Anne Brewer's Blog

Women's Health Talk and Walk in Golden, CO

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:04:16 EDT

A Women for Obama dispatch from Colorado ...

On Sunday, State Senator Moe Keller joined us at the Jefferson County Campaign for Change Headquarters to lead a women's health discussion and kick off a Women's Walk canvass. The event was held in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We took the opportunity to highlight Senator Obama's strong support for research to find cures and treatments for breast cancer and other diseases affecting women, as well as the many other ways his health care proposals will positively impact women's health and well-being.
We were lucky to have Senator Keller, who has served the residents of Jefferson County for over 20 years in elected office, leading the discussion. She has been strong advocate in the Colorado legislature for women's health, mental health and many other critical issues.
She explained some of the stark contrasts between the health care plans of Senator Obama and Senator McCain and answered important questions raised by the women in attendance. She also let us in on her own personal canvassing tips!
Coincidentally, Senator Obama published an Op-Ed in The Denver Post that same morning entitled "Health care a right for all Americans," in which he mentioned his own mother's battle with ovarian cancer. You can read it by clicking here.
After the discussion, our field organizer Andrea led a canvass training and the women set out on a beautiful, sunny Colorado afternoon to hit the pavement and talk to their neighbors about what's at stake in this election.
Check out a couple of photos from the event!

Violence Against Women: Advocate and Activist Suzanne Brown-McBride speaks out about the choice in this election

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:55:22 EDT

We wanted to share this letter written by Suzanne Brown-McBride, Executive Director of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing your personal insights with us.

Dear Friends,
Like many of you, I am watching this election closely. I am reading the news, keeping up with the blogs, watching the debates and talking with friends and colleagues about what I think will be one of the most important election decisions in a generation. With that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to talk to you - person to person - about an issue that is important to me this election year. I wasn't asked by anyone to write this letter, and I am speaking simply from my perspective and personal experience.
I have been an anti-rape activist for most of my life. Seventeen years ago, I began volunteering at a community based rape crisis program in Oregon. I answered the crisis line, accompanied victims to the hospital for post-rape examinations and I stayed with them through legal and criminal proceedings.   Back then, we operated on less than a shoe string; our agency's annual budget was less than $7,000 a year. We did the best we could, and I proud to say that we made a difference in the lives of the women and men that we served. At the same time, there was a sea of needs that we couldn't meet with our all-volunteer staff.
Our city was starting to take sexual and domestic violence seriously. Law enforcement wanted to include our advocates at their rookie trainings. Schools asked for our help to develop classes and training so that kids knew where to turn for help when they were being sexually or physically abused. Churches and community groups wanted our guidance on how they could work to make our community safe. It was frustrating and heartbreaking to watch these opportunities slip away because our little organization didn't have the people, resources or infrastructure to meet the demand for our skills and expertise. In fact, we didn't even have an office.
Then, in 1994, our world changed. In Washington DC, congress passed the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), one of the most important pieces of legislation in our modern history to address sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. Written with anti-violence organizations, advocated for by anti-rape and anti-battering activists, VAWA finally directed resources to organizations like mine to support our work for, and on behalf of, victims.
And not just my organization. VAWA directed funds to battered women's shelters, tribal community organizations, rape crisis programs, campus safety programs, violence prevention programs and law enforcement agencies. When it was later reauthorized, it also included assistance for victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery. No other single piece of legislation has been more important to my work as an anti-rape activist, or the work that thousands of men and women like me across the United States.
So what does this have to do with the election? Let me tell you who the primary author and champion of the Violence Against Women Act was: Joe Biden.
Joe Biden stood up for raped and battered women when it didn't occur many others to do so. Joe Biden championed this legislation every step of the way. Joe Biden demanded that the United States do more for raped and battered women, children and men.   And Joe Biden made it happen.
Joe Biden didn't walk away after that initial victory. He may have initially passed legislation during a Democratic administration, but he demonstrated effective and powerful bipartisan cooperation with leaders like Orin Hatch to make sure that the bill was reauthorized during a Republican administration.   He helped make violence against women more than a partisan issue, he made it a human issue.
As a Champion of VAWA, Joe Biden became a friend to my work, and has stayed a friend ever since. While he was in the Illinois Senate, and when he joined Joe Biden in our federal Senate, Barack Obama co-sponsored legislation to assist victims of sexual assault - including co-sponsoring VAWA.   While there is still much to do to make sure that the silent, violent epidemic of rape and battering are forever eradicated here in the US, VAWA was a watershed moment in our fight.
Conversely, and tragically, Senator John McCain twice voted against VAWA. In doing so, Sen. McCain twice choose to deny victims of battery and brutality the services that they deserve in the aftermath of violence.
I hope that as you consider your choice in this year's election that you keep victims of violence in mind. I hope that you look carefully at the records of each candidate who is running for office and ask yourself "who has made a difference in the lives of the women, children and men who are victimized in my community?". I can't answer that for all of the candidates that you are considering in November, but I can tell you with great confidence about one candidate that has changed every jurisdiction in this country with his leadership: Joe Biden.

Senator Hillary Clinton: What's at Stake for Women in the 2008 Election

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:48:58 EDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2008

EXCERPTS: Hillary Clinton Discusses What's at Stake for Women in the 2008 Election at 8th Annual Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee Luncheon

The following are excerpts from Hillary Clinton’s remarks this afternoon to the 8th Annual Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee Luncheon in New York, NY.

“I come today with a very clear, unequivocal message. We are facing extremely difficult times in New York and America. It will be challenging for our nation and our state to navigate through these unchartered waters. We will need leaders who will understand what it takes to reassert our economic stability, create new jobs while at the same time remembering those who are most likely to be left out and left behind.
“I am absolutely positive with every fiber of my being that we must elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden to be our President and Vice President on November 4.

“As a woman, as a lifelong advocate for women, children and families, as a New Yorker, as a Senator and as an American, this is not even a close choice. This must be approached with the same level of commitment and intensity that we have ever seen by any campaign and by any citizen movement. Because we cannot afford the same failed policies for the next four years that we have endured for the last eight years.

“Especially for women, we have a lot riding on this election. Whether it is equal pay for equal work - something which I have fought for my entire life and during my time in the Senate. Barack Obama is for it. John McCain is against it.

“Whether it is having control and choice over the most intimate and personal decisions in our lives. Barack Obama is for it. John McCain is against it.

“Whether it is expanding Family and Medical Leave so that more people – men and women – can balance family and work in those difficult times when you’re under so much pressure. It needs to be expanded and protected. Barack Obama is for it. John McCain is against it.

“Whether it is universal health care. Quality, affordable health care for every single American. Barack Obama is for it and John McCain is against it.

“And whether it is a Supreme Court that will protect our rights and side with people who are disadvantaged who are disempowered or not. Barack Obama will appoint justices who will get back on the side of the constitution and our people and John McCain will not.

“Clearly, in a time of such serious economic consequences we see the difference in the economic philosophies between Barack Obama and the Democrats, and John McCain and the Republicans. We have had nine straight months of job losses. Costs are going up for average families while wages are stagnant. We know women face economic challenges often first and more personally. Anxiety about paying for gas and groceries and retirement and paying for healthcare bills and keeping up with the mortgage. Small businesses are struggling today. Hardworking men and women are wondering what happened to them.”
“Now, Eleanor Roosevelt is a good person to channel these days and to think through another time when Democrats again came to the rescue. It seems that Democrats are always rescuing America from profligate Republican policies.

“To paraphrase one of my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quotes: ‘a woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong she is until she’s in hot water.’ Well, the same is true for America. We’re in hot water. But we will with the right leadership show strength and resolve. We will roll up our sleeves and get to work. But the only way we will find our way forward is by electing a President and Vice President who understand what’s at stake, who share the values that America represents here at home and around the world that will come with solutions that work.

“We need a fresh start, and the Obama-Biden Administration will provide that. America can rise again as we have before from the ashes of the Bushes. And get back on a confident and optimistic path into the future.

“The biggest risk for America is four more years of the last eight years. It is the economy and the last thing I want and I hope you agree is to put mavericks in charge of the United States economy at this moment of need. Mavericks in Washington and on Wall Street got us into this mess. Let’s have some adult supervision again and pull ourselves out of it.

“I have been all over this country on behalf of the Obama campaign - from Florida to Ohio to New Mexico to California with the same message: that it is time for us to unite.
“Not just Democrats and Independents and even repented Republicans, who recognize the stakes of this election are too high for politics as usual.
“As I have said many times, No way. No how. No McCain. No Palin. That is not the path that we need to be taking. This is a fight for our future and it is a fight we must win. I have done over 40 events for Barack Obama and at every one I see people moving toward us, making up their minds.

“Barack and I may have started on different paths, but we are on the same journey now, and it is a journey to return Democratic leadership to the White House and to America at a time it is desperately needed.

“I am hoping under Chuck Schumer’s leadership we will obtain a filibuster-proof Senate which I think is in the realm of the possible. Chuck and I were in LA Friday night raising money for these great Senate candidates we have across our country. I hope we return all of our Democratic incumbents in the House, which I suspect we will, and add to their numbers which I believe we can.

“As November 4 approaches, more and more people will be making up their minds to get on the right side of history. The side with the America we believe in, the values we hold dear, that can-do spirit that is unafraid to look reality - no matter how harsh it is - in the face and determine that we can move forward. So I’m hoping that especially those of you who especially worked so hard for me will work as hard if not harder this next month on behalf of our Presidential ticket, Senate candidates and House candidates, and all of the candidates across New York.”

MN Women's Press Endorses Obama for President!

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:19:25 EDT

FEMINIST NEWSPAPER ENDORSES OBAMA-BIDEN TICKET

St. Paul, MN

September 29, 2008

In its October 1 issue, on newsstands Tuesday, the Minnesota Women’s Press (MWP), one of the longest-running women’s newspapers in the country and perhaps the only feminist newspaper of its kind, makes only the second endorsement in its 24 year history: Barack Obama for President and Joe Biden for Vice President of the United States.

Why would a newspaper that champions the election of women turn its back on a ticket with a female vice presidential candidate?

MWP’s history has been one of building community and empowering and honoring women. Not surprisingly, the publication is a champion of getting more women in elected office, and supports women who would build the best future for America’s daughters and sons. But some are hearing that because the vice presidential candidate is a woman, many American women will automatically vote for Palin. The MWP believes that gender alone is not good enough.

“Today’s stakes are too high to endorse or support a candidate based on one ciriteria,” says Kathy Magnuson, co-publisher of the MWP. “It is critical that the politicians who lead us be supportive of the issues that most effect the lives of women and children. We believe that is Obama and Biden.”

“Many American women are tired of the ongoing rhetoric about lipstick, hockey and moose hunting. We need to move on to the real issues that deeply affect American lives, women’s lives, children’s lives and families’ lives every day…and will for the next four years.”

Magnuson says, “We choose to vision a world of hope - enough hope, empowerment and justice to go around for everyone. We endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States.”

The Minnesota Women’s Press www.womenspress.com is an independently owned, bi-weekly publication and distributed to more than 550 locations in the Twin Cities and around the state. MWP’s target audience is women who are progressives and activists, and who want to make a difference in the world and in their lives. They are interested in education, health, reading, spirituality, environmental issues, and peace in their world, their communities and their families.

"What Michelle Obama Would Bring to the White House"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:54:55 EDT

What Michelle Obama Would Bring to the White House

By Curtis Sittenfeld

September 27, 2008

Michelle Obama is tall, smart, funny, relaxed and basically so glowy and poised — if she's attractive in pictures, she's flat-out gorgeous in person — that it almost seems as if she already is the First Lady.
Or at least this is the conclusion I came to after sitting down with her at Denver's Westin Tabor Center during the Democratic National Convention. I'd been tagging after her for a couple of days, from one rapturous audience to another, including the crowd at a community-service event for soldiers, at which an Iraq-war veteran introduced her by announcing, "Ma'am, I know you weren't in the military, but I'd follow you anywhere." If all that hadn't quite convinced me (it was the Democratic Convention, after all), I'd guess it took roughly the first 30 seconds of our interview for me to fall for her. It happened when I asked whether she gets bored giving the same speech over and over, and she cheerfully replied, "Yeah, absolutely."
It had never been that I didn't like Michelle Obama. (Full disclosure: I voted for Hillary Clinton in Missouri's Democratic primary.) But after writing a novel about a First Lady based loosely on Laura Bush, I saw Michelle as, well, controversial. Back in June, when she made a visit to The View to talk about policy issues such as panty hose (in case you missed the episode, she's con), the appearance was widely considered part of a charm offensive intended to rehabilitate an image damaged by, among other things, the now infamous remark she'd made during a speech a few months before: "For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback." I also knew that some people found Michelle to be variously "mean," "uppity" and "radical" — not me, mind you, but people. Plus, this very magazine had asked on its cover in June, "Will Michelle Obama Hurt Barack in November?"
To be sure, there are Americans who will never vote for Barack Obama — and by extension are unlikely to be fans of his wife — because he's black. There are also those who'll never vote for him because he's a Democrat. But are there people who would vote for him but who have been put off by Michelle?
Perhaps, but I've encountered more people who, if anything, seem more infatuated by Michelle than by her husband — including the white woman I know who bought her first-ever issue of Ebony magazine because Michelle was on the cover, and the cameraman I met in Denver who finagled a fist bump with Michelle and then proclaimed that he would never wash his hands again. He assured me he was usually jaded in these kinds of situations, but Michelle was the second coming of Jackie O.!
During our interview, I asked Michelle what accounts for the discrepancy between the admiration she inspires among such voters and the kind of blogosphere and talk-radio slurs that prompted the New Yorker, even if in jest, to run its notorious cover cartoon of her standing with her husband in the Oval Office, sporting an Afro and an AK-47. "I've realized that there are two conversations that go on," she said. "There's one at the punditry level — the polls, the writers, the folks in the know, they have one set of conversations — and then there's what's happening on the ground. Early on, I learned to base my reactions on what I see on the ground, because that to me is a more accurate reflection — even, as it turned out, in the primary. If you read the papers, you wouldn't have predicted the outcome of Iowa. But if you were in Iowa, you could feel the clear possibility of what the outcome would be."

"Getting to know Joe" in PA with sister Valerie Biden Owens

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:02:29 EDT

Getting to know Joe: Biden’s sister stumps for Dems’ VP nominee

By Jennifer Todd

Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal

Sen. Joe Biden was always the "leader of the pack," his younger sister said — not because he was a bully, but because he had a gift for inspiring people.
"He was always encouraging, always saying, 'Go ahead, just try it,' and other kids looked up to him for that," Valerie Biden Owens said. "They were drawn to him, and they followed him."
But Owens said her brother, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, also was left out at times and ridiculed because he stuttered.
"There was a time he couldn't string four words together," she said. "Nobody likes to be laughed at. But that experience created a deep sense of compassion within Joe, and to this day when he walks into a room, he automatically gravitates to the person standing in the corner and tries to engage them. He knows what it's like, and he doesn't want anyone to ever feel the way he did."
Owens made a brief stop in Lancaster on Thursday morning, meeting Mayor Rick Gray and City Council members for coffee at Square One on North Duke Street.
For the first time since Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate, she is not her brother's campaign manager. Instead, she has hit the campaign trail, stumping up and down the East Coast for Biden and Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.
Owens, who is three years younger than the 65-year-old senator, spoke at length Thursday about the tight-knit Biden family, of which she is the only sister.
....
At times Thursday morning, the coffee-table conversation touched on issues such as health care reform, education and the economy. Local officials, including Gray, also expressed their concern about middle America.
"I think if there's anything you can take back (to the candidates), it's bring government back home," Gray said. "We're continually seeing block grants cut. … The federal government just isn't there to help. They can give billions to Wall Street but nothing to Main Street. They've forgotten about the average person."
Which is exactly why the country needs someone like Biden, Owens said.
"My brother doesn't forget his roots; he doesn't forget where he came from," Owens said of their modest upbringing in Scranton and Castle County, Delaware.
"He's a great brother, a loving husband, a dedicated father and a loyal friend."

Click here to read the entire article..

Sen. Obama's Plan to Protect Taxpayers and Homeowners

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:57:12 EDT

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama—as prepared for delivery

Senator Obama's Plan To Protect Taxpayers and Homeowners

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Tampa, Florida

Yesterday, the President said that Congress should pass his proposal to ease the crisis on Wall Street without significant changes or improvements.
Now, there are many to blame for causing the current crisis, starting with the speculators who gamed the system and the regulators who looked the other way. But all of us now have a stake in solving it and saving our financial institutions from collapse. Because if we don’t, the jobs and life savings of millions will be put at risk.
Given that fact, the President’s stubborn inflexibility is both unacceptable and disturbingly familiar. This is not the time for my-way-or-the-highway intransigence from anyone involved. It’s not the time for fear or panic. It’s the time for resolve, responsibility, and reasonableness.
And it is wholly unreasonable to expect that American taxpayers would or should hand this Administration or any Administration a $700 billion blank check with absolutely no oversight or conditions when a lack of oversight in Washington and on Wall Street is exactly what got us into this mess.
Now that the American people are being called upon to finance this solution, the American people have the right to certain protections and assurances from Washington.
First, the plan must include protections to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to further reward the bad behavior of irresponsible CEOs on Wall Street. There has been talk that some CEOs may refuse to cooperate with this plan if they have to forgo multi-million-dollar salaries. I cannot imagine a position more selfish and greedy at a time of national crisis. And I would like to speak directly to those CEOs right now: Do not make that mistake. You are stewards for workers and communities all across our country who have put their trust in you. With the enormous rewards you have reaped come responsibilities, and we expect and demand that you to live up to them. This plan cannot be a welfare program for Wall Street executives.
Second, the power to spend $700 billion of taxpayer money cannot be left to the discretion of one man, no matter who he is or which party he is from. I have great respect for Secretary Paulson, but he cannot act alone. We should set up an independent board that includes some of the most respected figures in our country, chosen by Democrats and Republicans, to provide oversight and accountability at every step of the way. I am heartened that Secretary Paulson appeared to be softening on this position in his testimony this morning.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on the trail for Obama in Asheville, NC

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:27:24 EDT

Sebelius stumps for Obama

by Josh Boatwright

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius linked the current stock market crisis to policies backed by Sen. John McCain during a campaign event for Sen. Barack Obama at a North Asheville coffee shop on Friday.
The popular Democratic governor spoke to a crowd of more than 100 just after noon at Mountain Java on Merrimon Avenue, the first of two stops in the state aimed rallying women voters in the presidential campaign.
Sebelius told enthusiastic supporters that GOP candidate McCain has vowed to sustain failed policies contributed to the nation’s economic turmoil, while Obama advocates regulations to reign in misbehavior on Wall Street.
“It isn’t just a string of bad luck that produced the tumult that we see on Wall Street,” Sebelius said. “It’s a stream of bad policy and a stream of deregulation of the financial services industry.”
Sebelius’ appearance was part of a larger push by the Obama campaign this week to shore up support among women in North Carolina.
Sen. Joe Biden visited Charlotte on Sunday, while Michelle Obama spoke in Charlotte and Greensboro earlier this week. Barack Obama is scheduled to speak in Charlotte on Sunday.
Sebelius said Obama would fight for equal pay for women and give tax breaks to middle-class families rather than large corporations.
One event attendee said she didn’t believe Obama really cares about women voters. Kathy Skerl, a former Hillary Clinton supporter now backing McCain, held up a sign during Sebelius’ speech that read, “Sweetie is a code language for sexism,” a reference to Obama’s use of that term, she said.
Local Obama volunteer Carmen Ramos-Kennedy said her candidate can win North Carolina.
“It’s palpable to me that it’s winnable, and obviously, the campaign thinks North Carolina is in play,” she said.
Gibbs Knotts, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said McCain still has the edge here.
But given that no Democrat presidential candidate has won the state since 1976, “the fact that it’s in play is very good news for the Obama campaign,” he said.

