I’ll admit it. I’m a “new media” addict. I haven’t turned on a MSM channel or subscribed to a newspaper in years, and yet I’m more informed than I’ve ever been in my entire life. From morning till night, armed with my Walkman radio and my key board, I’m what Laura Ingraham describes as an “aggressive news consumer”. My morning starts with Laura’s show, which leads into Rush, who leads into Glenn Beck’s radio show, who leads into Sean Hannity’s radio show, who leads into Britt Hume, who leads into Glenn Becks CNN tv show, who leads into O’Reilly, who leads into Hannity & Colmes. In between, I’m surfing the web, hitting up all my favorite blogs, and usually by midnight, I’ve consumed a fair assessment of the days news. I thank God for radio talk shows, the internet, and the demise of the stranglehold that the left has had on the media and the news we receive. I applaud the death of the Dinosaur Media and will dance upon it’s grave when it finally dies off.

As Electromneyin2008.com (this sites owner) is constantly updating with up-to-the-minute election news with the help of several wonderful contributors, finding unique content for WomenforRomney is a challenge. I will, however, try my best. During the course of any one day, some things stick and some things don’t, whether it be for informative or entertainment value. On this particular day, it was a call into Rush Limbaugh’s show that stuck with me……

The day after Mitt Romney’s Michigan Primary win, several women called into Rush’s radio show. Rush was taken by surprise by their enthusiasm and the depth of their knowledge of Mitt Romney as a candidate. Mitt was their “guy”, and they were brimming with excitement that Michigan had given him a pretty resounding nod of the head, with a strong conservative/republican vote for the win. After several calls, Rush realized that these women callers all had a deep admiration for Mitt Romney; not only as a candidate, but as a husband, a father, and businessman. Rush took three calls, and they all went similar to this:

RUSH: “I’m wondering — it’s hard to say this with three calls in one busy broadcast — but I wonder if we’re uncovering something here that’s being missed, and that is that there’s this army of women who apparently are really drawn to Romney…..You’re right, you are the third babe today that’s just going on and on and on about Mitt Romney. It’s all based on policy, right, it’s not based on how he looks?”

CALLER: It is based on policy, yes. He’s a very good-looking man — but it is based on policy, because we women who are true conservative –Republicans — and comfortable in our own skin — and would never vote for anybody based on gender or race, want to listen to what these candidates are saying.”

RUSH: “What do you think of his wife and family?”

CALLER: “I think that he has a lovely wife and five beautiful sons and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He comes across as a very wholesome American. More important than that, though, is for us to begin to see that he believes in Americans’ ability to use their own mind and ingenuity, to produce the best ideas and products, and hope that the government would just step aside and allow the free market system to work and let our government just continue to protect us so that we remain the strongest country in protecting freedom and homeland security and the war on terror, and I — ”

RUSH: “Let’s get to the character side. I’m running out of time. Does Romney, to you, exude a powerful morality?”

CALLER: “He exudes the most powerful morality I have seen in any candidate.”

RUSH: “This is fascinating. Ruth, I can’t thank you enough.”

CALLER: I thank you, Rush, and just keep up the wonderful work. My husband and I listen to you every day, and we love you, and just keep that faith, because there are Republican conservatives out there who will prove who the true candidate will be, and I believe it will be Romney.”

RUSH: “We have decided to come up with a name for you babes who are smitten with Mitt Romney, first of many, but this works: Mittens. We’re going to refer to you as Mittens.”

I guess in Rush’s world, that makes me a “Mitten”.  It’s a title I can definitely live with….it’s comfortable and it fits.

Is Giuliani creating his own political party? The Demi-Republican Party? Democrat on social issues and Republican on fiscal issues.

Giuliani is often considered a front-runner in the Republican race, however it is often difficult knowing to which party he really belongs. I often think that he could have run as a conservative Democrat as easily as he is running as a liberal Republican.

Why do so many so-called Republicans support a candidate that only stands for a portion of what Republicans really believe?

Giuliani is not the best Republican candidate. He does not uphold the values held by the Republicans in this nation.

