The National Organization for Women (NOW) is holding a press conference today to announce … drumroll….its presidential endorsement. (Note that NOW rarely offers a presidential endorsement, because doing so could compromise its tax status.)

NOW is staying true to its mission of supporting the rights and social and political advances of all American women. Even though, in the past, the organization has allowed militant leftism to outweigh support for ordinary women with different political views, today they are breaking with that tradition. In light of former flyboy John McCain’s willingness to put a woman on his GOP presidential ticket; and in light of Sarah Palin’s admirable, hard-fought climb from a politically unconnected, middle class family in the frontier state of Alaska, where being equal to men means doing things most men in the lower 48 couldn’t do if their lives depended on it — yes, shooting bears, moose, etc.– to the State Governorship; in light of her willingness to personally destroy an ‘old boy’ political network that had a political stranglehold on her state; and in light of her ability to balance that with bearing and raising five children, while persuading her macho husband to participate fully in child-care and domestic responsibilities — in light of all those demonstrations of just how strong and successful a woman can be, NOW will be endorsing John McCain and Sarah Palin for the presidency and vice presidency of the United States.

Okay. That would be nice. That would get some attention and show a real stand up for women attitude. In reality NOW will be endorsing Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States. The committee carefully considered other options, but was especially impressed by Obama’s ability to knock off Senator Hillary Clinton in the primaries; his willingness to use sexist language and allusions when necessary, and his inability to overcome his personal feelings and put Mrs. Clinton — who, by the way, is a woman with a long feminist history, but also a major vote-getter – on the Democratic ticket. These actions have improved the standing of women in American in vast and untold ways that will help other women reach high office soon.

And that is why NOW remains irrelevant.