Women for Obama Phonebank Party in Bloomington, IL

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:00:34 EDT

Diane, a supporter in Bloomington, IL, hosted her first Women for Obama phonebanking party this past weekend with a group of friends. They had a blast and wrote in to share their experience with us!

I felt that I could not just keep hoping and praying every day that Barack Obama would be our next president but that I needed to do something, no matter how small. I was a little nervous about hosting a calling party but I can say that it was really a great time. We had a lite lunch first, then we viewed 2 introductory videos, and got started calling. We had so much fun sharing stories from the calls made. We're already planning a second party in a few weeks.

Her friend Karyn, who participated in the phonebank party, wrote...

This was the first time for most of the women and me to call or even volunteer for a political campaign. But we all talked about it and agreed we felt so strongly about this particular election that we needed to do something. Most of us were just a little shy about calling voters in battleground states, people that we didn't know and we were not sure about how they would respond ...
As it turned out, we all agreed it was a very rewarding experience. We had a variety of responses, positive, negative, some surprises and several we had to leave messages for. Then we reconvened and shared our experiences. My best experience was that several hours later a voter whom I'd left a message for called me back and we had a great chat about why we both felt so strongly about supporting Barack Obama. Others talked with voters who didn't know they could vote early in Indiana and were very interested in doing so and still others who are interested in volunteering. A great time for us and we are planning to schedule another Women for Obama Calling Party again in October.

Here's a photo from their party...

You can host a phonebank party, too -- it's easy! Our team has built a tool called Neighbor to Neighbor that lets you tap into the power of this grassroots movement right from your home. Neighbor to Neighbor enables you to talk to other people about Barack Obama and his vision for the future of our country. You can call potential supporters in your state or in an important battleground state. Organize a phonebank party with a group of friends, like Diane did, and you may just be surprised by how much fun you'll have doing it together!

As Joe Biden said yesterday: "it's all going to come down to what supporters like you do -- or don't do -- in these last 44 days." Thank you for all that you do.

Utah Women for Obama: Gearing up for the October 10-11 NWLI Conference!

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:09:05 EDT

Nancy Gilbert, a National Co-Chair of the National Women's Leadership Initiative, wrote in to give us this report on a recent women's fundraiser in Park City, UT. She is looking forward to attending the National Women's Leadership Issues Conference in Chicago on October 10-11, along with a great group of Utah women for Obama!

From a World-Cup Giant Slalom champion, to a national skeleton racer…from artists to film makers, homemakers, physicians, professors, attorneys, businesswomen, an organic farmer and a chocolate maker… grandmas, ma’s, daughters and sons… gathered on Sunday in Park City, Utah for a wildly successful National Women's Leadership Initiative (NWLI) fundraiser.
“I had no idea that we could pull this together in just six days," said Joanna Charnes , one of the Utah State Co-Chairs for NWLI. “The event generated enormous enthusiastic momentum for us in Utah and we can carry it to other western states, “she said of the event where 150 people generated $150,000 in new Utah Obama contributions. One donation was a wad of eighteen dollar bills, given by teen Hanna Aaronson to her mother Debbie who exclaimed, “I’m making this donation in honor of my daughter who gave up her savings toward new shoes, in favor of helping to get a new President.”
With a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains with the beginnings of gorgeous fall foliage, the group heard details of the upcoming Issues Conference in Chicago and got a full Obama-tax-plan briefing by Mark Gilbert, NFC member who sits on the Tax Committee. National Co-Chair from Utah, Kristi Cumming, who served as a super delegate to the convention, shared her experiences from Denver with the attentive crowd.
To date, 23 Utah women will be participating in the National Women’s Leadership Issues Conference in Chicago on October 10-11 with Barack & Michelle Obama. Sign up today by clicking here.
Thanks to Utah event chairs: Kristi Cumming, Nancy Gilbert, Joanna Charnes, Jill Sheinberg and Geralyn Dreyfous.

NOW, Feminist Majority and other women's groups endorse Sen. Obama

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:28:39 EDT

Women's rights groups endorse Obama for president

By ANN SANNER

September 17, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — Women's rights groups endorsed Barack Obama for president Tuesday, asserting the historic selection of a female Republican vice presidential candidate does not make up for John McCain's lack of support on issues important to women.
"We don't think it's much to break a glass ceiling for one woman and leave millions of women behind," said Eleanor Smeal, chairman of the Feminist Majority Political Action Committee.
Smeal was among leaders from six organizations that announced their endorsement of the Democratic presidential nominee at a news conference.
Obama also won the support of the National Organization for Women, which said it has not endorsed a candidate for president since Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro shared the Democratic ticket in 1984. Ferraro was the first female major-party vice presidential candidate.
NOW backed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primaries. "We join with her in saying 'no,'" said NOW President Kim Gandy, referring to a line Clinton used at the Democratic convention last month. "No way, no how, no McCain."
...
Obama was also endorsed by leaders from Business and Professional Women/USA, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Congress of Black Women and the Women's Information Network.

WOMEN FOR CHANGE: North Dakota State Director Anita Decker

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:26:02 EDT

By Suzanne Charlé

This is the fifth in our series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charlé , a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct the interviews.

Anita Decker, the North Dakota State Director for the Obama campaign has worked in politics since she graduated from the University of Arizona in 2000. Decker, 30, says she got “bitten by the bug” after she returned to her native Illinois and worked on the congressional campaign of Lane Evans, a longtime incumbent. Next came Rod Blagojevich’s successful bid for governor.

Decker met Obama in 2003, when he was gearing up his campaign for the U.S. Senate. At the time, Decker recalls, “it was hard to attract large crowds.” That, she says with a laugh, suddenly changed in July 2004: “I was hosting a meet-and-greet at my house, so friends could get to know Barack Obama. Only 30 people had r.s.v.p.’d.” Just before the party, the state senator from Illinois gave the keynote speech at the Democratic Convention. “We had to have the cops come to direct the traffic. Over 300 people showed up!”

What made you decide to join Barack Obama’s campaign in the first place?
I’ve been working with Senator Obama since he first ran for the U.S. Senate. After he won, I went to work in the Senate office as the Downstate Director. I oversaw the 92 counties outside of Chicago, working with the staff, elected officials and overseeing outreach efforts.
We met just when Obama decided to run for the Senate. I had worked as Downstate Field Director on Rod Blagojevich’s campaign for Governor of Illinois – he was the first Democrat to win in the state in 20-plus years. No one thought Barack Obama had a chance, but I was very impressed with what he had done in Chicago as an organizer and in the Illinois State Legislature. There, he had pushed through ethics reforms, sponsored bills to make sure that children got health care, and was able to work across the aisle with ease. All of these things, I believe, are very important.
I’m also impressed with Senator Obama’s personal qualities: He’s very smart, and at the same time, very much a people-person. And he listens. To everyone. Sometimes at town hall meetings there would be protestors. He never walked right by them; he’d take time to talk with them, to hear their points of view, to invite them to participate. The first time I was traveling with him, a woman stopped him and started a ruckus. He stopped to talk with her for while. “She’s crazy,” I said to him. “We’re all a little crazy,” he replied.

Why has the Obama campaign decided to focus on North Dakota – a state that has voted Republican in 24 out of 27 Presidential elections, and that only has three electoral votes, the minimum number a state can have?
North Dakota is a conservative state – George Bush won over Kerry, 63 percent to 35 percent.
But Senator Obama had a great win here in the caucuses – 62 percent. There are also three Democrats in the Congressional delegation: Sen. Kent Conrad, Sen. Byron Dorgan, and Rep. Earl Pomeroy. In fact Senator Conrad was one of the first national politicians to support Senator Obama in his campaign for the Presidency. All three enjoy extremely high approval ratings and are working hard on behalf of the Obama campaign.
It’s clear from Senator Obama’s big win in the caucuses that the people of North Dakota are open to voting for him – they’re willing to listen.
We are trying to expand the map here – to bring North Dakota into the Democratic column. There are various ways of getting 270 electoral votes, and one is to win many of the states with smaller electoral numbers that can be changed from Republican to Democrat.
We’ll soon have 11 offices open, with a very sizeable staff. We are here to talk to North Dakotans about the importance of this election and invite them to get involved in the process. John McCain has no paid staff here, and no offices. In the past, the Democrats didn’t pay much attention to North Dakota in Presidential elections – John Kerry only had one staffer here.

How does this campaign differ from others?
This campaign is very different: It’s extremely grassroots based. During the primary, people opened their homes to volunteers. When I was in Pennsylvania I stayed with a family for over six weeks. The family that I lived with in Missouri considered the experience so positive that they started to call and recruit family and friends to take in other staffers who needed homes. I have made some deep friendships with these families – all of which I treasure.
Here in North Dakota, we’re giving people a chance to be involved with the process of selecting a President. Senator Obama has visited the state two times since April. Local volunteers are getting involved, and they’re coming in to the offices and calling their neighbors and friends, to give them more information about Senator Obama and his platform.

What has been the response to the Republicans putting a woman on the ticket?

I think there was widespread shock. People don’t know who Sarah Palin is, or why she should be on a national ticket.

Women who had supported Hillary Clinton particularly aren’t impressed, and are solidly behind Senator Obama. Cheryl Bergian, who ran for the Public Service Commission and who had supported Hillary, made it very clear: This election is too important to sit out, and that everyone who had supported Clinton should get involved in the Obama campaign. After the convention in Denver, everyone came back energized and ready to be on one team.

Click here to read the entire interview...

"Women for the Change We Need" Week -- Join Us!

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:21:07 EDT

The “Women for the Change We Need” Week continues!

Don’t forget to watch "A Conversation with Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton" on Wednesday! See them answer YOUR questions and talk about what’s at stake for women voters in this election. Click HERE to join the conversation at 8PM EDT WEDNESDAY NIGHT (video available to view after that).

This coming weekend – September 19-21 – we’re hosting women’s rallies, women to women phone banks, “Bring Your Daughter to Canvass”, and hundreds of other activities across the country. If your home state isn’t listed, go to your local field office HERE. Please join us!

Alaska: please contact Meredith Fascett at mfascett@alaskansforchange.com or 312-672-2929
Colorado:
o   Larimer County
o   Douglas County
o   Loveland, CO
Florida - Click here
Indiana: Click here. Please contact Vanessa Waserman at vwaserman@indianaforchange.com, if you have any questions or need additional information
Iowa: Click here
Maine: Click here
Michigan: Click here
Minnesota: Click here
Missouri: Please contact your nearest campaign office
Montana: Click here
New Hampshire: Click here
New Mexico:   Click here
North Carolina: Click here

North Dakota: Click here
Ohio: Please contact Liz Shirey at liz@ohiodems.org or (614) 207-7013
Oregon: Click here
Pennsylvania:
o   WFO Open House in Wilkes-Barre (Wednesday, 9/17)
o   Women’s Day of Action in Harrisburg -- Canvass & Phone Bank (Saturday, 9/20)
o   Women United for Change Rally in Erie (Saturday, 9/20)
o   “Take Your Daughter to Canvass Day” (Saturday, 9/20): every field office across PA Contact Alexandra Traber atraber@PAforchange.com for more information.
o   House Parties (statewide): Please contact Katheryn Rosen - krosen@PAforchange.com
Virginia: Click here
Washington: Click here
Wisconsin: Click here

JOIN US! National Women's Leadership Issues Conference Oct. 10-11 in Chicago

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:25:37 EDT

A message from Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, our national Women for Obama Finance Chair...

For anyone looking for a high impact way to support the Obama-Biden campaign in the closing weeks of this election, here is your opportunity: Please join our National Women's Leadership National Issues Conference, taking place October 10 - 11 in Chicago, IL.
The National Women's Leadership Issues Conference will be the pinnacle event of the general election to highlight to importance of women's leadership and the women's vote in electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden the next President and Vice President of the United States! Women leaders from all 50 states will convene in Chicago, IL for a two-day conference featuring Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, high-level policy makers and senior campaign advisors. This conference will present important policy and campaign strategy updates and provide field tools for women to take back to their communities.
Please register for the conference by making a contribution online at https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/OVFWLF or contact Annie Lieberman or Natalie Jones for additional information at (202) 863-8000. Tickets start at $1,000.
There will be wide-ranging issue panels on everything from Energy & Climate Change to Health Care and the Economy. We also have an exciting lineup of strategy briefings, including "Let's Get to Work -- Ground Game Strategies and Messages for Women to Take Back Home for Election Day."
Come join our Women's leadership and be part of the Obama-Biden issues-based answer to John McCain and Sarah Palin - as they try to claim that they are the change Americans are seeking from the last eight years of the Bush administration. NO THEY AREN'T - BUT YES WE CAN!

American Nurses Association Endorses Sen. Obama

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:50:27 EDT

THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION ENDORSES SENATOR BARACK OBAMA

SILVER SPRING, MD -The American Nurses Association (ANA) announces its endorsement of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) in the 2008 Presidential Election. The ANA represents the interests of the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses.

"As President, Barack Obama will bring real change to our health care system," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "Nurses are consistently voted the most trusted profession by the American people, and we, as a profession, trust that Barack Obama will see that affordable quality health care is made available to everyone."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the American Nurses Association," said Sen. Barack Obama. "The nurses of America serve our country tirelessly, and I share their belief that we must bring affordable and accessible health care to all Americans. My plan lowers health care costs for the average American family by up to $2500 and finally makes health care work better for American families than it does for the drug and insurance companies."

"Both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton spoke at ANA's House of Delegates in June about the need to move forward in unity to bring about real, much needed change to our health care system, and our nurses responded; 'Yes we can'" Patton added. "Nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals in this country, and working together, we can use our power in the voting booth to make health care a priority, and make Barack Obama the next President of the United States."

Senator Obama is committed to signing universal health legislation by the end of his first term in office that ensures all Americans havehigh-quality, affordable health care coverage. Barack Obama recognizes that nurses play a critical role in every aspect of patient care, and the nursing shortage ranks as one of the most pressing issues facing our health care system. Obama's health care plan includes expanded funding to improve the primary care and public health practitioner workforce; including loan repayments, improved reimbursement and training grants.

Barack Obama has a history of advocacy for nurses and patients. In the Illinois senate, he helped lead efforts to protect nurses and improve the quality of health care. In the U.S. Senate, he cosponsored the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act, which limits mandatory overtime for nurses to true emergency situations, and as President, he has promised to sign this important legislation into law.

ANA has been making presidential endorsements since 1984. The endorsement process includes sending a questionnaire on nursing and health care issues to all of the Democratic and Republican candidates, an invitation to all of the democratic and republican candidates for a personal interview and an online survey of ANA's membership regarding which candidate is most supportive of nursing's agenda.

"Issues Matter to Women of Color"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:21:14 EDT

Commentary: Issues Matter to Women of Color

By C. Nicole Mason

Women's eNews

When the John McCain campaign announced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as its pick for vice president, women and the Democrats began to seriously worry about how she might influence the outcome of the election.
Would women who felt betrayed by the alleged snub of Sen. Hillary Clinton flock to her? Would women vote for her just because she is a woman?
At the time, it seemed like a brilliant strategy. Brava McCain, I thought to myself as I listened to my friends and the media pundits try to figure out how to handle this political hot potato. Was Palin the new everywoman; the selfless mother trying to juggle a career, hockey practice, the demands of a large family and the opportunity of a lifetime? Is shattering the glass ceiling, as the GOP is framing it, more important than a person's position on the issues?
As an African American woman, I was confused by these questions and the false choice now being presented to me: Vote gender or vote issues. In both instances, I've decided Palin loses out.
Yes, Palin is a woman, but not the kind of woman I can easily identify with, nor can many other African American or Latina women. We are not hockey moms, and when our unmarried teen daughters get pregnant society and others often do not see it as a blessing. Rather, we are viewed as perpetuating negative pathologies.
So, when I turned on the television and saw Palin speak about herself as the average working mom and woman trying to juggle it all, I couldn't relate. In her, I didn't see myself, my mother, my sister or even my next-door neighbor.
On the issues, she might as well be George W. Bush as I can not tell the difference between the two. Although Palin has not spoken publicly about her positions on immigration, affirmative action, job and housing discrimination, school re-segregation, police-minority community relations and racial disparities in the criminal justice system, we know where her party stands on these important issues.
What I do know, however, is that she is socially conservative and her stated views and opinions--from supporting the war in Iraq to her views on comprehensive sex education for our country's youth--run counter to many of my deeply held values and beliefs, not to mention those of my community.
Black women, Latina black women and Latinas account for 79 percent of all reported HIV infections among 13- to 19-year-old women and 75 percent of HIV infections among 20- to 24-year-old women in the United States. We are also nearly twice as likely to be poor than white women. In short, race and class profoundly affect how African American women and Latinas understand gender and our place in society.
When I talk to my friends, many of whom are women of color, about Palin, gender is hardly the point of consideration for them; it is her positions on abortion, comprehensive sex education, the war, affirmative action and immigration that matter most to them. If Oprah Winfrey were running for vice president and had Sarah Palin's views, she wouldn't get my vote either.
Perhaps the McCain camp isn't talking to African American and Latina women when they say Palin is the average American mom and woman. If they are, they have a lot of explaining to do.

C. Nicole Mason, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Women of Color Policy Network at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and senior research fellow at the National Council for Research on Women.

Women for Obama rally together in Missoula, MT

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:56:47 EDT

Obama supporters meet in Missoula

KPAX-Missoula

Sep 10, 2008

Supporters of Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama gathered in Missoula on Tuesday night to talk about the issue of equal pay in the work force.

Montana State Senate Majority Leader Carol Williams (D-Missoula) rallied with other women in Missoula to get more people, specifically women, behind Obama.

Williams acted as chair for Hillary Clinton's Montana campaign, but after talking with the New York Senator at the Democratic National Convention, she's putting her efforts into promoting the Obama campaign.

Tuesday night, volunteers spoke with other women about Obama and his opponent John McCain, engaging in a community conversation about the importance of this election.

"They're very serious about trying to reach out and have women understand Obama's policies and the equality issues, and the issues of education and health care, and how they affect women" said Williams.

Hot button issues like the economy, healthcare and the War in Iraq stretch across gender lines, and Williams believes it's easier for women to relate to other women.

Gov. Madeleine Kunin -- "The Irony of Palin's Extreme Conservatism"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:27:40 EDT

The Irony of Palin's Extreme Conservatism

by Madeleine Kunin

September 10, 2008

Madeleine M. Kunin is the former Governor of Vermont and was the state's first woman governor. She also served as Ambassador to Switzerland for President Clinton.

Yes, Governor Sarah Palin has added a dash of excitement to the Republican ticket, a party which has no history of reaching out to women. Let's remember what this party stands for: the appointment of Justices who are determined to overturn Roe v. Wade.
In past elections, it was difficult to get voters to focus on the importance of Supreme Court appointments. It seemed too far off, too hypothetical. That has changed in 2008. We're not talking about the distant future, we are talking now. Senator McCain has told the world that the justices he would appoint would be in the mold of Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. He has made that promise not only to the far right; he has made it to the nation.
How likely is it that the next President will have the opportunity to fill vacancies? Very. Justice Stevens is 88 years old. Justice Ginsberg is 75 and has had bouts of ill health. Justice Breyer is 70, and Justice Souter, 68, has expressed a desire to return to his native New Hampshire. All four justices have been strong supporters of a woman's right to choose. They also have been in the minority on a host of decisions regarding civil rights and equal pay. The one which affected women most directly was Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. That 5-4 decision denied Lily Ledbetter, a supervisor on the factory floor, the right to sue for pay discrimination because she had not filed her case within 180 days. She found out she had been paid less than her male counterparts, after 20 years.