Giuliani is socially liberal in nearly every respect—even ask his staff.

Regarding the issue of fidelity within marriage, Giuliani’s track record is not stellar. Most people know he has been married three times—If this isn’t bad enough look at the way he treats the women he marries. The first one was kind of a weird situation. He was married to his second cousin for 14 years; then he had it annulled—how do you erase a marriage of 14 years? Did annulling it make him feel like he had not done something wrong? The end of his second marriage of 17 years, which was riddled with questionable female “relationships”, came after he announced his plans for separation at a press conference—where’s the tact? Regarding his separation, Giuliani stated, “This is damaging and painful for everyone”—yet he still proceeded? His third marriage was, I guess, a “traditional” THIRD marriage—he married a woman who told everyone she had only been married once. As it turned out, her marriage to Giuliani was also a third for her—no surprise? See entire article at CNN

.

In a memo written by Giuliani’s staff, his aids give a harsh assessment of his flaws in a “vulnerability study”.

Giuliani’s staff stated that, “his support for abortion and gay rights may alienate many conservative voters.”—I hope so. Giuliani’s aides were also concerned that, as a former Democrat, he would be painted as a “flip-flopper,” and that his tenure as an official in Ronald Reagan’s Justice Department was an “albatross for a liberal city” (referring, of course, to New York City). “There is not a minute to waste in inoculating against the Reagan Republican moniker,” the memo said, adding that the candidate should emphasize his “independence from traditional national Republican policies.”—Or do as he did and re-define the Republican parties values.

The memo also stated that, “gay marriage really is the only issue where Giuliani opposes the gay agenda.”

While a supporter of abortion rights, Giuliani had stumbled badly on the issue in his 1989 mayoral campaign, sounding like “just another pro-life male politician trying to explain how he wasn’t anti-woman,” the memo said. The advisers said Giuliani could “win over undecided pro-choice activists” by being more “succinct” about his support for the procedure and for public financing of abortions.

The memo also reported the “charge” that “Giuliani received special treatment from a friendly federal judge to avoid military service during the Vietnam War,” and later “hypocritically prosecuted draft dodgers.”

So where does Giuliani stand on complete fidelity in marriage, abortion, gay rights, and war—just ask his staff. His staff would tell you that, “He doesn’t really fit in with the Republicans. Too liberal.” See entire article at The Washington Post The Washington Post

I hope during this primary election people will stand strong with the candidate that truly maintains their values and not their vote simply out of fear. I worry that many people will compromise their values by voting for Giuliani because he will supposedly “relate to both parties” or “have the best chance to beat a Democrat.” Mitt Romney is our strongest candidate for all of these reasons. He has maintained his values as is represented by his intact, faithful marriage. Mitt Romney can certainly relate to both parties and solidly has the best chance to beat a Democrat as he showed as Governor of a mostly-democrat state.

~ Angi Bagley-Hansen

In a recent article, entitled “Romney’s Chicks“, the author blatantly patronizes today’s American homemakers. He suggests that a large amount of Romney’s female supporters are “just housewives”. The author’s agenda is clear, but he is clueless.

Today’s homemakers, as they guide, nurture and enrich their families, are the developers, trainers and empowerers of tomorrow’s leadership. Who better to endorse and support a candidate whose promise is Strong. New. Leadership? Who better to perfectly judge the qualities and values needed for efficient leadership?

Today’s women, whether leading within the corporate boardroom or leading within the four walls of their own homes, are ready for a Presidential candidate who has what it takes to get our country back on track with the values, strength, innovation and integrity that has made America the greatest nation on earth.

Mitt Romney is that candidate!

And maybe it takes “just a homemaker” to lead the nation in recognizing such a simple truth.

Your thoughts are welcome.

Bethie

mitt romney

Governor Romney is definitely tapping women in the state of Florida. On top of those he’s already hired, look at the number of women he’s added to his team in this crucial battleground state.

Boston, MA – Governor Mitt Romney today announced eight new additions to his Exploratory Committee in Florida, including Sherri McVay of Orlando, who will serve as Political Director for the Florida effort.

