happy with pro-Palin chapter prez

Gov. Sarah Palin was introduced at the Home Depot Center in Carson on Saturday by Shelly Mandell, the president of the L.A. Chapter of the National Organization for Women. Mandell introduced herself as a lifelong Democrat and women's rights activist who had decided to support the Republican ticket this year because of Palin.

"She's a reformer who will break up the old boys' network," Mandell said. "This is what a feminist looks like."

NOW has taken notice, and they are not amused. California NOW put out a statement on Sunday clarifying that NOW's political action committee has endorsed Barack Obama.

Ms. Mandell was speaking as an individual and was not authorized to represent NOW, the NOW PAC or LA NOW in any capacity in connection with a federal candidate endorsement. As NOW President Kim Gandy said upon Palin's selection, "Not every woman supports women's rights."

The use of Shelly Mandell's Los Angeles NOW title was apparently intended to mislead the public, and indeed has resulted in local television outlets and internet reports misstating that LA NOW has "endorsed" Sarah Palin or that she has a record of supporting women's rights. This in fact is not the case.

There follows a vigorous discussion in the comments over whether Mandell is a traitor to the cause:

Shelly has no idea how many NOW women were right outside the door of the Home Depot Center while she turned her back on us, embarrassed us and twisted the knife in our hearts.

Some, however, were more supportive:

Palin is a woman who has gotten where she is on her own. Is it perfect? No...but it is such a monumental step let's all at least give her a chance. Don't tear her down - Shelly took a very, very brave stand in favor of a (gulp, Republican) woman.