Click here to read more...

Ellen Bravo: Is Palin good for women?

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:20:10 EDT

Is Palin good for women? No
Her extremist positions are nothing like what women need

By Ellen Bravo
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - Sept. 6, 2008

Many pundits have labeled John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin for the vice presidential slot on the Republican ticket as an off-message roll of the dice, based on a hasty vetting. In fact, it was probably the most calculated political move he’s made.
McCain has a big problem: How does a die-hard conservative who’s championed every failed policy of the last eight years (tax cuts for the rich, the war in Iraq, the power of Big Oil) win the presidency against an inspiring proponent of change? He can’t win by relying solely on the conservative base, and yet he can’t win without them. He has to keep his mantle as a maverick while assuring the Big Boys he has no intention of bucking them.
His only chance of victory is to appeal to women disappointed about Hillary Clinton’s loss, to white working class voters and to independents, without alienating conservative extremists.
Former Hewlett Packard CEO and McCain finance chair Carly Fiorina might have sparked some women, but she’d antagonize the conservatives with her support for abortion rights and for requiring insurance policies that include Viagra to also cover birth control. The evangelicals would have had a similar reaction to Joe Lieberman or Tom Ridge, both of whom are pro-choice. Mitt Romney appealed to the base but would have been a finger in the eye to women and white workers — another four houses to account for.
Presto! Sarah Palin, a woman who uses the language of feminism while promoting a staunch evangelical conservative agenda: anti-abortion even in the case of rape and incest, pro-gun, pro-creationism, anti-gay rights, anti-sex education. A woman who introduces her husband as a proud member of the Steelworkers Union while working to open Alaska to Big Oil. A politician who claims to be an environmentalist while denying that global warming is “man-made.” Someone who thinks that the war in Iraq is “God’s task.” A mayor who threatened to fire a town librarian who refused to censor certain books.

Ellen Bravo is an author and longtime activist on working women’s issues.

Click here to read the rest of her column...

Gloria Steinem on the choice between McCain-Palin and Obama-Biden

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:54:59 EDT

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message

By Gloria Steinem

September 4, 2008

Here's the good news: Women have become so politically powerful that even the anti-feminist right wing -- the folks with a headlock on the Republican Party -- are trying to appease the gender gap with a first-ever female vice president. We owe this to women -- and to many men too -- who have picketed, gone on hunger strikes or confronted violence at the polls so women can vote. We owe it to Shirley Chisholm, who first took the "white-male-only" sign off the White House, and to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who hung in there through ridicule and misogyny to win 18 million votes.

But here is even better news: It won't work. This isn't the first time a boss has picked an unqualified woman just because she agrees with him and opposes everything most other women want and need. Feminism has never been about getting a job for one woman. It's about making life more fair for women everywhere. It's not about a piece of the existing pie; there are too many of us for that. It's about baking a new pie.
Selecting Sarah Palin, who was touted all summer by Rush Limbaugh, is no way to attract most women, including die-hard Clinton supporters. Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Clinton. Her down-home, divisive and deceptive speech did nothing to cosmeticize a Republican convention that has more than twice as many male delegates as female, a presidential candidate who is owned and operated by the right wing and a platform that opposes pretty much everything Clinton's candidacy stood for -- and that Barack Obama's still does. To vote in protest for McCain/Palin would be like saying, "Somebody stole my shoes, so I'll amputate my legs."

Click here to read more

Joe Biden in Sarasota, FL for town hall on women and the economy

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:44:45 EDT

Biden brings town hall to Sarasota

By Carol E. Lee
Thursday, September 4, 2008

SARASOTA, FL -- About 1,700 voters spent dinnertime Wednesday evening discussing topics that Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden says people across the country are talking about at their kitchen tables.
Health care, jobs, education, wages and taxes were the key issues during Biden's town hall meeting at Booker High School. Not known for soft punches, Biden seized on comments from Republican presidential nominee John McCain's campaign manager that the election is "not about issues" as an entree into his hourlong event.
"In a strange sense, it's not about issues," Biden told the crowd. "It's about the lives of the American people. It's about whether or not you can fill up the gas tank."
...
Biden's campaign event Wednesday focused heavily on the middle and working classes.
When he was asked what he and Obama would do for Head Start education programs, he said, "It's not only important for you to double early Head Start and quadruple Head Start," but also give families in social welfare systems the tools to better raise their children.
And when a woman stood up, identified herself as a Republican and said, "I'm voting for Barack Obama," the crowd cheered and Biden earnestly said, "Thank you so much."
The Obama campaign billed the event as a town hall focusing on women and the economy, and in his opening remarks Biden called attention to his drafting of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act.
"There is nothing I have done in my political life that has meant more to me, that has been more consequential," Biden said.

Click here to read more...

Senator Obama focuses on women voters in New Philadelphia, OH

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:09:36 EDT

Obama Campaigns In Eastern Ohio

Thursday, September 4, 2008

WBNS-10 TV Central Ohio

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — Senator Barack Obama spend part of the day Wednesday campaigning in eastern Ohio.
Obama spoke before an audience of nearly 300 Tuscarawas County before heading to a farm in Jefferson County.
In Tuscarawas County, Obama focused his message on women voters, ONN's Brian McIntyre reported.
"There are too many women who are working at minimum wage pinching pennies and struggling to afford good health care," said Obama supporter Gabrielle Neavin.
While speaking at the Kent State University branch campus in New Philadelphia, Obama says he agrees.
"The other party and John McCain don't get it," said Obama.
The democrat claims he does get it, largely because he himself was raised by a young single mother.
"She had support from her parents, but it was tough, and it was pretty much tough all the way through my teenage years," said Obama. "There were times when she had to take jobs that paid the minimum wage."
With that in mind, Obama says his plan to increase the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011 would benefit 397,000 Ohio women.
Under the plan, 2.7 million Ohio women and their families would receive an additional $500 to cut taxes and 195,000 women would benefit from his plan to offer child care tax breaks.

Click here to read more

PHOTOS: Dorothy Height and Michelle Obama in Denver

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:59:35 EDT

Civil rights leader Dorothy Height and Michelle Obama stole a few minutes together in Denver at the Democratic Convention...

10 WAYS YOU CAN HELP ELECT BARACK OBAMA OUR NEXT PRESIDENT!

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:00:38 EDT

Help us recruit, register and educate women across the country!
No matter how busy we are, we can all help Barack win by using these simple ideas and easy-to-reach goals!

1.     WEAR your Barack Obama pin wherever you are: You are an ambassador for Barack wherever you go – wear your pin to strike up conversation in line at the grocery store, the gas station or anywhere.

2.     RECRUIT 10 undecided women you know to vote for Senator Obama: Email or call them each week to follow up with them through the election on Nov. 4th and make sure that they get out to vote!

3.     REGISTER 5 women you know to vote: Make sure other women for Obama can cast a ballot on November 4th! For more information on registering to vote in your state, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/voteforchange

4.     JOIN WFO and get updates from the campaign: Go to www.women.barackobama.com to sign up.

5.     VOLUNTEER on Women’s Wednesdays: Visit your local field each Wednesday (or any other day…) and bring at least one friend along you to volunteer. Make calls, canvass, and write postcards to undecided women! To find your local field office, go to the “States” tab at www.barackobama.com and click on your homestate.

6.     WRITE a letter to the editor: Tell others in your community why you support Barack for President. To submit a letter online to your local papers, enter your zip code into our letter-writing tool: http://my.barackobama.com/wfoletters

7.     EXPLORE AND JOIN MyBO groups and communicate with other women with similar interests: Are you a nurse for Obama? The “MyBO” social networking tools allow you to create or join groups of women across the country with similar interests. Go to: www.my.barackobama.com for more information.

8.     HOST A HOUSE PARTY: Women to women communications on behalf of Barack is critical to growing support across the country. Invite supporters and undecided women to gather at your home and talk about what’s at stake in this election. You can watch the WFO video (available at www.women.barackobama.com) or watch one of the debates. To organize a House party, go to the Women for Obama Event Guide: http://my.barackobama.com/wfoeventguide.

…or a PHONE BANK party: Get a group of friends together to reach undecided women, or make calls on your own. Go to the Event Guide link above to learn more about how to host a phone bank party and make calls.

…or a POSTCARD writing party: Write handwritten messages to undecided women about why they should support Senator Obama in the fall. Make a goal to write 100 or 200 at each party, then stamp them and turn them in to your local field office. They’ll take care of the rest! Use the Event Guide link above learn more about the WFO postcard program.

9.     TRAVEL to a BATTLEGROUND state: Spend a weekend or two – over even a week or more if you can to help us reach women in these key states! Stay tuned for the WFO volunteer travel program, but start marking your calendars! For more information, watch your WFO emails or email women@barackobama.com.

10. DON’T FORGET: MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA ON NOVEMBER 4TH!

Speaker Pelosi talks about role women leaders will play in the election

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:11:48 EDT

Pelosi sees Dem's women leaders as key to Obama win

By Jeffrey Young

The Hill - 08/23/08

DENVER – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi predicted Saturday that female Democratic leaders will help unify the party by getting disgruntled supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton to back Barack Obama.
Beginning with speeches by Sen. Clinton (N.Y.) and other women at the Democratic convention here next week, the party’s women will come out strongly for Sen. Obama (Ill.) throughout the campaign, said Pelosi (Calif.), who holds the highest position in the federal government ever occupied by a woman.
Addressing reporters at a pre-convention luncheon sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, Pelosi predicted that the Obama campaign would be able to win over Clinton’s supporters before the election. She stressed, though, that, if they failed to do so, it would be their own fault.
“I believe that women will see that they have the most to gain by the election of Barack Obama and the most to lose by the election of John McCain,” Pelosi said. The differences between Obama and Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) are like “night and day” on issues such as healthcare, education and the war in Iraq, she said.
“I am very sure that we will leave this convention with all the enthusiasm in the world and the greatest unity,” Pelosi said.
The Democratic Party and the Obama campaign need to be sensitive to lingering discontentment of Clinton’s supporters, Pelosi added. “It’s hard to lose,” she said. The Speaker had remained neutral throughout the primary process.
The onus falls on the Illinois senator and his supporters to drive home the message that an Obama presidency would be better for them than a McCain administration.
“We have to convey to them, not just at the convention but in the campaign in their states and their communities, what is at stake,” she said.
If Democrats cannot make that case and Clinton’s supporters either back McCain or do not turn out to vote for Obama, the party will have failed, Pelosi said.
“If they think that it’s okay to vote for John McCain, then we haven’t been clear enough in communicating the message of what is at stake here,” she said.

Click here to read more

Pennsylvania Women Uniting for Change

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:46:15 EDT

Hillary Clinton’s former supporters gathered on Tuesday night in homes all across Pennsylvania to hold Unity Parties and watch the Senator’s address. Pennsylvania Women for Obama director Alexandra Traber attended a Unity Party in Montgomery County and shares this report:

Supporters of Barack Obama and former supporters of Hillary Clinton gathered on Tuesday night across Pennsylvania to watch Senator Hillary Clinton’s speech at the Democratic National Convention and to celebrate her historic campaign!

At one of the parties in Montgomery County, the former Hillary supporters donned eye glasses so that they could see this election through “fresh eyes” and continue the fight for equal pay, affordable health care, a strong economy and a brighter future for us all. These women have promised to work just as hard for Senator Obama as they did for Senator Clinton because the stakes in this campaign are just too high not to!

Former Hillary supporters don "fresh eyes" at a Unity Party in Montgomery County!

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz called in from the Democratic Convention floor in Denver to talk about how important it is for women across the state and the country to rally behind our nominee, Barack Obama, and work together to ensure a victory for the Democratic Party in November. She asked that everyone find time in their busy schedules to volunteer, to phone bank and to recruit their friends to join this movement for change.

If you are a Pennsylvania woman for change, please sign up to join PA Women for Obama so that we can keep you up to date on volunteer opportunities and upcoming events! Click here to sign up now.

Missouri Democrats gather for unity and change on Women's Equality Day

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:23:14 EDT

Christian County group hails Obama; Spirits run high as county Democrats congregate in Ozark.

by Donna Baxter
August 27, 2008 - Springfield News-Leader

Ozark -- Isabelle Seelye was born in 1920 -- the year women received the right to vote.
At the age of 24, she recalled proudly, she cast her first vote for Harry Truman.
"Voting age was 21 in those days, and I've been doing it (voting Democratic) ever since," Seelye said.
The 88-year-old Ozark woman was as enthusiastic as anyone in the crowd Tuesday night at Bumstead's in Ozark, where Christian County Democrats gathered for a convention watch party.
They celebrated the anniversary of the 19th Amendment by watching Hillary Clinton give her speech to the Democratic National Convention.
The gathering, several said, emphasized that Democrats in Christian County are unified behind Barack Obama as well as county and state Democratic candidates.
"We're making a change... that's what we're here for," said Ginger Holczer, a member of Missouri Women for Obama.
"We're also here because it's about time the county Democrats came together and start recognizing each other," said Mary Wells.
Both Wells, of Ozark, and Seelye said they were early Clinton supporters but now back Obama 100 percent.
"I don't care if Obama is pink or purple or polka dotted," Seelye said. "He knows what to do and can make the change."

Isabelle, born the year women received the right to vote, is on the left in the photo below...

(Photo Credit: Jerome T. Nakagawa / News-Leader)

Click here to read more!

"Coming Together"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:35:11 EDT

Sarah Granger, a blogger for BlogHer.com, MOMocrats and Huffington Post, is in Denver this week attending the Democratic National Convention. She shared with us her thoughts on the week so far...

Yesterday at the Democratic National Convention was dedicated in large part to women - women who fought to gain the right to vote, women who run for office, and women uniting behind Barack Obama for President.
It's been noted that this Democratic National Convention has included an impressive number of events focused on women, and yesterday highlighted the hard work of women throughout the campaign and history. Today as well, Speaker Pelosi kicked-off the convention role- call and many women spoke on behalf of their states during the historic roll call. Women of the House of Representatives were also highlighted.
This is the first time in our history we have had a viable woman candidate for president and the first time we have a woman Speaker of the House, and both Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton were featured prominently, culminating in Senator Clinton's speech from the Pepsi Center last night. The strong support of women for Senator Obama's candidacy is apparent through the small things, like buttons saying "Hillary supporter for Obama" to the roaring crowds as Senator Clinton rallied throughout the day.
The pervasive cry is for our families - healthcare for all, reviving the economy, pay equality, and bringing the troops home from Iraq responsibly. As Senator Clinton noted, Senator Obama has a strong record of supporting women and families, and as Michelle Obama emphasized in her speeches this week, he will focus on "equal pay for equal work". It's not enough to pay lip service to "women's issues" as often is the case by candidates. Now, it's time to walk our talk and Barack Obama will do that.
Through Women for Obama, the campaign is addressing key issues important to women and families including defending a woman's right to choose, supporting sex education and contraception programs, committing to investing in women-owned small businesses, expanding childcare options, preschool for all, developing innovating school improvement plans, and making college more affordable. That's not all, but these are some of the reasons Senator Clinton released her delegates to Senator Obama. She is confident that he will continue to forge forward and make incredible process in the next administration.
In Michelle Obama's speech Monday night, she emphasized her thoughts about the suffragettes and what they have achieved, and she spoke about how one day her daughters will have children of their own and what she would want for them. Regarding the suffragettes, she exclaimed, "let's devote ourselves to finishing their work." She expressed how she knows Senator Obama will make it easier for women to take care of their children and their ailing parents, and that he will help them continue to fulfill meaningful roles in their communities. Throughout the week, the theme of Barack Obama's leadership on women's issues couldn't be stronger.

WOMEN FOR CHANGE: New Hampshire State Director Mindy Myers

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:23:53 EDT

by Suzanne Charlé

This is the fourth in our series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charlé , a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct the interviews.

At 32, Mindy Myers, New Hampshire state director for the Obama campaign, is a veteran of tough, tight campaigns. Myers, who took a leave of absence from her job as chief of staff to Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, is credited with helping Whitehouse edge out the liberal (and locally popular) Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee in 2006.

As PAC political director for Senate Leader Tom Daschle, Myers became a well-known figure on the Hill. However, she hopes not to repeat some of her campaign experiences: After a stint in the Clinton White House, Myers joined Al Gore’s Presidential campaign as deputy director of constituency outreach. Election eve 2000 found her in Tallahassee, Florida, where she spent 36 days on the recount, before the Supreme Court declared Bush President. “Which is why New Hampshire is so important,” Myers notes. “Gore lost in New Hampshire by just over 7,000 votes. If he had won, there would have been no need for a recount!”

How did you decide to take a leave of absence from your job as chief of staff for Senator Whitehouse?
I believe that this election is so important that I wanted to be involved, to help get Senator Obama into the White House. And Senator Whitehouse has been very supportive – he wants to do whatever it takes to help elect Obama. So he “lent” me to the campaign.
In this campaign, we have an opportunity to make history, to make fundamental – and pressing – changes in the country. Personally, I believe that there are issues very important to women at stake. McCain’s anti-choice positions are a very real motivation for me; I want to protect women’s right to choose when and if they want to have children. If ever I’m lucky enough to have a daughter, I want her to have the rights I now have.

You’ve worked on a number of campaigns. How does the Obama campaign differ?
Senator Obama’s campaign has empowered citizens as no other campaign has. He understood from the beginning that volunteers are the most important element of the campaign. That attitude is very different from the approach of other campaigns, which tend to be top-down. Obama’s stance is clearly based on his experience as a community organizer.
The Obama campaign has harnessed the power of the Internet, so that volunteers can go online to MyBO, create groups, organize actions, use tools provided by the campaign staff to expand their knowledge and to plan strategies that the volunteers think will work best in their communities. To my knowledge, there’s never been a campaign that has used the Internet to this extent.

What are some of the current examples of volunteers in action in New Hampshire?
There is a lot of excitement about the convention. The volunteers are calling and contacting their friends and neighbors and setting up “Convention Watch Parties.” Over the weekend, they organized groups to canvass and knock on doors, to talk about Senator Obama and his policies, and to get others excited about the convention.
Everyone’s involved. Women often bring their children along to the phone banks. There’s a way for everyone to help the campaign. Some bring their children who help us make signs for the campaign offices while their moms make phone calls. High school students come in on Tuesdays to help.

New Hampshire is one state in “liberal” New England that Democrats can’t count on. What challenges do you see in the coming months?
New Hampshire is truly a swing state: In 2000, Gore lost by a little over 7,000 votes. In 2004, New Hampshire swung from Red to Blue, and Kerry won by just over 9,000 votes.
Like the others, this presidential election is going to be extremely competitive, and although New Hampshire only has four electoral votes, it could decide who becomes President. If New Hampshire had gone for Al Gore, the recount in Florida would never have been an issue. Al Gore would have been President!
We have an unprecedented level of staff here and are launching an aggressive ground game – we’re not willing to cede anything to the Republicans. There are 16 field offices, which are attracting a large and tremendously energetic group of volunteers.
Granite Staters are going out and talking, neighbor-to-neighbor about Obama and his polices. There’s also a tradition of volunteers coming in from neighboring states – Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont – to help. We’ve already had over 1,000 volunteers join up to help over the next 70 days.
Every vote will count. We expect a high turn out in the state – probably 740,000 -- but as in the past, the outcome will probably be decided by less than 10,000 votes.
Click here to read the entire interview...

