Democratic war on women becomes a friendly fire zone

Democratic women are still facing down the kinds of moments that Democratic flacks would love if they were caused by Republicans. But since the outcome of the midterm election became clear, it’s been Democrats providing one cringeworthy moment after another when it comes to women in politics.

Just after the election, Democrats ensnared themselves in a gender-based controversy that might have sunk a Republican politician. As part of an internal post-election struggle over control of the Democratic House caucus, prominent Democrats — including House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi — voted to deny a caucus proxy vote to Illinois Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who couldn’t make it to Washington due to the late stages of her pregnancy.

Women’s rights advocates were upset, and also confused. Terry O’Neill, president of the National Organization for Women, noted that Democrats are leading the policy fight for legislation that would bar employers from refusing to accommodate pregnancies.