These new staffers join an already large Florida organization including State Director Mandy Fletcher, senior advisers Sally Bradshaw and Ann Herberger, and Florida adviser Marc Reichelderfer.

“I am so proud of our strong Florida team. Florida is an important state and these individuals bring tremendous experience and added strength to our efforts in the Sunshine State,” said Governor Romney.
Fast Facts About Governor Romney’s Growing Florida Organization:

• Sherri J. McVay – Political Director: An attorney, Sherri leaves Governor Bush’s office as Executive Director of the Statewide Advocacy Council to join Governor Romney’s team. She is a former Regional Field Director for Florida Bush-Cheney 2004, and previously worked at the White House for Vice President George H.W. Bush. She also served as a Special Assistant for External Affairs at the State Department and on the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Sherri was an active volunteer and fundraiser for Florida’s new Governor, Charlie Crist.
• Kristy Campbell – Communications Director: Kristy most recently served as Press Secretary for Governor Jeb Bush. Prior to that she was Communications Director for the Florida Department of Community Affairs and Public Information Officer to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, facilitating statewide communications during the historic 2004 hurricane season.
• Tzaicel Hernandez – South Florida Field Director: Currently Southwest Florida Regional Director for U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, Hernandez has also served as South Florida Regional Field Director for the Republican Party’s Senate Campaigns division. Hernandez previously worked as a field coordinator for Representative David Rivera’s State House Campaign in Miami.
• Nicole James – Central Florida Field Director: Nicole has served twice as Campaign Manager for State Senator Mike Haridopolos and was Governor Crist’s Brevard County Grassroots Coordinator. She also served as an analyst in the Appointments Office of Governor Jeb Bush, a Research Coordinator for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a contributing editor to the Sayfie Review, a Florida political news website.
• Jessica Welter – Northwest Florida Field Director: She is a former Legislative Aide to Pensacola Representative Holly Benson, who now serves as Secretary, Department of Business and Professional Regulation for Governor Charlie Crist. Jessica also served as a Legislative Affairs Assistant to Governor Jeb Bush.
• Patrick J. McQuillan – Southwest Florida Field Director: Patrick returns to Florida from Booz, Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C., where he served as a consultant. He previously served as Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Florida State Technology office, and prior to that, as a Special Assistant in the Office of Governor Jeb Bush.
• Nick Hanson – Tampa Bay Field Director: Nick is a proud third generation resident of St. Petersburg. He has long been active in local politics, most recently managing the 2006 legislative campaign for Angelo Cappelli. Previously, he was a teacher with the Pinellas County School District, and he currently serves on the Steering Committee for the St. Petersburg Young Professionals.
• Cecilia Rush – Office Manager: Cecilia served on Governor Bush’s ‘94 and ‘98 gubernatorial campaigns. She has also served as Senior Assistant in the Florida Governor’s Mansion, the Governor’s Center for Efficient Government, the Foundation for Florida’s Future and to the Republican Party of Florida.

From The Buzz: Florida Politics | St Petersburg Times.

In yet another sign of Jeb Bush’s leanings for the ‘08 presidential contenders, his longtime fundraising chief, Ann Herberger, has signed on to help Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Herberger will be national finance adviser to Romney’s Commonwealth PAC, working alongside another fundraising ace, Ann Dunsmore of California. Jeb’s top political adviser, Sally Bradshaw, has also jumped on the Romney train.

“He’s the real deal, and I have a penchant for governors because they are chief executives. They run states they know how to manage. He and Gov. Bush share a lot of the same chief executive skills,” Herberger said. “He’s a new kind of a leader and moving into the 08 cycle he could take this country where it needs to go….The governor (Bush) was really supportive of it, and I’m really excited about it.”[Emphasis that of Ann Marie]

All you can say to this one is WOW.

Ann Marie

October 16, 2006 - Heading into the final stretch before the mid-term elections next month, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s Commonwealth PAC today announced the addition of three top political advisors and a press secretary to his Commonwealth PAC team.

The three advisors, Sally Bradshaw, Noam Neusner, and Barbara Comstock will assist the PAC as it focuses on several key Republican races across the country. All three have extensive political and policy experience in both national and local Republican politics.