Sen. Obama Welcomes Endorsement of the Business and Professional Women/USA PAC

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:54:34 EDT

Following yesterday's endorsement from the Business and Professional Women/USA PAC, Senator Obama responded with the statement below. The BPW PAC endorsement signals how critical this election will be for its members and shines a light on the stark contrast between Senator Obama and Senator McCain on issues of concern to working women. Senator Obama has a long record of standing up for working women and their families – on everything from pay equity and Family and Medical Leave, to strong support for women-owned businesses. Click here to learn more about the 50-state impact of Sen. Obama's Plan for Working Women.

CHICAGO, IL - Today Senator Obama released the following statement after receiving the endorsement from the Business and Professional Women/PAC:

"Since the early 1980's the Business and Professional Women/USA has led the way in mobilizing women to ensure equality in the workplace. From equal pay, to healthcare and social security benefits, the BPW/PAC has been a consistent voice advocating on behalf of working women and I am honored to have their support because I have been a fighter for their issues," said Senator Barack Obama.
"As a state senator in Illinois I fought for working women and families everywhere - from extending equal pay protections to 330,000 working women to increasing childcare funding and expanding affordable health care to more than 150,000 working parents and their kids. Unlike John McCain, I will stand with women to close the equal pay gap that exists today and ensure that we are doing our part as a nation to help them to balance work and family, from expanding access to adequate afterschool programs to guaranteed sick days. For generations ordinary women have taken on extraordinary odds to give their daughters the chance for more opportunities than they everhad. In so many ways we have succeeded, but in so many areas we have much work left to do and I look forward to tackling these issues as President with the support of BPW/USA and BPW/PAC. "

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Contact: Obama Press Office; (312) 819-2423

Business and Professional Women/USA Endorses Senator Obama for President

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:19:48 EDT

Business and Professional Women/USA PAC issued the following statement today to announce their endorsement of Senator Obama for President. The organization will use its voice to educate its members, and working women across the country, on the contrasts between Senator Obama and Senator McCain on many issues affecting them in this "critical" election....

   Business and Professional Women PAC Endorses Barack Obama for President;

            Points to Strong Support for Working Women and their Families

[August 25, 2008 -- Washington, DC] --Citing Senator Barack Obama’s strong support of working women and their families, BPW/PAC, the political arm of Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) has endorsed Senator Obama for President of the United States.

“The Trustees of BPW/PAC carefully analyzed the positions of both candidates before deciding to endorse Senator Obama,” said BPW/PAC Board of Trustees Chair Terri Freer of Texas. “The Senator’s commitment to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, increase retirement savings opportunities for women, expand paid sick leave and FMLA, along with his support of workplace flexibility and affordable healthcare made it clear that he was the candidate most supportive of our mission to achieve equity for all women in the workplace.”

“In addition, Senator Obama’s assurance that he will ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and his support of reproductive rights, programs to fight violence against women and passage of the Equal Rights Amendment makes it clear that he is committed to ensuring that women’s voices will be heard in his administration,” concluded Board Chair Freer.

“2008 is a critical election for working women. Our wages, our ability to care for our families, our access to health care and our retirement security are at stake,” said Trish Knight of Michigan, BPW/PAC Board Vice-Chair. “That is why BPW/PAC felt it was essential to let working women know which presidential candidate will best promote and protect the rights of workingwomen.”

Established in 1979, the nonpartisan Business and Professional Women Political Action Committee (BPW/PAC) helps shape the national agenda on workingwomen’s issues. Through education, endorsements and financial contributions, BPW/PAC supports federal candidates who will be strong advocates for equity for all women in the workplace.

For more information on BPW/PAC visit www.bpwusa.org.

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Obama Gaining Among Women Voters

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:05:56 EDT

Women can put Obama over the top

by Ruth Marcus, Syndicated Columnist
August 20, 2008

WASHINGTON -- By the time Election Day arrives, you might be forgiven for thinking that Barack Obama's running mate is named Lilly Ledbetter.
OK, I'm exaggerating, but, really, the Obama campaign wouldn't mind.
Ledbetter was on the losing end of a Supreme Court case last year on equal pay. A manager at a Goodyear tire plant in Alabama, she consistently received smaller raises than her male counterparts. The Supreme Court threw out her suit because, the five-justice majority said, she waited too long to complain, even though she didn't know about the pay difference earlier.
Now, a bill to fix this equal pay Catch-22 is pending in Congress -- and the Ledbetter case has emerged as a key piece of Obama's effort to woo women. In particular, working women, less-educated women, older women ...
It's not that Obama has a problem with female voters. To the contrary, he does significantly better among women than men. It sounds paradoxical, but the campaign, lagging badly among white men, may have its biggest growth potential among women voters. Women, especially women without a college education, tend to make up their minds later. Recent polls show twice as many women as men undecided.
Women also account for more than half the electorate: 54 percent of voters in 2004, 52 percent in 2000. Al Gore won women voters by 11 points...
Four years later, with security moms defecting to George W. Bush, John Kerry had just a three-point margin among women. In short, Obama's ability to equal or exceed Gore's vote among women could determine the outcome.
So far, that's looking doable. In a survey released last week, the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that women favored Obama over John McCain by 51 percent to 38 percent, a dramatic improvement from his 47-to-42 advantage in May.

Click here to read more

WOMEN FOR CHANGE: Missouri State Director Buffy Wicks

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:18:30 EDT

By Suzanne Charlé

This is the third in our series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charlé , a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct the interviews.

As political director of the Wake-Up Wal-Mart campaign, Buffy Wicks was so dedicated in her efforts to increase workers’ wages and health-care benefits that one journalist gave her the nickname “Buffy the Wal-Mart Slayer.”

Now, as state director for the Obama campaign, Wicks, 30, is focusing that same fierce determination to introduce Obama to Missourians through the efforts of a “grassroots army.”

How did you decide to join the Obama campaign?
I’d been working as political director for Wake-Up Wal-Mart, a campaign by the UFCW, the union which represents grocery store workers. We fought for better wages and health care, and pushed Wal-Mart for better wages and health care for their workers. Obama addresses all of these issues, and is, at the same time, an inspirational leader. Because of his biography as a grassroots organizer, he has a strong understanding that people make up the campaign: really, strengthening the middle class, helping them be their own advocates. As a field organizer, I value this tremendously.

How does this campaign differ from others you’ve worked on?
Most campaigns pay lip service to “grassroots organizing,” but they don’t really empower activists, they don’t maximize talents of their volunteers—in fact, volunteers are often viewed as a nusance. The beauty of the Obama campaign is that it is built around activists, who believe in the candidate, and themselves; the volunteers are our campaign’s strength and leverage, and the campaign worked hard to get the grass-roots base organized for the primaries. The organizationwas perfected over the course of the primary, and now is being applied to the general campaign.
After the primaries [Wicks was field director in the California primary for Obama, then traveled on to work in Texas as deputy field director], I helped put together the Organizing Fellows Program: 3,500 people volunteered to work in 17 battleground states over the summer—30 hours a week, organizing in their own communities. We trained them in organizing techniques and how best to work with teams of volunteers. We taught them how to build organizational capacity in their community in order to reach every voter in their neighborhood and get the message out about Barack Obama.
The effects of this organizing will last beyond the campaign. It’s a long term structure, based on democratic values that invigorates communities across the country. People can take ownership of the process to fix things locally—clean up that polluted river, push back against proposed cuts in funding for schools – and many of them will have learned how to organize locally on our campaign

Missouri is generally a conservative state. At the same time, it’s known as a bellweather state—for over a century, Missourians have voted for the winner in every presidential election, with the exception of Adlai Stevenson, who lost to Eisenhower in 1956. In this election, what are the challenges are you facing in Missouri, and what are the advantages?
Let’s start with the advantages locally. State leaders are incredible. Sen. Claire McCaskill has been a tremendous asset: She’s so dynamic and so real. And she’s very good on strategy.
In fact, there are many strong women leaders in the state. Culturally, Missouri is the “show me” state: Voters aren’t impressed with frills, they want leaders who are real, who deal with problems, who are direct. That’s why Senator McCaskill has done so well, that that’s why Barack Obama’s message resonates.
Local organizers are great, too. Here in Missouri, we hired many of the Organizing Fellows to be organizers in our 37 offices. They’re the backbone of the campaign. We’ve got major efforts in Kansas City and St. Louis, where we have our headquarters.. Rural communities are also important: we have 25 offices in or near rural communities. The challenge is to get people to know Obama, and what he stands for—“to show them.”

Click here to read more!

Lilly Ledbetter, Pay Equity Pioneer, will address Democratic Convention on Women's Equality Day

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:35:50 EDT

THE 2008 CONVENTION:
AMERICANS GATHERING TO CHANGE THE
COURSE OF A NATION

Pay Equity Pioneer Lilly Ledbetter to Address Convention
Tuesday, August 26th

DENVER – The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced today that Lilly Ledbetter, the voice and face of the pay equity fight in this country, will address the Democratic Convention on Tuesday, August 26th.

“We are honored that Lilly Ledbetter will address the Democratic Convention,” said Senator Barack Obama. “The fact that women are paid less than their male coworkers for doing the same job is unacceptable in the 21st century and counter to both the progress we've made and our shared values as Americans. Lilly Ledbetter's case before the Supreme Court has once again awakened the nation to this discrimination, and it's time we join together to right this wrong and pay women equal pay for equal work."

“The theme of Tuesday night’s program is Renewing America’s Promise, and there is no more critical promise that we can keep to American women than to ensure pay equity,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Permanent Chair of the 2008 Convention. “There is a clear difference between the parties when it comes to pay equity, and this election could not be more critical when it comes to garnering support for reversing the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision in the Ledbetter v. Goodyear case. As American women are called upon to do more and more for their families with less and less resources coming in, the least we can do is to ensure pay equity.”

One of few female supervisors at the Goodyear plant in Gadsden, Alabama for almost two decades, Lily Ledbetter was consistently awarded lower pay raises than her male counterparts. When she finally learned of the discrimination, Ledbetter filed a formal charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), in which she asserted, among other claims, a Title VII pay discrimination claim and a claim under the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Ledbetter’s case went to trial, and the jury awarded her back-pay and approximately $3.3 million in compensatory and punitive damages for the extreme nature of the pay discrimination to which she had been subject.

The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit reversed the jury verdict, holding that her case was filed too late – even though Ms. Ledbetter continued to receive discriminatory pay – because the company’s original decision on her pay had been made years earlier. In a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Alito, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Eleventh Circuit decision and ruled that employees cannot challenge ongoing pay discrimination if the employer’s original discriminatory pay decision occurred outside of the statute of limitations period, even when the employee continues to receive paychecks that have been discriminatorily reduced.

In addition to speaking during Tuesday’s program, Lilly Ledbetter will attend the Women’s Caucus meetings and meet with key leaders throughout Convention week. While Ledbetter will not be making a political endorsement for President, her Convention speech sends a strong message about the high priority Barack Obama and the Democratic Party are making of the pay equity issue.
Senator Hillary Clinton will be the headline primetime speaker on Tuesday night.

"Why I'm a woman for Obama" -- Becky Carroll on BlogHer.com

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:45:48 EDT

Becky Carroll, our very own National Women's Vote Field Director, published her first post on the BlogHer.com website, introducing herself to the 9 million women that are part of the online community and telling them why she is a "Woman for Obama." Check it out!

Why I'm a woman for Obama

by Becky Carroll

As I often say before opening up a conference call or the start of a meeting: I’m a woman for Obama.
But what that means to me has changed since I started working on Senator Obama’s campaign back in October 2007.
I came to the campaign after a long stint as a deputy chief of staff in a Democratic governor’s office. In that role, I spent most of my time working with our team to pass budget and health care initiatives that helped working families who were struggling.
During this time, I had an opportunity to observe Senator Obama at work for a couple of years before he was elected to the U.S. Senate. I always admired his ability to find a way to bring people together that didn’t see eye to eye by finding common ground…quite refreshing, to be honest, since politics is often a contact sport, especially here in Illinois.
Not that he wasn’t willing to get tough – he wasn’t in the habit of backing down on issues he cared about. Before and during my time in the state government he took things on that, had they been in someone else’s hands, may not have become a reality: expanding access to affordable health care for 150,000 working parents and their kids; expanding equal pay protection to 330,000 women in Illinois who weren’t covered by federal regulations; requiring that insurance plans in Illinois cover FDA-approved contraceptives; and providing economic protections to victims of both domestic and gender violence.
These didn’t pass on their own. They passed because Senator Obama built the consensus needed to get these laws on the books.

Click here to read more!

Statement from Senator Obama on the 73rd Anniversary of Social Security

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:47:16 EDT

“On this anniversary of Social Security, let’s reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that Social Security remains a safety net that seniors can count on today, tomorrow, and always. It is impossible to fully measure Social Security’s value for its recipients, as well as for those who look after and love them. Nearly 13 million seniors depend on it each month to keep from falling into poverty, and millions more depend on survivor and disability benefits to protect their retirement.

“As President, I will protect Social Security for today’s seniors and future generations. That means strengthening Social Security’s solvency while protecting middle class families from benefit cuts, tax increases or increases in the retirement age. It means treating Social Security not as a political football or describing it as an “absolute disgrace,” but instead honoring it as the cornerstone of the social compact in this country. And it means opposing efforts to privatize Social Security, as I did when President Bush proposed risky private accounts a few years ago. Privatization is wrong and tears at the fabric of Social Security – the very idea of mutual responsibility – by subjecting a secure, earned retirement to the whims of the market. The Bush privatization plan that Senator McCain now embraces would tell millions of elderly Americans that they’re on their own, putting them at risk of falling into poverty. That’s not what this country is about.

“It’s time to reclaim the idea that in this country, we’re all in it together. That is America’s very promise – and Social Security’s very guarantee. And it requires a President who will change the ways of Washington, protect the people’s interests, and bring Americans together to meet the great challenges of our time. That is exactly the sort of leadership I intend to offer,” said Senator Barack Obama.

Obama links development to treatment of women

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:48:45 EDT

Obama links development to treatment of women: report

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama linked the level of a country's development to the way women are treated in an interview to appear in the US edition of the monthly woman's magazine Marie-Claire.
"The best indicator of how a country is going to develop is how it treats its women and whether it educates its girls," Obama told Marie-Claire. The undated interview is posted on the magazine's website.
There are several ways to deal with countries that do not respect the rights of women, Obama said.
"In a place like Darfur, rape is used as a military weapon, there are no excuses, and you simply don't abide them," he told the magazine.
"When it comes to countries like Saudi Arabia or Pakistan or others in the Middle East where women are still in second-class positions, it is important for us to recognize that the culture is not going to transform overnight.
"But we won't be bashful about speaking out on these issues and affirming a core belief in the equality of women," he said.
"You're not going to do as well economically if all this enormous talent represented in your female population is undereducated and not given the same opportunities as men," he said.

WOMEN FOR CHANGE: Senior Domestic Policy Advisor Melody Barnes

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:55:49 EDT

By Suzanne Charlé

This is the second in our series profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charle', a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct the interviews.

In July, Melody Barnes, 44, joined the Obama campaign as Senior Domestic Policy Advisor. Prior to that, Melody was executive vice president for policy at the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. As chief counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy (1995-2003) Barnes, who received her J.D. from the University of Michigan, focused on civil rights, women’s health and reproductive rights, and religious liberties.

Photo by James Kegley

You have worked in Washington for much of your career. Have you ever worked on a campaign before?
This is the first time I’ve ever worked seriously on a campaign. When I was eight, I sold cupcakes to support the McGovern campaign. When I worked for Senator Kennedy, I would go out on election day, but that was it. I’ve always enjoyed politics and policy, but I focused on the legislative process. I never planned to get involved in a campaign.

What made you change your mind?

I was drawn to Barack Obama’s campaign for the presidency because of his policy ideas, and because he feels strongly that people can be a force for change in government.

I spoke with him in January 2007, one-on-one, and he talked about things I hadn’t heard a Presidential candidate say since I’ve been old enough to vote. He energizes and empowers people to believe that they can make a difference. This obviously comes from his experience as a grass roots organizer.

With serious problems like climate change and a massive deficit, it’s very easy for voters to feel that it’s all too much, that “I can’t do anything,” and so they disengage. Obama speaks movingly about how people can be engaged. As someone who has worked in government, that is meaningful to me.

What is your portfolio as Senior Domestic Policy Advisor?

I’ll work with Heather Higginbottom, policy director, and the rest of the domestic team on policy issues. And I’ll travel around the country, speaking to the media and voters about Obama’s domestic policy agenda, and explaining why it will change their lives.

What are some of the issues you feel are particularly important to women?

Really, all of the issues, but if I have to pick, I’ll say the economy and health care.These issues are top of mind for everyone, particularly women. Many women are heads of households, the breadwinners. They’re struggling in a bad economy, and often they have no health insurance.

Senator Obama’s economic policy promotes job growth and better jobs so that people will be able to share in the ideal of the American Dream and have a concrete reason to believe in it. If we take the bold steps outlined in Senator Obama’s energy proposal, we will grow the economy by five million new jobs – jobs that will stay in the United States – while we also directly tackle our climate change and energy problems. Women are looking for that kind of security for themselves and their families.

As for health care: The health care system is no longer sustainable—it’s a huge burden on individuals who aren’t getting the care they need and on businesses. The squeeze on business is reflected by the scores of business people who are now at the policy table, looking for solutions.

Senator Obama’s policy will provide quality, affordable health care to all. That means:

-       Everyone – including women who take care of themselves and their families – will have access to health care.
-       Preventative care will be readily available.
-       Better management of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and other diseases that plague – and too often kill -- women.
-       Reproductive health care so that women can make informed, conscious decisions about when and whether to start a family. The past eight years have been a disaster.

Click here to read more

Business and Professional Women Survey: "Working Women Favor Obama"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:12:14 EDT

Working Women Favor Obama Over McCain 47% to 33% in Survey
15 Percent of Membership Still Undecided

Atlanta, GA, July 25, 2008 -- More than 2,000 Business and Professional Women/USA members responded to a June 2008 survey on who they would support in the upcoming presidential election. They were asked, “If the election for President were held today, who would you vote for if the choice were between Barack Obama, the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican?” This standard voter choice question, which dates back to 1935 when George Gallup first asked about presidential preferences, yielded some interesting results.
Of those responding 47 percent of BPW/USA members said they would vote for Senator Obama, 33 percent stated they would vote for Senator McCain, 15 percent were undecided and 2 percent said they are going to stay home this year.
In comparison, the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking updates shows the presidential race is even closer, with Barack Obama holding a slight advantage over John McCain, 45 to 43 percent.
Since the survey was taken before the end of the primary season BPW/USA members were also asked how they would vote if the race were between Hillary Clinton and John McCain. On that question, 57 percent of the members said they would vote for Hillary Clinton and 27 percent for John McCain.
BPW/USA President Barbara Henton told members at the BPW/PAC breakfast on Friday, July 25, “There have been polls about how the presidential candidates fare among religious voters, early voters, swing voters, African- American voters and even pet owners. What we wanted to know is how the presidential candidates fared among BPW/USA members.”
Henton continued,,“BPW/USA Women are going to be very important in this election. BPW/USA members are business women, lawyers, professionals working in the law, medicine, government, education and engineering. Twenty-five percent of members are CEOs, executives and managers, and 45 percent are small business owners. BPW/USA is a powerful network of activists and we vote!”
BPW/USA has been meeting at its National Conference in Atlanta, GA July 23 -26. BPW/USA members heard presidential candidate surrogates address issues of importance to workingwomen and their families such as equal pay, the ERA and the Family and Medical Leave on Thursday, July 24. The candidates’ positions were presented by Carly Fiorina representing Senator McCain and Retired Lt. Gen Claudia Kennedy representing Senator Obama.
Founded in 1919, BPW/USA is a multi-generational, nonpartisan membership organization with a mission to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. Established as the first organization to focus on issues of workingwomen, BPW/USA is historically a leader in grassroots activism, policy influence and advocacy for millions of workingwomen.

