What’s the best way to critique President Bush?
For Eleanor Vast-Binder and her colleagues, it’s with facts, sarcasm and a whole lot of skin.
The former construction worker is an organizer of Babes Against Bush, which has put together a Web site (www.babesagainstbush.com) and pinup calendar in the hopes that viewers will come for the cheesecake photos and stay for the political commentary about the administration and the war in Iraq.
But isn’t a girlie calendar too sexist and politically incorrect for a group with a liberal agenda? Not at all, Vast-Binder said.
“Feminism comes in so many forms and this is a form of feminism,” said Vast-Binder, 25, of suburban Detroit. “We used our feminine power to have our voice heard.”
And that voice proves largely devoid of mercy, as proven by a sampling of statements from the month Vast-Binder represents, January 2004. For instance, the 13th remarks with glee, “2002–Heroic pretzel tries to save America!” Another day refers to Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft as a “psychotic prude.”
Each day features a countdown of how many days would remain in Bush’s presidency if voters hold him to one term.
Babes Against Bush has either appeared or been referred to in such media outlets as Fox News Channel’s “Hannity and Colmes,” MSNBC’s “Scarborough Country” and Salon.com.
Vast-Binder said the babes have received hate mail and death threats. The group remains hopeful that the calendar, which it says has sold about 2,000 copies, will spark conversations and build momentum to oust Bush.
But if Vast-Binder is a babe against Bush, who is she a babe for?
“Right now, [John] Kerry and [Howard] Dean look promising,” said Vast-Binder, who voted for Ralph Nader in 2000. “I’m not going to pinpoint anybody until I have to. I’m still trying to feel out the candidates.”
So to speak.