“I am pleased that Sally, Noam and Barbara have agreed to lend us their political and policy expertise,” Governor Romney said. “This last month will be critical as Republicans fight to keep control of Governorships and the U.S. House and Senate.”

The Commonwealth PAC also added Jared Young as Press Secretary for the PAC to handle press relations during these critical closing weeks.

Sally Bradshaw has an extensive career in federal and state government and the political arena, most recently serving as Governor Jeb Bush’s Chief of Staff from January of 1999 through December of 2000. Bradshaw served as senior Campaign Advisor to the Bush-Brogan 2002 re-election campaign. She also managed Bush’s 1998 gubernatorial bid, a position she also held in 1994. She has lived in Florida since 1991, holding a variety of political positions including Political Director of the Republican Party of Florida, Executive Director of the 1992 Florida Bush-Quayle campaign, and Staff Director for the House Republican Office. She has also served as Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, a non-profit grassroots public policy institute. Before moving to Florida, Bradshaw worked at the White House, where she was an Associate Director for the Office of Political Affairs from 1989-1991. She also served as a regional field coordinator for the Bush for President campaign in 1988.

Noam Neusner was President George W. Bush’s primary speechwriter on domestic policy matters, including tax relief, Medicare reform, and energy. He also served as Joshua Bolten’s Director of Communications and Strategic Planning at the Office of Management and Budget, a cabinet-level agency in charge of producing the federal budget. While there, he oversaw the agency’s external and internal communications and was part of Bolten’s senior staff. Neusner is an experienced communications strategist, speechwriter, journalist, and author. He is the founding principal of Neusner Communications LLC, a firm specializing in strategic communications, speechwriting, and policy-specific writing. Neusner’s experience as a journalist includes work at the Tampa Tribune, Bloomberg News, and U.S. News and World Report.

Barbara Comstock is the former director of the Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice, under Attorney General John Ashcroft. She also served as a Bush/Cheney 2004 media surrogate and worked with outside conservative groups on the Supreme Court nominations of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito. In the 2000 election, Comstock served as the director of research and strategic planning at the Republican National Committee where she was responsible for developing and managing the research operations utilized by the Bush 2000 campaign. In 2001, she developed the RNC’s “Winning Women” communications initiative focusing on outreach to women voters. Her experience on Capitol Hill includes the positions of chief counsel/chief investigative counsel and senior counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform and as a senior staffer to Rep. Frank Wolf (R- Va.) Comstock has been involved in numerous Republican campaigns and conventions, including serving as a Republican convention delegate and working on the Republican Platform Committee.

Jared Young has extensive communications experience. Most recently, he worked as a Senior Media Associate at The Heritage Foundation, where he focused on National Security issues and Capitol Hill outreach. Prior to that, he served for 10 months in Iraq as a Senior Press Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority and later as the Director of the International Press Center in Baghdad. Young’s Capitol Hill experience includes serving as the Deputy Communications Director for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and in the press office to Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK). He was also the Press Secretary for Inhofe’s re-election campaign in 2002.

—Kevin— (from Elect Romney in 2008)

Romney visits Miss.; mum on ‘08 plans
The Associated Press

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spoke to a Republican women’s group Thursday in the hometown of U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, but wouldn’t say whether the trip is a precursor to a 2008 presidential run.

During a news conference before his speech in Pascagoula to the local Federation of Republican Women, Romney told reporters he doesn’t dismiss questions about whether he’ll run.

“I think there are a number of good people in our party, and maybe one or two in the other party, who are thinking about running in ‘08. And they want to keep their options open. And that’s an active effort,” Romney said.

Romney, current chairman of the Republican Governors Association, spoke earlier this week in Iowa and was scheduled to travel to California after his trip to Mississippi.

Romney and Lott, who also is a Republican, toured neighborhoods hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s a lot worse than the TV shows it,” Romney said.

In this article By Jennifer Heldt Powell of The Boston Herald, it discusses Governor Romney’s pledge to hire women in senior positions within his administration.