Michelle's Visit to Kindergarten Class in Norfolk, VA

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:57:39 EDT

Earlier this week, Michelle Obama visited with Virginia military spouses in Norfolk, Virginia, where she participated in a roundtable discussion and learned about the challenges these military spouses face: balancing work, family and regular relocations, while also coping with their loved ones serving in the military far from home.

As part of her trip to Norfolk, Michelle paid a visit to a kindergarten class at the Old Dominion University Child Study Center, where some students have parents serving in the military. Here are a couple of great photos from her visit with the children...

WOMEN FOR CHANGE: Indiana State Director Emily Parcell

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:24:39 EDT

By Suzanne Charle'

Over the next three months, we’ll be profiling women in key positions with the Obama campaign. Suzanne Charle', a supporter in New York City - an independent writer and editor - has volunteered her time and talent to conduct interviews.

Emily Parcell, 27, Indiana state director. A native Iowan, Parcell is a veteran of the 2002 re-election campaign of Sen. Tom Harkin and the 2004 Iowa caucus campaign of Rep. Dick Gephardt. Described by Talking Points Memo as “one of [Team Obama’s] most valued campaign staffers,” Parcell was political director for Obama in Iowa, where “the Illinois Senator secured a huge win that essentially put him on the path to the nomination.”

For those who aren’t familiar with the responsibilities of a state director, what is your day to day like?
As state director, I come up with the overarching goals of the campaign and plan how the campaign will operate in Indiana, making sure all the departments –everything from communications and new media to operations—work together and that goals are being met. In Indiana there will be close to 100 people on the staff.
Every day is different. Outreach is important: Some days I meet with labor leaders, other days with local Democrats on the ballot to strategize. We pool resources, and offer to have our volunteers carry their campaign literature, if it helps. Of course, I track the budget and have daily conference calls with Chicago headquarters – we talk about mail, polling, TV. I’m involved in the decision-making process on all of this.
One interesting challenge is that Indiana has never had a presidential campaign of this operational level, this competitive. Historically, Democrats have been elected statewide, but Indiana hasn’t voted for a Democratic President since 1964 [when LBJ led the ticket]. So there’s really no model of how to run a presidential campaign in Indiana—no plans, no prior budgets, we’re starting from scratch. We’re breaking new ground. For instance, activists weren’t used to having to door knock in July. They’re so excited—but they’re in a state of disbelief.
Indiana is a conservative state, but it is a place where people are conscious of the economy, they’re feeling the pinch: Indiana led the country in jobs lost in June of this year and lost a total of nearly 50,000 in the past year. It’s important that we talk with people who don’t know who Obama is, about what he stands for, what his programs will mean in their everyday lives. Middle-class Hoosiers aren’t worrying about partisan platitudes, they are worrying about how much a tank of gas costs, they’re worrying about how to buy milk for their families.

What sets the Obama campaign apart from others you’ve worked on?
I’ve never worked on a campaign so open to suggestions, from grassroots and field organizers. The heart and soul of the Obama campaign is driven by grassroots. Every other campaign I’ve worked on, programs here handed down from headquarters. In this campaign, there’s room for flexibility and creativity. In many ways, we’ve turned the power over to the supporters. In the Indiana primary, Central Indiana for Obama had 1,100 volunteers: they started on line, they did registration, wrote letters to the editor, all on their own. And they continued to be active after the primary staff left – that’s totally unique.
It’s almost a complete shift in thinking and approach. With training by staff in Chicago and the high quality of materials that are available on line, volunteers can run a self-sustaining campaign with little support from paid staffers on the ground. When I worked for Gephardt, I was on the phone 12 hours a day, asking people to support or volunteer. Now, the volunteers are doing that and paid organizers are truly able to manage the campaign and train volunteers—which in a perfect world is the way a campaign should be!

To read the entire interview, click here.

LIVE VIDEO: Michelle Obama with military spouses at roundtable in Virginia

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:38:54 EDT

Watch a live stream of Michelle Obama talking with military spouses at a town hall event in Norfolk, VA!

Click here and then click on "WAVY Live Streaming Webcast" in the upper left hand side of the screen

Why I'm Backing Barack -- Rep. Tammy Baldwin

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:44:50 EDT

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin released the following statement this week to declare her strong support of Senator Obama and her commitment to electing him as our next President. Congresswoman Baldwin was a major supporter of Senator Clinton in the primary.

Why I'm Backing Barack

By Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

“For years, Democrats have shared a laugh over Will Rogers’ quip, “I belong to no organized party…I’m a Democrat.” But this year’s election is no laughing matter. The Bush/Cheney regime – the most destructive, debilitating, and demoralizing in memory – perhaps even in history – is almost over and this election affords us the chance to write a new chapter in American history…or not. Should we vote for change or accept the status quo? The question could not be more clear. The correct answer could not be more obvious.
The long primary season gave us the opportunity to hear from the candidates and voice our support for one or the other. In that primary season, I endorsed the candidacy of Senator Hillary Clinton and I supported her throughout her historic and well-fought campaign. Senator Clinton and I share an unshakeable commitment to health care for all in this country.
But the primary season is now over and, like Hillary and millions of other Democrats, Independents, and many Republicans, I am proud to support the candidacy of Barack Obama for President. Endorsing Barack was not a difficult decision and it is not based on party affiliation alone. Rather, it is based on my concept of what the promise of America means and on the stark differences between the two candidates.
For me, the promise of America is a commitment to our collective well-being, rather than each struggling to get his or her own. The promise of America is embracing our democracy and protecting it and working to make it operate even better on behalf of the people. The promise of America is in pushing, prodding, and testing our democracy to make it flourish, not chipping away at its very foundation in pursuit of a political agenda or personal gain.

Connie Schultz interviews Michelle Obama

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:53:34 EDT

Connie Schultz, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, had the chance to sit down with Michelle Obama and talk at length about Michelle's devotion to the role of mother while balancing the role of "auditioning for first lady."

When you're trying to schedule an interview with Michelle Obama, one of the first things you notice is the time zone she navigates.
Regardless of where you are calling from, you will heed Chicago's time zone, which is probably best understood as Malia-and-Sasha Time. They are the young daughters of Barack and Michelle Obama. Every interview, every campaign event for their mother is weighed by this test: How will it affect the daily lives of 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha?
Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, helps with child care, but Michelle joins them most days, and the goal on every day is to get home sooner rather than later.
As her communications director, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, stressed, "Michelle wants to be home when they get home from camp."
It is a willful attempt at normalcy in an all-too-abnormal life these days, but she insists that her daughters will not suffer the skyrocket highs and deep-valley lows of her husband's presidential race. Even as she rides the wave in her own travels across the country to raise money and to reach out to women and working-class voters in Ohio, there's a part of Michelle Obama who wants to believe that her family's life hasn't changed. Not too much, anyway.
"We've always been the kind of people who go to the soccer games, shop at Target, go for bike rides and make sure the girls get to the sleepovers they've been invited to," she said in an interview Wednesday. "We still do that, but we usually have a lot of people watching now."

I wanted to talk with Michelle Obama because she is, indeed, auditioning for first lady and a lot of voters don't know much about her beyond media controversies.

Click here to read the entire article...

Women Respond to Michelle's Remarks at Women for Obama Luncheon

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:41:58 EDT

On Monday, Michelle Obama addressed 800 women in Chicago at a "Women for Obama" luncheon. We put together a video of her remarks, for women across the country to watch. Many women wrote in to tell us how Michelle's speech touched them personally. Read what some of them had to say, in their own words:

Janice was moved to make a contribution...

Thanks for the video of Michelle. I will be sending a donation by mail today. I have two little girls just like the Obamas and it is hard juggling all the responsibilities of motherhood and career. Things are tight at home. I wish I could do more than give money for the Obama campaign but at least I am making that sacrifice.

Claire in Boston wrote to say...

Thank you! This is excellent material and came at just the right moment when I was desperate about my upcoming Women for Obama House Party and needing some guidance for how to have what looks like 40 women in my tiny garden on Sunday, August 17. This video/speech and the booklet will be the basis for our discussions and actions.

Rhonda in Maryland said...

Moving, heartfelt, brilliant and courageous. Michelle, we love you and will support you now through November.

Obama campaign launches new site "Low Road Express," in response to McCain campaign tactics

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:10:57 EDT

Obama campaign manager: Buckle up

By John McCormick

The Swamp (Chicago Tribune Washington Bureau) - July 31, 2008

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe charged today that Sen. John McCain's Straight Talk Express has taken a "nasty turn into the gutter" with a new ad that features pop stars Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

Noting that McCain said he is "proud" of the campaign he is running for the presidency during a stop today in Racine, Wis., Plouffe added that he believes the Arizona senator ran into a "ravine in Racine."

"It seems like we hit another low note every day from this campaign," Plouffe said on a conference call with reporters, later adding, "This is not the John McCain voters thought they were going to be seeing in this presidential campaign."

The conference call was pegged to the release of yet another campaign web site. This one, called "Low Road Express," is sponsored by Obama's campaign and claims a mission of documenting and fact-checking McCain attacks.
Plouffe said McCain's campaign is using Republican operative Karl Rove's playbook, but has taken it to a "further extreme." He was joined on the call by Susan Eisenhower, a lifelong Republican and granddaughter of the former president.

"I don't think that these kinds of comments and innuendoes have any place in a presidential campaign of this importance," she said. "I also think that ordinary voters are tired of the kind of swift-boating attempt to bring out the negative side of -- the twisted ways -- that they can create negativity about people."

Sneak Peek at Barack's Interview with Glamour Magazine

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:57:38 EDT

Barack Obama tells Glamour: "Debate me, not Michelle"

On Wednesday, Senator Barack Obama talked to Glamour's editor-in-chief Cindi Leive and answered questions from our readers about his policies and about women's issues. (Thanks to the many of you who submitted those queries!) Here is an excerpt from their conversation, held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana; the complete interview will run in the October issue of the magazine.

GLAMOUR: An AP poll shows that while the positive ratings on Michelle are higher than those of Cindy McCain, her negative ratings are higher as well. I'm curious about how as a husband that makes you feel. Does it mystify you? And what do you want to say to those Americans who don't know the woman that you know?

SENATOR OBAMA: It's infuriating, but it's not surprising, because let's face it: What happened was that the conservative press—Fox News and the National Review and columnists of every ilk—went fairly deliberately at her in a pretty systematic way...and treated her as the candidate in a way that you just rarely see the Democrats try to do against Republicans. And I've said this before: I would never have my campaign engage in a concerted effort to make Cindy McCain an issue, and I would not expect the Democratic National Committee or people who were allied with me to do it. Because essentially, spouses are civilians. They didn't sign up for this. They're supporting their spouse. So it took a toll. If you start being subjected to rants by Sean Hannity and the like, day in day out, that'll drive up your negatives.

Everybody who knows Michelle knows how extraordinary she is. She's ironically the most quintessentially American woman I know. She grew up in a "Leave it to Beaver" family. She is the best mother I know. And our kids are a testimony to that, because she's really had to raise them, oftentimes without me being there. She's the most honest person I know, she's smart, she's funny, so yeah, it infuriates me. And I think that it is an example of the erosion of civility in our political culture that she's been subjected to these attacks, and my attitude is that the people who have attacked her in the ways that they have...if they've got a difference with me on policy, they should debate me. Not her.

Click here to read more!

Senator Obama visits with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:35:09 EDT

Earlier today, Senator Obama met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Below is the campaign's statement on their discussions, as well as a photo from their visit...

Earlier this morning, Senator Obama had a warm and productive conversation with Chancellor Merkel. They covered a wide range of foreign policy issues, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, the Middle East peace process, Russia, and NATO. Senator Obama offered an overview of his trip and key impressions from discussions with leaders in the region, focusing, in particular, on the urgency of stopping Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. They also discussed climate change and broader economic challenges. He applauded the Chancellor’s leading role in promoting international efforts on climate change and affirmed his own pledge to pursue an 80% reduction in US green house gas emissions by 2050.

Click here to read more about the visit

Michelle Obama with Washington State Women!

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:53:39 EDT

State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles of Seattle, WA, wrote in to tell us about a fundraiser she attended last week with her 92-year-old mother in support of Governor Christine Gregoire....

Over 1600 people attended and heard Michelle give a tremendous speech supporting Governor Gregoire’s re-election and about her early support of Michelle’s husband, Barack Obama in his campaign for the Democratic nomination.

Michelle Obama with Washington State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles (Seattle) and her 92-year-old mother, Elizbeth Kohl, with Governor Chris Gregoire at her re-election fundraiser held in Seattle, July 17.

"Obama a feminist, his half-sister tells women" - Palm Beach Post

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:49:59 EDT

Barack's sister, Maya, stumped on his behalf all over the state of Florida last week, focusing on female voters and discussing Senator Obama's support for the issues that impact their lives...

By Dara Kam - Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau
Thursday, July 17, 2008
TALLAHASSEE — Barack Obama's half-sister is campaigning for the Democratic presidential hopeful for the first time in Florida, hoping to persuade Hillary Clinton supporters to switch their allegiance.
Maya Soetoro-Ng stumped for her brother in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, headlining a "Women for Obama" event in Tampa on Thursday. She was scheduled to meet with educators in Largo today.
Soetoro-Ng wants to familiarize female voters in the Sunshine State with Obama's record of supporting women's and children's issues and convince them that he is a feminist, she said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Obama agreed not to campaign in Florida before the January primary because the state broke Democratic Party rules, so voters did not have an opportunity to learn about that side of him, Soetoro-Ng said.
She said she wants to offer "an invitation" to Clinton's former supporters.
"I think it's important that we reassure them that Barack is going to be a really powerfully supportive candidate for them," she said.

Click here to read the entire article.

"Let's Talk" -- Michelle Obama on BlogHer.com

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:28:31 EDT

Today, Michelle Obama published her first blog entry on BlogHer.com, introducing herself to the nation's number-one community for and guide to blogs by women. BlogHer's mission is to create opportunities for women who blog to pursue exposure, education, community and economic empowerment. As of July, 2008, more than 26,000 members have listed over 15,000 blogs by women on BlogHer.com.

"Let's Talk"

by Michelle Obama

Hi everybody,
I’m excited to be posting on BlogHer. Not only because blogging is something I’ve actually been able to beat my daughters to; but because it gives me the opportunity to tell you a little bit about them, my husband, myself, and our experiences traveling all over this great country.

Over the course of this campaign, I’ve been hosting roundtable discussions with working women all across America. I’m there to talk about my husband, of course – but more importantly, I’m there to listen. We talk about what it’s like to play multiple roles at once and what it’s like to feel stretched thin between the demands of a career and family.

And of course, we talk about our children. How they’re the first thing we think about when we wake up in the morning, and the last thing we think about when we go to bed at night. I know that no matter where I am – work, the campaign trail, wherever – my girls are always on my mind.

What I find is that our stories are similar. But what I also hear at each roundtable is that women are struggling. They are working hard and playing by the rules, doing the most important job of raising the next generation, but somehow can never get ahead. They’re desperate for change.

I’ve heard from mothers struggling to make ends meet because their salaries aren’t keeping up with the cost of groceries. But if they take a second job, they can’t afford the additional cost of childcare. Or the moms who are nervous about taking time from their jobs to care for a sick child. Or the moms-to-be who are scared of getting fired if the boss finds out they’re pregnant.

Then there are women who work hard every day doing the same jobs as men, but earning less. And the military families, who struggle to make ends meet with one paycheck where there used to be two. They welcome their loved ones home with full hearts but little support from their government for their service.

I hear similar stories everywhere I go. These struggles – the struggles of working women and families across America – aren’t new to me or to any of us. And they’re certainly not new to Barack.

Click here to read more of Michelle's blog!

McCain: Viagra or Birth Control

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:25:15 EDT

This video captures a reporter questioning John McCain on comments earlier this week from Carly Fiorina, one of his top campaign advisors. Ms. Fiorina suggested that it is unfair for health insurance companies to cover Viagra and not birth control -- meanwhile, Senator McCain previously voted against requiring health insurance companies to cover birth control.

Click here to watch Senator McCain's response...

Barack Obama is 100% Pro-Choice. Period.

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EDT

Please take the time to read this superb blog piece written by Erin Kotecki Vest, Political Director and Election '08 Producer for BlogHer.com and a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.

PunditMom is considering NOT voting, Cynematic has warning bells blazing, Gloria Feldt is closing her wallet, and AnnRose is recounting her days at a hospital specializing in late abortion.
This is too big.
This has too many women wondering.
I am not comfortable wondering, and I have no intention of wondering my way to November.
I'm taking action.
I talked with Pam Sutherland today, President and CEO of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council.
We each had one thing on our minds and we both understood it's importance. There was no small talk. There was no chit-chat.
This conversation was arranged knowing what was at stake. She knew what she needed to say, and I knew what I hoped to hear.
And now I get to tell you.

Pam Sutherland does NOT have ONE doubt in her mind that Senator Barack Obama is anything but 100% pro-choice.
And she should know.

Click here to read the entire piece.

"Women's week" on the campaign trail for Obama and McCain

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:51:59 EDT

AP: For Obama, McCain, varied paths on women's issues

By LIZ SIDOTI and CHARLES BABINGTON

Associated Press Writers

NEW YORK (AP) -- It's women's week on the presidential campaign trail, judging from the attention that Barack Obama and John McCain are lavishing on female voters and issues especially important to them.
Obama, campaigning here Thursday with former Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, criticized McCain's opposition to an equal-pay Senate bill, his support for conservative-leaning Supreme Court justices and his abortion-rights objections.
"I will never back down in defending a woman's right to choose," Obama said at a "Women for Obama" breakfast fundraiser.

Click here to read the entire article

Clinton and Obama Women's Breakfast in NYC

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:26:08 EDT

Clinton and Obama Reach Out to Women Donors
By Perry Bacon, Jr.
July 10, 2008
In a bit of a role reversal, Hillary Clinton was funny, while Barack Obama was full of policy details as they appeared together at a fundraiser in the Big Apple for the second straight day.

Speaking before Obama at a "Women for Obama" fundraiser, Clinton talked about her post-campaign life, one where she is "kind of" rested....

At the fundraiser, which targeted Democratic women and drew more than 2,000, the Illinois senator focused on his commitments to women's issues. Obama heaped praise on Clinton, but gave a policy-laden speech, promising to appoint federal judges who would defend abortion's rights, expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act and make sure women are paid equal to men if are in the same kinds of jobs.

Click here to read more

The Truth About McCain's Record on Birth Control -- NARAL Pro-Choice America Press Release

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:34:54 EDT

Carly Fiorina Slips Up on McCain’s Record

McCain adviser brings up insurance coverage for birth control, even though he voted against such coverage

Washington, D.C. – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the organization is sending a copy of Sen. John McCain’s voting record on women’s health issues to Carly Fiorina, an adviser to the anti-choice candidate, who yesterday made a statement in direct conflict with McCain’s position on birth control.

According to the Washington Post, during a discussion with reporters about women and health insurance, Fiorina said, "a real, live example which I've been hearing a lot about from women: There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice." [Washington Post, July 8, 2008]

Fiorina’s comments are in direct contradiction with McCain’s record. In fact, McCain voted against a proposal that would have required insurance companies to cover prescription contraception in the same way they pay for Viagra. [Clinton/Reid amendment to FY’06 Budget Resolution, S.Con.Res.18, 3/17/05.]

