Meet Joanna Coles, the newest Democratic strategist, er, I mean, the newest editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine.
It’s no surprise that many women’s magazines have a liberal agenda. But, Ms. Coles made it clear to what extent when she proudly declared Cosmo is a “deeply feminist” circular this past week. Here were just some of her comments to Capital New York at Adweek’s first Hot List Gala, detailing what she believes to be her magazine’s most important issues:
“There’s nothing more mainstream than equal pay for equal work. I mean, it’s completely obvious that’s what feminism should be for, and for women’s right to choose what happens to their own bodies,” she said.
She wasn’t finished.
“It’s unbelievable in 2013 we happen to be talking about this, but the battle over healthcare, the battle for women’s right to choose their own contraception, that ludicrous panel full of old men in Washington ruling what women could and couldn’t do—where is feminism then?” she asked. “Where are all the left-wing academics?”
Coles became Cosmo’s editor-in-chief last September, after guiding the Marie Claire magazine for six years. Shortly after beginning her new reign, it was clear what direction she and the magazine were headed. Here’s what she tweeted after President Obama’s victory on Election Night:
Single girls get to keep on having sex and healthcare @Cosmopolitan #Election2012 @PPact
— joanna coles (@JoannaColes) November 7, 2012
Coles’ “extreme feminism” is also apparent in the company she keeps. In addition to attending pro-abortion galas, Coles likes to pal around with Guy Cecil III, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and several members of Obama’s staff, including his senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Tara McGuinness, the senior communications adviser for the White House.
Isn’t it reassuring that over 3 million young women are reading Ms. Cole’s magazine? In the first half of 2012, Cosmo had a total circulation of 3,017,834 and is now the 16th most read magazine in the country and number one for single copy sales. That’s a lot of power – and this influence is dangerous in the hands of someone who seems to enjoy mocking conservatives every chance she gets.
“Someone sent me a list of Republicans to watch. Are we going to feature Michele Bachmann in the magazine? No.”
Don’t worry Ms. Coles, I don’t think Rep. Bachmann will be calling you anytime soon, either.