A couple quotes:

Gov. Mitt Romney, who took the group’s pledge, named three to top roles when he made his initial round of appointments. Others were named to senior level positions or moved to top jobs later.

Anne L. Collins, the registrar of the Department of Motor Vehicles, believes it works. She joined state government in 1989 but felt her career had stalled.

“I felt sure I would never get a higher position because I wasn’t political,” she said.

Her resume was among those given to Romney. He first appointed her to be director of professional licensure and later promoted her to her current job.

To me this shows that Governor Romney is mindful of women, and he takes their talents and contributions very seriously. An attitude that I’m sure he’ll take with him should he run for the Presidency of the United States.

Governor Romney is definitely dedicated to women. First off, the most important woman in his life Ann Romney plays a big part in his life. In his book “Turnaround” it described that it was Ann that pursuaded him to accept the job as the Salt Lake Olympic Committee CEO. He isn’t an athletic individual, so it was something that he didn’t necessarily think that he was qualified for. But, after Ann’s prompting he took the job, and we all should be grateful he did. We all are better off having him take over that black eye for the nation.

According to Democracy in Action, three of the four top key people for Governor Romney are women. Those being Julie Teer, Jessica Peterson, and Sally Canfield.

From that source it lists the following information:

Political Director and Spokesperson Julie Teer
(March 2006) Teer served as Romney’s press secretary in the Governor’s office starting in April 2005. Executive director for Bush-Cheney ‘04 in New Hampshire. Communications director for the New Hampshire Republican State Committee starting in March 2003. Worked briefly for Sen. John Sununu (R-NH) in Washington, DC after serving as press secretary on Sununu’s campaign during fall 2002. Served as press secretary to Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI). Native of East Lansing.

Deputy Political Director Jessica Peterson

Policy Director Sally Canfield
(reported by AP on Feb. 23, 2006; starting March 2006) Policy adviser to House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Deputy chief of staff for policy at the Department of Homeland Security under Tom Ridge; started working on homeland security in Nov. 2001. Counselor to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. A domestic policy advisor on Bush’s 2000 campaign, primarily focused on health care. Worked for Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) and earlier for Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX). Government Relations Representative for Caremark International in Chicago. Graduate of Northwestern University. Grew up in suburban Chicago.

Moreover Governor Romney has been dedicated to women Judiciary Nominees, note the following press release from April 26, 2006

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
State House Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000

MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR

KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 26, 2006

CONTACT:
Eric Fehrnstrom
Corbie Kiernan
(617) 725-4025

ROMNEY NOMINATES FOUR WOMEN TO JUDICIARY

Governor Mitt Romney announced today that he has nominated four women to serve as judges in the Massachusetts trial court system, the largest number of female candidates ever brought forward at one time.

Romney has made the appointment of women to the state’s courts a priority, and recently asked his Judicial Nominating Council to bring forward the names of more female and minority applicants. If these four women are all confirmed by the Governor’s Council, women will represent 36% of the appointments made by Romney for judicial office, which includes judges and clerk magistrate positions.

“I am pleased with the outstanding qualifications of the individuals I have nominated to the bench,” Romney said. “They have the capability, the qualifications and the experience to be fair and balanced jurists.”

Nominated were:

* Kathe M. Tuttman of Andover, as Associate Justice of the Superior Court;
* Tracy L. Lyons of Marblehead, as Associate Justice of the Brighton division of the Boston Municipal Court;
* Therese M. Wright of West Barnstable, as Associate Justice of the Edgartown District Court; and,
* Merita A. Hopkins of Boston, as Associate Justice of the Superior Court.

Tuttman has served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Essex County District Attorney’s Office since 1989. During that time, she has held various positions, including Director of the Family Crimes and Sexual Assault Unit, Superior Court Prosecutor and Lead Prosecutor for Lawrence District Court’s Domestic Violence Unit. She has also served on the Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Advisory Group for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Tuttman graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University in 1974 and received her law degree from Suffolk University Law School, cum laude, in 1988.

