Obama, Romney Agree On Allowing Women At Augusta National

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There was a rare moment of bipartisanship on the campaign trail Thursday when both President Obama and his likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, agreed that the most storied tournament in professional golf should end its club’s decades-long ban on female members.

On the first day of the Masters tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, reporters asked the White House and Romney to weigh in the controversy that has long surrounded the tournament.

Both men said that yes, the club should open its doors to women.

“His personal opinion is women should be admitted to the club,” White House spokesperson Jay Carney said at his Thursday briefing.

On the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, Romney was also asked to weigh in.

“Certainly if I were a member and if I could run Augusta … of course I’d have women,” Romney said.

Despite national protest campaigns in the past, Augusta National’s leaders have been adamant about keeping the ban in place. But as New York Times reported Wednesday, the ascension of woman to the top job at one of America’s biggest companies may be forcing the club’s hand when it comes to the men-only requirement:

The club was given the cultural equivalent of a conceded putt this year when I.B.M., one of the tournament’s three corporate sponsors, along with Exxon Mobil and AT&T, chose Virginia M. Rometty as its new chief executive. The company’s four previous chief executives had been extended a club membership, so a precedent had been set.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/04/obama-romney-call-for-augusta-national-to-admit-women.php?ref=fpb

[luckytxn 2,264]

There was a rare moment of bipartisanship on the campaign trail Thursday when both President Obama and his likely Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, agreed that the most storied tournament in professional golf should end its club's decades-long ban on female members.

On the first day of the Masters tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, reporters asked the White House and Romney to weigh in the controversy that has long surrounded the tournament.

Both men said that yes, the club should open its doors to women.

"His personal opinion is women should be admitted to the club," White House spokesperson Jay Carney said at his Thursday briefing.

On the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, Romney was also asked to weigh in.

"Certainly if I were a member and if I could run Augusta … of course I'd have women," Romney said.

Despite national protest campaigns in the past, Augusta National's leaders have been adamant about keeping the ban in place. But as New York Times reported Wednesday, the ascension of woman to the top job at one of America's biggest companies may be forcing the club's hand when it comes to the men-only requirement:

The club was given the cultural equivalent of a conceded putt this year when I.B.M., one of the tournament's three corporate sponsors, along with Exxon Mobil and AT&T, chose Virginia M. Rometty as its new chief executive. The company's four previous chief executives had been extended a club membership, so a precedent had been set.

http://2012.talkingp...men.php?ref=fpb

Did anyone think they would say that Augusta was wrong to not admit woman?

[TBoneTX 45,292]

Let us send a memo to the White House, asking how many women have played in 0bama's foursomes (during his +/- 80 rounds) -- and their names.

[Danno 1,228]

Obama has also abandoned the long held American right of "freedom of association."

Whats left?

[Karee 4,190]

It's a private club. Let them pull their sponsorship if they don't like it.

I'm waiting for the lawsuit stipulating that all girls must be allowed in any treehouse at any time.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You should probably vote for Romney, Steven. He has done more for global warming AND healthcare than Obama has.

As for golf...I say "teach women to shoot skeet" and save them from golf.

[Dan and Judy 614]

Tiger doesn't need any more distractions.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Ha... I love how a private club is making national news again because some bimbo is getting her panties in a wad for not being able to join...

[Darnell 8,478]

This is really about IBM's sponsership of the tournament,

and the CEO (a woman) wishes to attend as a MEMBER.

IIRC, the membership was given to IBM CORPORATE, and she's just stepping in and using it.

So, Since I never think of the IBM CEO as a WOMAN (she is, but I never think of her that way) - it really should boil down to money. Since IBM has put so much into the tournament, The CEO of IBM should get a free ride, d@mn the 'rules'.

[Darnell 8,478]

Obama has also abandoned the long held American right of "freedom of association."

Whats left?

Well, he also abandoned that concept of 'change we can believe in'. No Beliefs, No Change.

[^_^ 5,021]

He has done more for global warming AND healthcare than Obama has.

This is true. And if Mitt had the courage to actually stand by his record, he'd have beat Obama for the Democratic nomination quite easily.

That said.. and this is quite unfortunate ... he's running as a Republican.

Edited April 6, 2012 by \