“If Carly Fiorina is so concerned about making sure women have choices that include coverage for birth control, than she should support the only presidential candidate who actually supports health insurance coverage for birth control…Barack Obama,” Keenan said. “Women are concerned about health-care inequities—and that’s why we are working to elect Sen. Barack Obama as the next president. Unlike McCain, who has voted against family planning 22 times, Sen. Obama supports legislation that would ensure fairness in insurance coverage for birth control, which represents one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and thus reduce the need for abortion. That’s a clear difference between these candidates.”

Keenan cited McCain’s extensive record of votes against birth control, including a vote to eliminate the Title X family-planning program, which provides millions of women with health-care services ranging from birth control to breast cancer screenings. [Weicker motion to table Helms amendment to FY’89 Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill, H.R.4783, 7/25/88; motion to invoke cloture on Family Planning Amendments Act, S.110, 9/26/90.] For a complete listing of McCain’s votes against family planning, please visit

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/files/mccain_fact_sheet.pdf

In addition, Keenan said McCain’s votes against birth control would be especially troublesome for the unique audience of women voters NARAL Pro-Choice America is targeting: Independent and Republican pro-choice women in suburban and exurban swing districts that will play a pivotal role in the presidential election. Recent polling confirms how, once these voters know McCain’s opposition to a woman’s right to choose and votes against family planning, they will switch parties to support Sen. Barack Obama. The polling may be found at the following link:

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/files/naralpollmemo061608.pdf

###

Planned Parenthood Endorses Barack Obama

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:22:10 EDT

PRESS RELEASE: Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Barack Obama

Applauds Obama's Record of Standing Up for Women's Health Care

July 7, 2008

Washington, DC - The Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today announced its endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States.
"The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Barack Obama for president of the United States," said Action Fund president Cecile Richards. "He is a passionate advocate for women's rights, and has a long and consistent record of standing up for women's health care. As president, he will improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman's right to choose, support comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family planning services and breast cancer screenings."
On a conference call today with Planned Parenthood Action Fund members from all across the country, Sen. Obama said, "As president I'll make sure women have access to affordable health care, including affordable reproductive services. I thank you for your endorsement and your leadership."
This marks only the second time in Planned Parenthood's history that the Action Fund has made an endorsement in a presidential campaign. Last month, the board of the national Planned Parenthood Action Fund voted unanimously to recommend endorsing Senator Obama. That recommendation was ratified by Planned Parenthood's local action organizations, which represent the interests of all 100 Planned Parenthood affiliates.
Sen. Obama has received a 100 percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. As a state senator in Illinois and a U.S. senator, Sen. Obama has a strong voting record when it comes to women's health.
- Sen. Obama is the co-sponsor of multiple pieces of legislation that focus on common sense prevention measures to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, including the Prevention First Act; the Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act; and the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act.
- Sen. Obama supports affordable quality health care, including family planning services, breast cancer screenings, and other preventive health care that Planned Parenthood provides.
- Sen. Obama supports a woman's right to choose and is a co-sponsor of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify and protect a woman's right to choose.
- Sen. Obama supports expanding access to affordable birth control and is a co-sponsor of the Prevention Through Affordable Access Act, which would restore affordable birth control to safety-net clinics and college health clinics.
- Sen. Obama is a champion of family planning access for women worldwide and voted to repeal the destructive global gag rule, which bars any U.S. aid for international family planning organizations that perform or promote abortions.
- Sen. Obama supports medically accurate comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and voted in favor of legislation to fund medically accurate sex education.
In contrast, Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, has a zero percent voting record on women's reproductive health and has stated he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade. In 25 years in Washington, DC, Sen. McCain has cast 125 votes against women's health.
Earlier this year, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund launched its One Million Strong Campaign, a grass-roots program to educate voters about women's health care issues, and turn out one million pro-choice and pro-women's health care voters in the fall. From house parties to online education to one-on-one conversations, the One Million Strong Campaign will educate voters about women's health issues and turn out women voters, a key demographic in the election.
Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider and educator to millions of women and young adults, with a presence in all 50 states. One in four American women visits a Planned Parenthood health center sometime during her lifetime.
"It has never been more important to elect a president who will partner with us in our work," said Richards. "And there is no organization better positioned to reach out to women voters than the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. We will do all that we can to support Barack Obama and ensure that all women have access to quality, affordable health care."

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Oak Park, IL

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:22:15 EDT

Jerry from Oark Park, IL sent in a report and some great photos from Oak Park's very well-attended Unite for Change gathering on Saturday:

West Suburban Team Obama, supported by the Democratic Party of Oak Park, Illinois, hosted a group of 100 people, who were completely engaged by the powerful video of Barack Obama in his personal, heartfelt interactions with staff and volunteers, after he had secured the nomination. Everyone in the room shared in those emotions and each of us felt the imperative which he presented...we cannot let down any of the people to whom promises have been made.
We heard comments from Valerie, a staffer with the Clinton campaign who helped everyone understand the importance of coming together in working for shared goals. In the small group discussions which followed the video, we shared our reasons for supporting Obama, focused on our hopes and dreams, and spoke up to volunteer our time and skills as we "united for change."
Many Team Obama volunteers had taken to the road to canvass in other states during the primaries. They were able to relate these experiences to the Highways of Hope program, beginning the organizing for our efforts in nearby battleground states. In addition, to the Highway of Hope forms, participants submitted a new list of ways they could help locally.

VIDEO: The Bush McCain Challenge -- Planned Parenthood

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:15:52 EDT

Check out this great video put together by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. They interviewed folks on the street to see just how much people still need to learn about John McCain and his positions -- even people that consider themselves generally well-informed!

Click here to watch the Bush-McCain Challenge!

Barbra Streisand's Endorsement

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:04:33 EDT

Barbra Streisand endorsed Senator Obama for President yesterday:

Streisand Backs Obama - Reuters Blog

Likening Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama to a political “trailblazer,” singer Barbra Streisand has become the latest Hollywood celebrity to join the Obama campaign bandwagon, switching from her past support of Sen. Hillary Clinton.
“Barack has awakened in many of us the notion that we can again be hopeful, enabling us to believe that we are capable of lifting our brothers and sisters out of poverty, of providing quality education for all our children, of ending this unjust war in Iraq and bringing our troops home streisand.jpgsafely,” Streisand wrote on Tuesday in a posting on her Web site...
“He’s reminded us ‘yes we can’…we can make the transition from fossil fuels to green energy; we can take care of our elderly and make sure that good healthcare is not just a perk for a few, but a right for every man, woman and child,” she said. ”We are experiencing not just a presidential campaign, but a movement; a movement of inspired young people who have been cynical about politics for too long.”

Click here to read more!

"Insights from Unity, NH"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:12:42 EDT

Kathy Gillett attended the Clinton-Obama rally last week in Unity, and wrote to share some of her thoughts on the day.

You can watch the speeches, and sift through the spin, but the stories that should be shared from Unity, N.H. were told on the buses and bleachers where ordinary people explained why they had invested a year and a half of their energy and talents in support of an historic presidential candidate. On the ride up from Sunapee, I sat behind two women from Boston, close friends who had volunteered full time, one for Obama, and the other for Clinton. The Clinton supporter had sent in money whenever she could, and volunteered in four states. She respected, admired, loved her candidate and she was still not ready to channel that activism into Barack's candidacy, though she did plan to vote for him.
There has always been a great deal of listening involved in this campaign business, but never has it been more important for us to listen, empathize, and validate all that Hillary's supporters are feeling right now. The reality is, these are our people. They share our disdain for what the Bush administration has done to our environment, our civil liberties, our reputation as a just world leader, our complete disregard for education, health care, and even decent housing for the least among us.
As I listened to my new friend, I realized how powerful her story was. I told her that she confirmed Barack's perceptions that we are good and decent people, that we can find common ground on the things that matter, and that we can work together towards specific goals. I told her that Hillary held Barack accountable for his revolutionary vision allowing Americans to come to know the depth and substance that underlies his soaring rhetoric. She challenged him, and he is a better candidate, and will be a better president because she expected so much.
I didn't see her afterwords, but I have to believe Hillary then gave her exactly what she needed in that field in Unity New Hampshire: permission to walk forward together. I heard many other stories yesterday, but two stand out, maybe because they are related. There was the woman who first met Barack at a house party last summer. He asked her "Now why are you here?" She told him, "Because I wanted to look you in the eyes to see if you were an honest man." She said his eyes actually welled up, then he told her, "You will have to judge me by my actions, not just my words." A few minutes later, I saw the Mayor of Unity who had welcomed us all with a charming, genuine account of how his town had prepared for this day, and how he, a life long Republican who voted for John McCain, was rethinking that choice and he just "might be part of this change."

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Washington, D.C.

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:28:48 EDT

E. Faye Williams and Amy Billingsley gave us this report (and great photos!) from their Unite for Change event in Washington, DC:

Black Women for Obama held a Unite for Change event on Saturday. The sponsoring group included Stephanie Myers, Toni Ford, Amy Billingsley, Dr. Louise White Cashin and Dr. E. Faye Williams. Barbara Williams-Skinner also played a leadership role. The event attracted more than 100 guests. So many people showed up that the program had to be split into two shifts to get everybody in! Everybody was eager to go to work for a November victory. Three Obama fellows came, including Jessica Levy. Kim Morton of DC for Obama and Jessica invited the guests to participate in voter registration in Virginia to turn it into a blue state!

At least 15 Republican women--many high ranking from Nixon, Ford and Reagan Administrations--, a couple of Hillary's former staff and many supporters, and two of Barack's law school classmates (who told us personal stories about Barack from when they were in school and when he and Michelle were dating). One FOB from Arkansas (Kay Goss) came. Women from New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, Missouri, Virginia, Maryland, DC, etc. came--all eager to work for Barack. Some left planning to go back home and duplicate what the event. From 2 families, 3 generations attended. A DNC Committee Member stopped by, as well as two finance committee members and lots of guests who've been Obama supporters from day one who warmly welcomed all newcomers!

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Indianapolis, IN

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:11:48 EDT

Michelle Soruco hosted a Unite for Change party in Indianapolis, IN. She writes:

Wow, we had a great party. We had 3 news networks present including a really good story on WISHTV Channel 8 in Indianapolis. We had about 30 adults and half a dozen or so kids ...
Overall it was a really great party. People were happy to get involved and are feeling empowered. I had several people there that had not felt political before and have never campaigned before. This was an awesome experience!

Read the news coverage Michelle's event received:

Obama supporters gather for "Unite for Change" parties
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Obama Campaign kicked off in Indiana holding parties across the state Saturday called "Unite for Change."

Saturday's party had all the makings of a regular summer get together; the food, the camaraderie, the favors. But this particular party has a goal, getting a democrat in the White House.

"I just want the democrats to win," Hoosier voter Don Hanlin said.

Indiana is a state the Obama Campaign is taking seriously.

"Oh my gosh, my vote's going to count and I remember '68, the campaign in '68. I participated in that. I thought it was very exciting," Hanlin said.

And they are relying on people like Michelle Soruco to get the ball rolling.

"I've never been political before and this is candidate I feel strongly about," party host Michelle Soruco said.
Click here to read more and to see photos from the party:
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?s=8574227

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Morristown, NJ

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:45:24 EDT

From Kristin Elliott, co-organizer of a Unite for Change event in Morristown, NJ:

Co-hostesses Judy Martinez and Kristin Elliott held a Unite for Change gathering in Morristown, NJ attended by 20 neighbors and friends. The highlight of the late afternoon meeting was the recounting of everyone's reasons for supporting Barack in the upcoming election.
Several Independents and Republicans noted that they will be casting their first votes for a Democrat, ever this fall. Former Hillary Clinton supporters said they will work hard to get Barack elected.
Then, people volunteered to help with getting out the vote, voter registration and hosting similar events going forward.
Overall, the group agreed that the grass roots, community spirit of small get togethers gives this election year a feeling unlike any in recent memory.

UNITE FOR CHANGE: San Francisco, CA

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:26:39 EDT

Host Clem Clarke gathered a great group of women at her home in San Francisco, CA:

Today, eleven fabulous women/sister friends, plus two young up and coming sisters (our future) from all walks of life and from very diverse backgrounds gathered at my home to discuss how, we as women, are going to impact the 2008 political process.
It was great to have in attendance one or more Sen. Clinton women supporters, as we collectively United for Change. At the end of the event, we all walked away feeling empowered, empassioned and encouraged to do whatever it takes between now and November to take back the White House.
As I closed the first of many gatherings to come, I shared one of my favorite quotes from Helen Keller that says "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." That said, we all must do our part as individuals to bring about the change this country and world needs and desires.

Well said, Clem!

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Owensboro, KY

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:07:50 EDT

Host Stephanie Rommell brought folks in Owensboro, KY together to unite for Change!

Like Barack Obama himself, our Unite for Change meeting was an inspiration. Sixteen people attended including me, the host Stephanie Rommel, in my Owensboro, Kentucky home June 28, 2008. Obviously Kentucky has not been a hot bed of Democratic activity, but we are off to the races! I was extremely pleased to have three registered Republicans attend, and another from Henderson, Kentucky drove more than 30 miles to be with us.
The issue flyer handouts were appreciated as guests said they would distribute copies to others still unclear about where Barack stands. Touching stories and experiences about what brought us to this point were shared by all. The Unite for Change video was a big hit as guests declared the folks on the video were "everyday people - just like us!"
What we all took away from this is the fact that we want this to continue. We've adopted a proactive "Yes We Can" Kentucky attitude and definitely intend to band together GROWING with each additional meeting and new participants throughout Western Kentucky!

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Meredith, NH

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:47:07 EDT

From Kate Miller, host of a Unite for Change event in Meredith, NH:

No, not Unity, NH, but Meredith, NH, where 60 folks gathered with our two female State Senators and Betsy Myers from Obama for America to talk about working together for Barack in New Hampshire. At a home where so many house parties were held before the January primary, we were thrilled to see so many new faces and meet so many new supporters, especially women new to the political process. We talked a lot about how short the time frame is, considering NH is used to hosting its candidates for a year before we vote.
And we talked about how critical it is to unify and bring all Democrats and Independents together in the short time frame we have before us. Betsy assured us that the unity between the candidates is real; they were friends before the campaign and have simply picked up where they left off before their respective campaigns took them on different paths. This path is one we will travel together, and the group in Meredith, NH, tonight signalled its readiness to do just that!

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Parsippany, NJ

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:59:15 EDT

Sue Dinetz gave us a great report of the Unite for Change event she organized and hosted in her hometown of Parsippany, NJ.

I hosted a wine and cheese reception last night and had about 28 guests. Some of our favorite local politicians stopped by: former Mayor Mimi Letts; Tom Wyka, Congressional candidate for District 11 and the Chairman of the Parsippany Democratic Committee, Michael Soriano.

A couple of Sue's highlights:

We recruited a husband and wife volunteer team who are committed to working hard at the grassroots level to see that Barack Obama is our next President
Another person committed to host a Voter Registration Drive in Mountain Lakes, NJ
Brian Block, an Obama Fellow, registered a Voter which made for a great photo op:

And perhaps the most memorable moment:

The evening culminated as my husband sat down at the piano and played "It's a Grand Old Flag" and the song was bellowed out with great patriotism by Blacks, White, Latinos, Democrats and a few Republicans. Barack was proved correct, once again, when he stated that the differences amongst us are much smaller than our commonalities. Not one among us, could carry a tune!

NARAL Pro-Choice America Responds to McCain's Comments on Judges in AP Story

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:48:51 EDT

Press Release from NARAL Pro-Choice America

June 27, 2008

The Associated Press is reporting that John McCain is criticizing those who would question his record on judges. To be clear: John McCain's record and public statements read like a Who's Who List of anti-privacy judges.

In short, if you want to know about McCain's philosophy on judges, just ask right-wing activist Gary Bauer:

"I wanted a commitment from either George Bush or John McCain that if elected he would appoint pro-life judges to the Supreme Court... Bush said he had no litmus test, and his judges would be strict constructionists. But McCain, in private, assured me he would appoint pro-life judges."
- Gary Bauer, a social conservative politician who endorsed McCain in his 2000 presidential bid, The New Yorker, May 2005

McCain is using code language to shore up the support of right-wing judicial activists. Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin recently wrote about McCain's speech on judges. Here is an excerpt of Toobin's analysis:

Nor were his [McCain's] references to penumbras and emanations accidental. Those words come from Justice William O. Douglas’s 1965 opinion for the Court in Griswold v. Connecticut, in which the Justices recognized for the first time a constitutional right to privacy, and ruled that a state could not deny married couples access to birth control. The “meaning of life” was a specific reference, too. It comes from the Court’s 1992 opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed the central holding of Roe v. Wade, and forbade the states from banning abortion. In short, this one passage in McCain’s speech amounted to a dog whistle for the right—an implicit promise that he will appoint Justices who will eliminate the right to privacy, permit states to ban abortion, and allow the execution of teen-agers.

Here is more information about McCain's record on judges:

McCain voted to confirm four anti-choice Supreme Court nominees, including Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, and Chief Justice John Roberts. All three voted to uphold the Bush administration's Federal Abortion Ban. www.MeetTheRealMcCain.com

McCain's website (http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm)
includes anti-choice rhetoric often used to undermine the constitutional right to privacy: "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench."

"I’m proud that we have Justice Alito and Roberts on the United States Supreme Court. I’m very proud to have played a very small role in making that happen." McCain explained further that he "will try to find clones of Alito and Roberts" to fill future court vacancies.
[Transcript, Republican Presidential Candidates Participate in a Debate, May 3, 2007, and Carl Tobias, On judges, don’t doubt McCain’s conservatism: He pledges to appoint clones of Alito and Roberts, Christian Science Monitor, February 11, 2008.]

Obama and Ant Traps: the Feminist Candidate

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:27:45 EDT

Obama and Ant Traps: the Feminist Candidate

by Susan Neiman

Huffington Post - June 27, 2008

Obama got my attention with ant traps -- not the 2004 convention speech many view as a model of eloquence. True, "We worship an awesome God in the blue states" did a masterful job of returning the word "awesome" from its tawdry place in contemporary culture to its original meaning. But it was The Audacity of Hope that first really struck me -- as much for its stories as for its policy discussions. With remarkably unpolitical openness, Obama wrote about the strain that becoming a senator had put on his marriage. He had married a woman as tough and as smart as he is, and both were committed to equal balance -- hard enough, as we know, with normal jobs, but when one partner is commuting to the U.S. Senate, and the other is keeping the home fires burning while keeping up a fast-paced career of her own, things can get rough. The Senator described the night he proudly called home to tell his wife about a bill he'd cosponsored to restrict black-market arms sales, eager to share his success with the woman he loves. Michelle's response was simple: "We have ants in the kitchen. And the bathroom upstairs." He'd better remember to pick up ant traps on the way home from Washington, because she would be busy taking the children to a doctor's appointment after school. Obama concludes the story bemused, but exhausted: "I hung up the receiver, wondering if Ted Kennedy or John McCain bought ant traps on the way home from work."

This is a man with his feet on the ground, in love with a woman who's determined to keep them there. It is a very new place to be. Some women played professional roles in earlier eras, but if they had families, they had servants to handle the details. We are the first to struggle (and try not to fight!) over who picks up the children and organizes the carpools, to fret over whether the groceries will be unpacked in time for someone to cook them, and on top of all that we are now learning how to recycle. We are the first to hope we are not missing our children's recitals on some days and underperforming in our jobs on others, to scout out time, just occasionally, to remember why we fell in love with the person who is juggling the balls alongside us. We are the first generation to think about ant traps.

Click here to read the entire piece:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-neiman/obama-and-ant-traps-the-f_b_109699.html

Obama, Clinton appeal for Democratic unity in N.H. - AP

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 13:59:48 EDT

Obama, Clinton appeal for Democratic unity in N.H.