Lyonshas been a sole practitioner in Boston since 2003, representing criminal and civil clients. She previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for 10 years. In this capacity, she was the Chief of the Sexual Assault Unit and a member of the Senior Trial Team Division, Major Felony Case Unit as well as the Child Abuse Unit. Prior to her years with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Lyons was an Assistant District Attorney in the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office for three years and a Victim Witness Advocate in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office from 1987 to 1990 while attending law school.

Lyons received her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1982 and her law degree from the New England School of Law in 1990.

Wright has served in the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office for many years. From 1989 through 1994, she was a prosecutor in the District Court and Superior Court. After two years as a Partner with the law firm of Sable and Wright, she worked as an assistant regional counsel with the Department of Social Services before returning to the District Attorney’s office in 1998. She has served as Chief of the Family Protection Unit and most recently has worked in the Appellate Division. Wright has also taught courses related to criminal justice at Stonehill College and Quincy College.

Wright attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 1985. She received her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1988.

Hopkins is the Chief of Staff to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Prior to her two years as Chief of Staff, Hopkins was Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston and responsible for the direction of the city’s Legal Department. Hopkins was also a sole practitioner for five years with a criminal defense and civil litigation practice, and prior to that, served as a prosecutor in State District and Superior Courts with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. Her specialization was white-collar crime and drug prosecutions. Hopkins started her career as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) specializing in racketeering investigations and personal and property crimes.

Hopkins completed her bachelor’s degree at Boston College in 1976 and received her law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in 1979.

###

All in all, I believe that Governor Romney is extremely dedicated to women’s and family issues, and he’ll make a wonderful President.

Ann Marie

Here is an old Press Release detailing Governor Romney’s protection of sexual assault victims. This just shows to me just how much he cares about women. I especially liked this quote mentioned below, “Victims of rape or sexual assault have the right to know if their attacker is carrying HIV or any other sexually transmitted disease,” said Romney. “After such a devastating attack, they at least deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing whether or not they are at an increased health risk.” What an upstanding and caring man!

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
State House Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000

MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR

KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 5, 2006

CONTACT:
Julie Teer
Corbie Kiernan
(617) 725-4025

ROMNEY FILES BILL TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
Legislation would require HIV testing of rapists and sex offenders

Governor Mitt Romney today filed right-to-know legislation to provide crucial information and peace of mind to victims of sexual assault. Under the proposed law, every person indicted for or formally charged of rape or sexual assault would be tested for any sexually transmitted disease, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“Victims of rape or sexual assault have the right to know if their attacker is carrying HIV or any other sexually transmitted disease,” said Romney. “After such a devastating attack, they at least deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing whether or not they are at an increased health risk.”

Upon the request of the prosecutor and the victim, the court would order that the sexual offender be tested for the presence of any sexually transmitted disease, including HIV. The test results would be reported to the court as soon as possible and then disclosed to the victim.

Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, a criminologist who has conducted extensive research on sexual assault and domestic violence said, “For far too long, victims of sexual assault in Massachusetts have suffered not only with the trauma of the attack, but also the specter of HIV infection. Victims have a right to know critical information that allows them to make informed medical decisions about their bodies.”

The HIV testing requirement would cover a number of sex crimes in addition to rape and sexual assault, including indecent assault on a child under 14, indecent assault on a mentally retarded person and incestuous intercourse.

Massachusetts is one of a handful of states that does not require HIV testing for accused rapists. The recent alleged kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old Framingham woman is a prime example of the need for such a law. The man accused of the assault has an admitted history of drug use, leading to fears that he is HIV-positive. Defense attorneys have been successful in barring testing that would allow the victim of the attack to know the HIV status of her alleged attacker.

“This bill will provide victims who choose to access it with important information that may assist them in making better informed medical decisions and could provide them with significant psychological relief and a clearer understanding of the totality of their circumstances,” said Nancy L. Scannell, Director of Government Affairs for Jane Doe Inc., Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

“Because information is power, the most important aspect of this bill may well be its potential to provide victims with a tool to begin to reclaim the power to make decisions about their bodies that was taken from them when they were raped,” Scannell also noted.

###

Ann Marie