22/01/2007

Geraldine Ferraro, former Member of Congress and Democrat candidate for the Vice-Presidency of the United States in 1984, announces support for Harriet Harman. Ms. Ferraro was the first woman to have run for national office in the USA as the nominee of a major party, joined only this weekend by Hillary Clinton's announcement to run for presidency.

"I spoke at length with Harriet Harman, in London, in November, and came away thinking how perfect she would be for a party leadership role. I am glad that she has decided to seek it. Harriet is experienced, tough and smart but she also adds compassion to her leadership skills. Quite selfishly, I want to see more women, including Harriet, in positions of power so that the world will be a safer and better place for my grandchildren. Though we have had numerous successes in electing women throughout the world, most recently the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel; and the first woman elected to head an African nation, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia; the next few years might very well bring us a female President of France and a female President of the United States. Wouldn't it be great to have Harriet Harman in that circle of power as the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?"