By SARA KUGLER
Associated Press Writer

UNITY, N.H. (AP) -- Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Friday to turn the page on their bitter, history-making fight for the Democratic presidential nomination, declaring the next chapter is about beating Republican John McCain.
Choosing a small New Hampshire community aptly named Unity for their first joint appearance since the campaign ended, Obama and Clinton stood on a platform before thousands of cheering, shouting supporters and took turns praising each other and urging party solidarity. She called the nominee-in-waiting a standup guy and he declared: "She rocks. She rocks."
They came together in this hamlet where each won 107 votes in January's primary. Body language rivaled campaign rhetoric as attention-getter of the day. And a pair rendered distant by a marathon campaign acted like teammates, alternately exhorting the rank-and-file to put any recriminations behind them.
Clinton noted that they had stood "toe to toe" against each other in a primary season fight that began almost two years ago and declared the time has come to "stand shoulder to shoulder" against the GOP. They seemed equally determined to regain a White House that their party hasn't seen since her husband, President Clinton, left at the start of 2001.

Click here to read more:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_CLINTON?SITE=TNMEM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Michelle and Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen Host Women's Forum in NH

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:47:26 EDT

Obama, Shaheen rally women

By John Distaso, Senior Political Reporter

Union Leader - June 27, 2008

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Michelle Obama yesterday set the table for today's Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton "unity" rally in Unity by praising his former rival as a ground-breaking leader on issues that matter to women and working families.
Campaigning with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, the would-be first lady told a women's forum at the Center of New Hampshire Radisson Hotel that her husband will be a champion for issues important to women. She quickly stressed that the nation is closer than ever to ensuring equal pay for women, expanded sick time and paid family leave "because of an extraordinary woman who's not in this room, but she's traveling with my husband tomorrow, and that woman is Hillary Clinton.
"Because of Hillary Clinton's work, the issues of importance to women who work and the working family are front and center in this election," Obama said. "We are so incredibly proud and pleased to have her support."

Continue reading the entire article...

A Serious Energy Policy for Our Future

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:56:11 EDT

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama – as prepared for delivery

A Serious Energy Policy for Our Future

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008

Las Vegas, Nevada

I want to start by thanking the folks here at Springs Preserve for the wonderful tour we just had. What we are seeing here – from the solar panels that power this facility to the Bombard workers who built it – is that a green, renewable energy economy isn’t some pie-in-the-sky, far-off future, it is now. It is creating jobs, now. It is providing cheap alternatives to $140-a-barrel oil, now. And it can create millions of additional jobs and entire new industries if we act now.

All across the country, local leaders and entrepreneurs and small business owners are providing the innovation and initiative needed to make this transformation possible. In Pennsylvania, an old steel mill has become the home of a new wind turbine factory because of the state’s push for renewable portfolio standards that require the production of more alternative energy. Wisconsin is poised to gain more than 14,000 jobs at existing manufacturing facilities because of its investment in wind power. Where we’re standing in Southern Nevada happens to be one of the best sources for the generation of solar power in the world. Next week, our friend and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will come here to cut the ribbon on a new thermal solar technology plant. And between solar, wind, and geothermal energy, this state could create upwards of 80,000 new jobs by 2025.

The possibilities of renewable energy are limitless. But to truly harness its potential, we urgently need real leadership from Washington – leadership that has been missing for decades. We have been talking about energy independence since Americans were waiting in gas lines during the 1970s. We’ve heard promises about it in every State of the Union for the last three decades. But each and every year, we become more, not less, addicted to oil – a 19th century fossil fuel that is dirty, dwindling, and dangerously expensive. Why?

It isn’t because the resources and technology aren’t there. We know this because countries like Spain, Germany, and Japan have already leapt ahead of us when it comes to renewable energy technology. Germany, a country as cloudy as the Pacific Northwest, is now a world leader in the solar power industry and the quarter million new jobs it has created. In less than eight years, before we’d ever see a drop of oil from offshore drilling, they have doubled their renewable energy output. And they did it by using technology that, in some cases, was paid for by the American people through our own Research and Development tax credits. The difference is, their government harnessed that technology by providing the necessary investments and incentives to jumpstart a renewable energy industry. Washington hasn’t done that.

What Washington has done is what Washington always does – it’s peddled false promises, irresponsible policy, and cheap gimmicks that might get politicians through the next election, but won’t lead America toward the next generation of renewable energy. And now we’re paying the price. Now we’ve fallen behind the rest of the world. Now we’re forced to beg Saudi Arabia for more oil. Now we’re facing gas prices over $4 a gallon – gas prices that are decimating the savings of families who are already struggling in this economy. Like the man I met in Pennsylvania who lost his job and couldn’t even afford the gas to drive around and look for a new one. That’s how badly folks are hurting. That’s how badly Washington has failed.

For decades, John McCain has been a part of this failure in Washington. Yes, he has gone further than some in his party in speaking out on climate change. And that is commendable. But time and time again, he has opposed investing in the alternative sources of energy that have helped fuel some of the very same projects and businesses he’s highlighting in this campaign. He’s voted against biofuels. Against solar power. Against wind power. Against a 2005 energy bill that represented the largest ever investment in renewable sources of energy – a bill that Senator McCain’s own campaign co-chair, called “the biggest legislative breakthrough we’ve had” since he’s been in the Senate. That bill certainly wasn’t perfect – it contained irresponsible tax breaks for oil companies that I consistently opposed, and that I will repeal as President. But the tax credits in that bill contributed to wind power growing 45% last year, the sharpest rise in decades. If John McCain had his way, those tax credits wouldn’t exist. And if we don’t renew key tax incentives for alternative energy production – tax incentives that John McCain opposed continuing – we could lose up to 116,000 green jobs and $19 billion in investment just next year. And now he’s talking about a tax credit for more efficient cars even though he helped George Bush block these credits twice in the last year.

After all those years in Washington, John McCain still doesn’t get it. I commend him for his desire to accelerate the search for a battery that can power the cars of the future. I’ve been talking about this myself for the last few years. But I don’t think a $300 million prize is enough. When John F. Kennedy decided that we were going to put a man on the moon, he didn’t put a bounty out for some rocket scientist to win – he put the full resources of the United States government behind the project and called on the ingenuity and innovation of the American people. That’s the kind of effort we need to achieve energy independence in this country, and nothing less will do. But in this campaign, John McCain offering the same old gimmicks that will provide almost no short-term relief to folks who are struggling with high gas prices; gimmicks that will only increase our oil addiction for another four years.

Senator McCain wants a gas tax holiday that will save you – at most – thirty cents a day for three months. And that’s only if the oil companies don’t just jack up the price and pocket the savings themselves, which is exactly what they did when we tried to do the same thing in Illinois. He’s willing to spend nearly $4 billion on more tax breaks for big oil companies – including $1.2 billion for Exxon alone. He wants to open our coastlines to drilling – a proposal that his own top economic advisor admitted won’t provide any short-term relief at the pump. It’s a proposal that George Bush’s Administration says will not provide a drop of oil – not a single drop – for at least ten years. And by the time the drilling is fully underway in twenty years, our own Department of Energy says that the effect on gas prices will be “insignificant.” Insignificant.

Just yesterday, Senator McCain actually admitted this. In a town hall he said, and I quote, “I don’t see an immediate relief” but “the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial.” Psychological impact. In case you were wondering, that’s Washington-speak for, “It polls well.” It’s an example of how Washington politicians try to convince you that they did something to make your life better when they really didn’t. Well the American people don’t need psychological relief or meaningless gimmicks to get politicians through the next election, they need real relief that will help them fill up their tanks and put food on their table. They need a long-term energy strategy that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by investing in the renewable sources of energy that represent the future. That’s what they need.

Meanwhile, the oil companies already own drilling rights to 68 million acres of federal lands, onshore and offshore, that they haven’t touched. 68 million acres that have the potential to nearly double America’s total oil production, and John McCain wants to give them more. Well that might make sense in Washington, but it doesn’t make sense for America. In fact, it makes about as much sense as his proposal to build 45 new nuclear reactors without a plan to store the waste some place other than right here at Yucca Mountain. Folks, these are not serious energy policies. They are not new energy policies. And they are certainly not the kind of energy policies that will give families the relief they need or our country the oil independence we must have.

I realize that gimmicks like the gas tax holiday and offshore drilling might poll well these days. But I’m not running for President to do what polls well, I’m running to do what’s right for America. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make gas prices go down, but I can’t. What I can do – and what I will do – is push for a second stimulus package that will send out another round of rebate checks to the American people. What I will do as President is tax the record profits of oil companies and use the money to help struggling families pay their energy bills. I will provide a $1,000 tax cut that will go to 95% of all workers and their families in this country. And I will close the loophole that allows corporations like Enron to engage in unregulated speculation that ends up artificially driving up the price of oil. That’s how we’ll provide real relief to the American people. That’s the change we need.

I have a very different vision of what this country can and should achieve on energy in the next four years – in the next ten years. I have a plan to raise the fuel standards in our cars and trucks with technology we have on the shelf today – technology that will make sure we get more miles to the gallon. And we will provide financial help to our automakers and autoworkers to help them make this transition. I will invest $150 billion over the next ten years in alternative sources of energy like wind power, and solar power, and advanced biofuels – investments that will create up to five million new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced; that will create billions of dollars in new business like you’re already doing here in Nevada. And before we hand over more of our land and our coastline to oil companies, I will charge those companies a fee for every acre that they currently lease but don’t drill on. If that compels them to drill, we’ll get more oil. If it doesn’t, the fees will go toward more investment in renewable sources of energy.

When all is said and done, my plan to increase our fuel standards will save American consumers from purchasing half a trillion gallons of gas over the next eighteen years. My entire energy plan will produce three times the oil savings that John McCain’s ever could – and what’s more, it will actually decrease our dependence on oil while his will only grow our addiction further.

And that’s the choice that you face in this election. When you’re facing $4 a gallon gas, do you want a gas tax gimmick that will save you at most thirty cents a day for three months and a drilling proposal that won’t provide a drop of oil for ten years, or a second rebate check and $1,000 tax cut to help your family pay the bills? When you look down the road five years from now or ten years from now, do you want to see an America that’s begging dictators for more oil that we can’t afford? An America that’s fallen further behind the rest of the world when it comes to the jobs and industries of the future? Or do you want to see more places like Springs Preserve and Bombard Electric? More green jobs and green businesses? More innovation and ingenuity that helps this nation lead the way on affordable, renewable energy?

That’s the future I know we can have. That’s the America I believe in. And that’s where I will lead us if I have the chance to serve as your President. It will not be easy. It will not happen overnight. It will not come without cost or sacrifice. But it is possible. It is necessary. And places like this, and people like you, prove that we have the resources, and the skills, and the will to begin today. I look forward to joining you in that effort. Thank you.

Will Pro-Choice Women Back McCain?

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:41:56 EDT

Will Pro-Choice Women Back McCain?

By Amy Sullivan

TIME - Jun. 23, 2008

The 2008 presidential race may have been branded a "change" election, but abortion rights advocates have seen this movie before. Once again they face a Republican nominee who supports abortion restrictions yet is widely viewed as moderate and unthreatening to pro-choice voters. Eight years ago, it was George W. Bush who convinced pro-choice Republican and independent women that he was a safe bet, asserting that "America is not ready to ban abortions." This time, according to a poll released last week by NARAL Pro-Choice America, voters have a fuzzy sense of John McCain's views on abortion — which is just the way the McCain campaign wants it.
The NARAL survey found that when pro-choice women are told that McCain believes the Roe v. Wade decision should be overturned, their support for him drops substantially. Among pro-choice independent women, who are already more inclined to back Obama, information about the two candidates' abortion positions improves Obama's edge from 53-35 to 66-26, for a net gain of 22 percentage points. Even pro-choice Republican women shift their support after hearing about McCain's opposition to Roe: 76% initially say they will vote for McCain in November, but that number drops to 63%.
The problem for Democrats is that most voters don't sit through phone calls with pollsters walking them through the respective positions of the two nominees. That sets up a messaging battle, and it's one Republicans enter from a position of strength. In the 35 years since the Roe v. Wade decision was handed down, abortion has reigned as the single most controversial issue in American politics. Nevertheless, G.O.P. presidential candidates have demonstrated a remarkable ability to strike a politically successful balance, quietly reassuring their conservative base of their anti-abortion commitment while publicly hewing to language that appeals to the pro-choice majority.

Click here to read the entire article:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1817314,00.html

Obama fields questions on health care from women in Albuquerque

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:12:32 EDT

Obama woos women voters

Democratic presidential hopeful swings by Duke City to talk economy, health care

Kate Nash | The New Mexican

6/23/2008 - 6/24/08

ALBUQUERQUE — Usually, Sen. Barack Obama just answers the questions that audience members ask him at town hall meetings around the country.
But when Albuquerque resident Carrie Hummel told him during an event here Monday that she hasn't been to a doctor in 10 years, he gently scolded her.
"That's not good," he said during a stop at the headquarters of the Flying Star Cafe near downtown, where he spoke to about 35 women, all employees of the local chain.
Even though Hummel works two jobs, saves where she can and has her boyfriend ride a bike to use less gas, she cannot afford the health insurance her employer offers.
Hummel, 28, is just the person Obama say he wants to help.
"Health care puts such a burden on families," he said after Hummel asked what he would do to help someone like her. "Even if you've got health insurance, you've seen your co-pays and deductibles and premiums keep going up. And if you don't have health care, you feel like you are always one illness or one accident way from bankruptcy," Obama said.
"We've got to reverse that."
Obama, in New Mexico on Monday and in Nevada today, is focusing this campaign trip on the economy and on women's issues. He took questions from five women.
He spoke for about an hour to the group inside a warehouse, surrounded by a 7-foot-high coffee roaster and a just-as-large coffee grinder.
Obama's plan calls for lowering health care premiums by $2,500 per family per year for those who have insurance and setting up a large, federal-employee-type pool of insurance for those who don't.

Click here to read the entire article:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Obama-woos-women-voters

Obama speaks with working women in Albuquerque on equal pay

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:03:32 EDT

Obama tells women he supports equal pay

By SARA KUGLER – June 23, 2008

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama, determined to win over female voters, talked Monday about the women who helped shape his life in arguing that he would be a better proponent of equal pay than Republican John McCain.
The presumed Democratic nominee toured a baking facility and chatted with female workers about their economic challenges.
Sen. Obama told how he was raised by a single mother and his grandmother, who made sacrifices to support their family. He told them that Sen. McCain opposed legislation earlier this year that would have made it easier for women to sue their employers for pay discrimination. Obama supported the bill.
"I'll continue to stand up for equal pay as president — Senator McCain won't, and that's a real difference in this election," Obama said.
McCain has said he supports equal pay for women but had said the measure would lead to more lawsuits.
Obama also said he would expand the child care tax credit, increase funds for after-school programs and expand the Family and Medical Leave Act to cover small businesses, so that companies with as few as 25 employees would be covered.

Click here to read the entire article:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD91G0KT00

Michelle Obama speaks at National Partnership for Women & Families annual luncheon

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:33:17 EDT

Michelle Obama discusses experience as working mom

by Ann Sanner

June 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama on Friday drew from her experience as a working mother to emphasize the importance of fairness in the workplace and her support for family friendly policies.
"It's time for the leaders of this country not only to champion these causes, but to fight for the issues every single day," Obama told about 1,000 people at the National Partnership for Women and Families' annual luncheon.
The nonprofit group advocates for equality in the workplace, access to health care and policies that help Americans balance work and family.
Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, said the group's work "is a cause that I carry deep in my heart. It's a cause that I have championed and will continue to champion no matter what the outcome of this election."

Click here to read the full article:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gF6i4iEHstfMbiVDziPEgI7m6pFAD91E0LR80

Sen. Obama receives endorsement of Sierra Club and AFSCME

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:45:48 EDT

Obama Backed by Sierra Club And, in a Shift, AFSCME

By Juliet Eilperin and Alec MacGillis

The Washington Post - June 20, 2008

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Sierra Club announced separately yesterday that they would endorse Barack Obama for president.

"Barack Obama has mobilized a historic movement to reclaim the greatness of America," said AFSCME President Gerald McEntee. "With his leadership, our nation will rise up to rebuild the middle class at home and restore America's reputation in the world."

....

The Sierra Club announcement was not a surprise: the group's executive director, Carl Pope, had hammered the presumptive GOP nominee, John McCain, for months over his missed votes in the Senate and his support for nuclear power subsidies as a way to address global warming. Pope criticized McCain this week after the senator from Arizona said he now supports lifting the federal moratorium on offshore oil drilling.

"We believe Senator Obama is the change our nation needs -- he is the leader who will put America on the path to a clean energy economy that creates and keeps millions of jobs, spurs innovation and opportunity, and makes us a more secure nation," Pope said in a statement.

Click here to read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061903883.html

Clinton backers migrating to Obama

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:14:13 EDT

Clinton backers migrating to Obama: Democratic presidential hopeful takes wide lead among female voters, according to polls

Michael Finnegan

June 18, 2008

Los Angeles Times

Marilyn Authenreith, a mother of two in North Carolina, felt strongly about supporting Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.

But once the New York senator quit the race, Authenreith switched allegiance to Barack Obama, mainly because she thinks that he – unlike Republican John McCain – will push for universal health care.

"I can't understand the thinking of how someone would jump from Hillary to McCain," she said. "It doesn't make any sense."

Now that the Democratic marathon is over, Clinton supporters are siding heavily with Obama over McCain, polls show.

And the Illinois senator has taken a wide lead among female voters, belying months of political chatter and polls of primary voters suggesting that disappointment over Clinton's defeat might block him from fully enjoying his party's historic edge among women.

Click here to read more: http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/445101

Women voters give Obama a lead in N.J., according to recent polls

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:50:27 EDT

June 12, 2008 - Women Give Obama The Edge In New Jersey, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Gas Prices Are Voters' Biggest Money Concern

With a double-digit lead among women, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the likely Democratic presidential candidate, leads Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican standard-bearer, 45 - 39 percent in New Jersey, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

In this latest survey, women back Sen. Obama 46 - 35 percent while men split 44 - 44 percent. Independent voters go 42 percent for Sen. McCain to 40 percent for Obama, while Democrats back Obama 74 - 10 percent and Republicans back McCain 83 - 9 percent.

"Sen. Barack Obama shows every sign of keeping New Jersey in the blue state column in the presidential election, rolling up the kinds of numbers that routinely elect Democrats year after year," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Click here to read more:

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1299.xml?ReleaseID=1185

Obama has significant lead among women in three battleground states - FL, OH, PA

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:31:03 EDT

Marc Ambinder from The Atlantic takes a look at some just-released polling data from Quinnipiac -- check it out! Obama is leading McCain among women likely voters by large margins in these three key swing states.

FLORIDA

Florida women likely voters back Obama 50 - 40 percent, while men go 47 percent for McCain and 44 percent for Obama. White voters back McCain 50 - 40 percent while black voters back Obama 95 - 4 percent. Obama leads 57 -35 percent with voters 18 to 34 years old; he splits 48 - 46 percent with McCain among voters 35 to 54, and 44 - 46 percent with voters over 55.

OHIO

Obama leads 51 - 39 percent among Ohio women likely voters, while men go 46 percent for McCain and 45 percent for Obama. White voters also are narrowly divided with 47 percent for McCain and 44 percent for Obama, but Obama commands black voters 90 - 6 percent. The Democrat also leads 58 - 36 percent among voters 18 to 34 and 49 - 42 percent among voters 35 to 54, while McCain has the 47 - 43 percent edge among voters over 55.

PENNSYLVANIA

Obama tops McCain 57 - 34 percent with women as men go 47 percent for McCain to 45 percent for Obama. Obama leads 61 - 33 percent among voters 18 to 34 years old, 51 - 41 percent among voters 35 to 54 and 48 - 43 percent with voters over 55. The Democrat inches ahead 47 - 44 percent among white voters and leads among black voters 95 - 1 percent.

Click here to read more:

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/06/heres_your_bounce_obama_up_in.php

Single Mom Says Obama a Role Model for Her Sons -- NY Daily News

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:56:36 EDT

Barack Obama's victory inspires all

By Ben Waltzer and Stephanie Gaskell

NY Daily News - June 16th 2008

For black single mom Alice Lowman, Sen. Barack Obama's Democratic presidential nomination not only gave her hope for the future of the country - it also gave her a way to encourage her three sons to "reach for the stars."
"It's not a dream anymore," said Lowman, of East New York. "It's definitely possible."
Lowman said she's always tried to raise her sons to never let racism "change their character," but it hasn't been easy. She sees Obama as a way to show - not just tell - her boys that they can achieve anything in life.
"It shows kids that you can be anything you like," she said. "The sky's the limit. Just reach for the stars and don't let anything get in your way. Obama is a role model for my three sons, but they should always look at it as, 'Obama is great, but I can be greater.' "

Click here to read the full piece:

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/06/16/2008-06-16_barack_obamas_victory_inspires_all.html

Michelle Obama Co-Hosting THE VIEW Tomorrow - Wednesday, June 18

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:26:50 EDT

Tune in to watch Michelle Obama make an appearance as a guest co-host on The View on ABC live TOMORROW - Wednesday morning, June 18!

In most states, it airs at either 10:00am or 11:00am. Click here to find your local listing:

http://abc.go.com/daytime/theview/whentowatch

If you aren't able to catch it live, but can record the episode, invite you friends over in the evening to watch together!

NARAL Presidential Battleground Poll on Choice

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:25:20 EDT

June 16, 2008

NARAL Pro-Choice America Releases
Presidential Battleground Poll

Survey shows choice issue can move key blocs of women voters to Obama

Washington, DC – Today, NARAL Pro-Choice America released a general election battleground poll that shows choice creates a sharp contrast between the pro-choice candidate Sen. Barack Obama and the anti-choice Sen. John McCain and is a top issue for moving pro-choice Republican and Independent women to support Obama. When this critical bloc of swing voters hears just how anti-choice McCain is and his belief that Roe v. Wade should be overturned, they leave him in significant numbers. Additionally, the poll shows that choice helps Obama shore up the Democratic women voters that some thought would not support him following Sen. Hillary Clinton’s suspension of her campaign.

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research conducted the poll, which included an oversample of pro-choice Republican and Independent women from 12 presidential battleground states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

“The data shows that choice is an important issue that can move key voting blocs of pro-choice Republican and Independent women who can play an important role in building Obama’s winning coalition,” said Al Quinlan, president of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. “Because NARAL Pro-Choice America communicates extensively with this unique swing constituency, NARAL’s efforts in 2008 can help Barack Obama win what may be a close election.”

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research’s poll shows that once pro-choice Republican and Independent women hear a balanced description of the candidates’ respective positions on choice, Obama gains ground:

·         Obama gains 13 points among pro-choice Independent women (who make up nine percent of this electorate) and nine points among pro-choice Republican women (who account for five percent of this electorate), when they hear McCain’s anti-choice record.
·         When these groups are combined, this movement equates to a gain of 1.6 points overall in the general election race against McCain.

Choice is the top issue for moving these key audiences to Obama, trumping other traditional Democratic issues and attacks on McCain. Among key voting blocs of pro-choice Independent and Republican women, McCain’s anti-choice record concerns them more than attacks on his economic plan and his position on the war in Iraq.

·         Among pro-choice Independent women, 83 percent said that McCain’s opposition to abortion for many women – even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman’s life is in danger – causes serious doubts about McCain.
·         For these same voters, 79 percent say that McCain’s votes against birth control access raises serious doubts in their minds about McCain.
·         Among pro-choice Republican women, 71 percent said that McCain’s opposition to abortion for many women – even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman’s life is in danger – causes serious doubts about McCain.
·         For these same voters, 61 percent say that McCain’s votes against birth control access raises serious doubts in their minds about McCain.

Finally, the polling shows that choice can help Obama gain more ground among women voters considered to be Hillary Clinton strongholds: non-college educated women, older women, and suburban women.

·         Among non-college women, Obama’s margin over McCain grows by 12 points between the initial vote and the vote after their choice positions are known.
·         Among older women, Obama’s margin over McCain grows by 11 points between the initial vote and the vote after their choice positions are known.
·         Among suburban women, Obama’s margin over McCain grows by nine points between the initial vote and the vote after their choice positions are known.
·         Among Democratic women generally, Obama’s margin over McCain grows by 12 points between the initial vote and the vote after their choice positions are known.

“This poll confirms what we’ve known for a long time now,” said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “NARAL Pro-Choice America is uniquely positioned to help pro-choice candidates win elections from the White House to the state house. We will be working tirelessly over the next five months to ensure NARAL Pro-Choice America’s endorsed candidate, Sen. Obama, becomes president-elect Obama on November 4, 2008.”

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research conducted this poll for NARAL Pro-Choice America between May 29 and June 8, 2008 in 12 battleground states. This survey of 1,788 likely November voters (1,000 representative likely voters plus oversamples of 424 likely-voting Republican women and 364 likely-voting Independent women) is subject to a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

Links:

Please go to http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/files/naralpollmemo061608.pdf for a summary of the polls findings and http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/files/naralpollslides061608.pdf to access additional information in the complete poll presentation.

Obama Campaign Response - John McCain and Clayton Williams

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:29:10 EDT

Please see the below statement from our press shop on John McCain's associations with Clayton Williams:

After initially telling the press that they had cancelled a fundraiser to be hosted by Clayton “Claytie” Williams prior to their town hall with former Clinton supporters, the McCain campaign later announced that the fundraiser was back on but would simply be postponed. In response the Obama campaign issued the following statement:

“The only thing more insulting than John McCain’s willingness to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign cash raised by Claytie Williams is his attempt to get away with it by simply changing the venue of his fundraiser. It’s clear that John McCain is more concerned with dealing with a ‘perception problem’ than in condemning these despicable remarks or in living up to the straight talk reputation he brags about," said Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan.

Wednesday, June 4: Midland Reporter-Telegram Reported that Clayton Williams Would be Hosting a Fundraiser for John McCain on Monday, June 16th. “U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, will appear in Midland at a June 16 fundraiser at oil producer Clayton Williams’ home. Williams told the Reporter-Telegram on Wednesday that McCain is scheduled to appear at an 11 a.m. private reception for larger donors and area representatives of the energy sector. A noon luncheon for all donors at this invitation-only event will follow and include comments from the senator from Arizona. Williams said he raised more than $300,000 from those interested in attending the event on Tuesday afternoon alone. ‘It is a pittance to the taxes they (Democrats) will take from the industry,’ Williams said.” [Midland Reporter Telegram, 6/4/08,

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2008/06/04/news/top_stories/doc48471c99b01dd492823980.txt]

Friday, June 13: ABC News Reported that McCain “Abruptly Cancelled” the Clayton Williams Fundraiser; McCain Campaign Spokesman Said Campaign was Unaware of Williams’ “Offensive” Comments on Rape. “Sen. John McCain on Friday abruptly cancelled a Monday fundraiser that had been scheduled at the home of a Texas oilman, after ABC News contacted the campaign inquiring about a verbal blunder the Texan made during an unsuccessful 1990 campaign for governor. Clayton Williams stirred controversy during his 1990 campaign for governor of Texas with a botched attempt at humor in which he compared rape to weather. Within earshot of a reporter, Williams said: ‘As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.’ … "These were obviously incredibly offensive remarks that the campaign was unaware of at the time this event was scheduled," Rogers said. He added that Williams apologized for the comments back in 1990, but he said that does not excuse them.” [“McCain Cancels Event with Controversial Fundraiser,” ABC News, 6/13/08, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/06/mccain-cancels.html]

Angry Clinton Women Love McCain? -- Frank Rich, NYT Op-Ed

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:04:50 EDT

Check out this great op-ed by Frank Rich published in today's New York Times. The numbers are very encouraging!

Angry Clinton Women ♥ McCain?
By FRANK RICH

TEN years ago John McCain had to apologize for regaling a Republican audience with a crude sexual joke about Hillary and Chelsea Clinton and Janet Reno. Last year he had to explain why he didn’t so much as flinch when a supporter asked him on camera, “How do we beat the bitch?” But these days Mr. McCain just loves the women.
In his televised address on Barack Obama’s victory night of June 3, he dismissed Mr. Obama in a single patronizing line but devoted four fulsome sentences to praising Mrs. Clinton for “inspiring millions of women.” The McCain Web site is showcasing a new blogger who crooned of the “genuine affection” for Mrs. Clinton “here at McCain HQ” after she lost. One of the few visible women in the McCain campaign hierarchy, Carly Fiorina, has declared herself “enormously proud” of Mrs. Clinton and is barnstorming to win over Democratic women to her guy’s cause.
How heartwarming. You’d never guess that Mr. McCain is a fierce foe of abortion rights or that he voted to terminate the federal family-planning program that provides breast-cancer screenings. You’d never know that his new campaign blogger, recruited from The Weekly Standard, had shown his genuine affection for Mrs. Clinton earlier this year by portraying her as a liar and whiner and by piling on with a locker-room jeer after she’d been called a monster. “Tell us something we don’t know,” he wrote.
But while the McCain campaign apparently believes that women are easy marks for its latent feminist cross-dressing, a reality check suggests that most women can instantly identify any man who’s hitting on them for selfish ends. New polls show Mr. Obama opening up a huge lead among female voters — beating Mr. McCain by 13 percentage points in the Gallup and Rasmussen polls and by 19 points in the latest Wall Street Journal-NBC News survey.
How huge is a 13- to 19-percentage-point lead? John Kerry won women by only 3 points, Al Gore by 11.
The real question is how Mr. McCain and his press enablers could seriously assert that he will pick up disaffected female voters in the aftermath of the brutal Obama-Clinton nomination battle. Even among Democrats, Mr. Obama lost only the oldest female voters to Mrs. Clinton.

Click here to read the entire piece:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/15/opinion/15rich.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Remarks of Sen. Obama on Father's Day 2008

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:03:03 EDT

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama

Apostolic Church of God

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

Chicago, IL

Good morning. It’s good to be home on this Father’s Day with my girls, and it’s an honor to spend some time with all of you today in the house of our Lord.

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus closes by saying, “Whoever hears these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.” [Matthew 7: 24-25]

Here at Apostolic, you are blessed to worship in a house that has been founded on the rock of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. But it is also built on another rock, another foundation – and that rock is Bishop Arthur Brazier. In forty-eight years, he has built this congregation from just a few hundred to more than 20,000 strong – a congregation that, because of his leadership, has braved the fierce winds and heavy rains of violence and poverty; joblessness and hopelessness. Because of his work and his ministry, there are more graduates and fewer gang members in the neighborhoods surrounding this church. There are more homes and fewer homeless. There is more community and less chaos because Bishop Brazier continued the march for justice that he began by Dr. King’s side all those years ago. He is the reason this house has stood tall for half a century. And on this Father’s Day, it must make him proud to know that the man now charged with keeping its foundation strong is his son and your new pastor, Reverend Byron Brazier.

Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important. And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation. They are teachers and coaches. They are mentors and role models. They are examples of success and the men who constantly push us toward it.

But if we are honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that what too many fathers also are is missing – missing from too many lives and too many homes. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it.

Granholm: McCain not good for women -- The Detroit News

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:26:11 EDT

Granholm: McCain not good for women

by Gordon Trowbridge

The Detroit News - June 14, 2008

Seeking to block an effort by John McCain to draw support from Hillary Clinton supporters, Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Saturday called for women to unify behind Barack Obama and attacked McCain's record on women's issues and the economy.
McCain's outreach to Clinton-backing women "is an effort to mask his effort on the issues important to the women who supported (Clinton)", said Granholm, who supported Clinton during her primary campaign against Obama.
Granholm spoke to reporters on a conference call organized by the Obama campaign.
McCain on Saturday was holding a "virtual town hall" teleconference with former Clinton supporters, other Democrats and independents, seeking to capitalize on divisions created by Democrats' long and at times bitter primary campaign. The McCain campaign released a list of more than two dozen Democrats and independents it said were supporting McCain.
Granholm singled out McCain's record on abortion, calling him "in lockstep with the Bush administration with respect to appointments to the Supreme Court, with the anti-choice crowd on committing to overturn Roe versus Wade." That's the Supreme Court decision upholding the legality of abortion, a decision anti-abortion activists have long sought to overturn.
"The depth of Sen. McCain's deceit when it comes to issues important to women can't be overstated," said another former Clinton supporter, Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., who also was on the call.
Wasserman-Schultz pointed to McCain's opposition to a minimum-wage increase, which she said especially benefited women, and his opposition to expansion of a federal children's health insurance program.
McCain aides have said the campaign believes it can attract the votes of independents and conservative Democrats in Michigan, particularly in areas such as Macomb County and in Northern Michigan. McCain strategists believe those voters could be won over by McCain's moderate reputation and high personal approval ratings, as well as distrust of Obama and displeasure with the Michigan primary controversy.
"No matter what Sen. McCain says when he comes here, the question is, what has he done for struggling families?" Granholm said.
"Has he stood for working people, and has he stood apart from the Bush administration, which has offered no help whatsoever to the manufacturing industry in this country?"

Polls: Women favor Obama (USA Today)

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:20:54 EDT

Polls: Women favor Obama

By Jillian Lawrence

USA Today - June 12, 2008

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama has moved into double-digit leads over Republican John McCain in two new polls of women voters, suggesting he is drawing support from women who once backed Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama led McCain 51%-38% in Gallup polling of 2,263 registered female voters June 5-9. The 13-percentage-point lead among women was up from 5 points the previous week, before the Democratic nomination ended. Obama now matches Clinton's performance against McCain, Gallup said Wednesday.

The Gallup results mirrored Obama's 52%-39% lead among women in a Rasmussen Reports poll of 3,000 likely voters June 8-10. The polls' margins of error are +/— 2 to 3 percentage points. Clinton on June 4 signaled her intent to withdraw and officially suspended her campaign Saturday. Some of her supporters said they would never vote for Obama, and one man, Ed Hale, started a website for former Clinton supporters now backing McCain. Minnesota Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and other McCain supporters, meanwhile, predicted McCain would win many of the women who voted for Clinton.

Two of Clinton's strongest advocates went on the offensive Wednesday to quash that line of thinking. "I think that idea's a pipe dream. Sen. McCain is really out of touch with the lives these women are leading," Ellen Malcolm, president of the fundraising group EMILY's List, said in a conference call.

Click here to read the entire article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-06-11-womenvoters_N.htm

Ellen Moran of EMILY's List to Discuss Role of Women Voters in the Presidential Election

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:32:14 EDT

Ellen Moran, executive director of EMILY's List, will discuss the role of women voters in this year's election on the following news programs TODAY and TOMORROW. Check them out!

Hardball with Chris Matthews, MSNBC News
WHEN: Today, June 11, 5 p.m.

Good Morning America, ABC News
WHEN: Tomorrow, June 12, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Check your local listings for more details and please encourage your friends and family to watch these shows to learn more about the roles of EMILY's List and women voters in this unprecedented election.

Winning Back Women -- NYTimes "The Caucus" Politics Blog

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:26:19 EDT

Winning Back Women

By Katharine Q. Seelye

June 11, 2008

A new daily tracking poll by Gallup shows that Senator Barack Obama has pulled ahead of Senator John McCain in the last week, thanks largely to women who have turned to Mr. Obama since Senator Hillary Clinton ended her campaign last week.

Mr. Obama has gained among both men and women over the last week, but he has picked up more women than men and that has pushed him ahead of Mr. McCain. Mr. Obama still lags slightly behind Mr. McCain among men.

Among women, Mr. Obama was ahead of Mr. McCain by five percentage points (48 percent to 43 percent) from May 27 through June 2 but lead him by 13 points (51-38) from June 5 to June 9.

Mrs. Clinton dropped out on June 7 after Mr. Obama gained enough delegates to claim the nomination on June 3.

As the poll came out, a group of women who supported Mrs. Clinton held a conference call to begin a campaign to “sound the alarm” about Mr. McCain’s record on women’s issues as he tries to woo women voters himself.

The women –including Ellen Malcolm, the president of Emily’s List, and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democrat of Florida — said some people think Mr. McCain is moderate on women’s issues because he has occasionally been a maverick in the past but he is in fact quite conservative, especially on abortion rights. Mr. McCain favors overturning Roe v. Wade and voted against a bill to make it easier for women to file lawsuits seeking equal pay for equal work.

Click here to see the entire piece:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/winning-backwomen/#more-5349

Today's WashPost: Profile of Linnie Frank Bailey , California Obama Delegate and Campaign Activist

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:21:35 EDT

Something Just Clicked
An Obama Delegate's Road to Politics Began With an Online Donation

By Jose Antonio Vargas
June 10, 2008 - Washington Post

SACRAMENTO It all started last summer with a $10 online donation -- her very first political contribution.

With another click of the mouse, 52-year-old Linnie Frank Bailey, a political neophyte, morphed into a campaign volunteer. By fall, she'd taken on the titles of "area coordinator" and "regional field organizer." And by winter, she'd become a field commander of sorts, organizing a 10,000-square-foot presidential campaign office in southern California.

Now, nearly a year later, more than just the seasons have changed. Here inside Room 307 of the Sacramento Convention Center on a recent Sunday morning, a once unengaged but now thoroughly committed woman sits alongside seasoned political activists and big-money donors at the only meeting of the state delegation to the Democratic National Convention. The mother of two, the middle-class homemaker, the self-described "blogger-on-training-wheels" is now one of California's 166 pledged delegates for Sen. Barack Obama.

"Imagine that!" Bailey says. "Without the Internet, I don't know if I could have gotten this involved."

Bailey is a prime example of the still evolving story of this campaign -- how the Web has enabled everyday people to become engaged in ways that have changed the dynamic of a presidential campaign. And Bailey's just one drop in the ocean of politics.

Click here to read the full story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/09/AR2008060902826_pf.html

A Warm Welcome to Supporters of Hillary Clinton

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:28:02 EDT

Hello Women for Obama friends - new and old!

Just a quick note to let you know we've added a banner on our home page to welcome supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton and get them connected to our campaign and to our Women for Obama efforts:

http://women.barackobama.com/page/content/WFOhome

And for our old friends, as a reminder, you can thank Senator Clinton for her leadership in this history-making, ground-breaking primary campaign, as well as her leadership throughout her career on the issues we all care about, by clicking here:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/thankyouHRC?source=feature_thankyou

"What Would Ann Do?" -- By Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:55:03 EDT

Check out this great piece written by Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and daughter of the late former Texas Governor Ann Richards.

What Would Ann Do?

by Cecile Richards

June 10, 2008 - The Huffington Post

It's our time to put a president in the White House who cares about women's health, take back our country, and move once again with progress and commitment to the future. That's what Hillary Clinton said when she suspended her presidential campaign and that's what my mother Ann Richards would say if she were alive today. When Mom lost her reelection bid for governor of Texas to George Bush in 1994, she didn't just get over it, she went on with it--on to campaign with gusto for hundreds of women and other progressive candidates across the country.

Mom required only one thing of the many folks who asked for her campaign help: a 100 percent belief in women's rights. If they didn't have it, they were out of luck. But if they stood up for women as she did, she would travel to the ends of the earth for them.

That's why if she were still around she would suit up and campaign for Senator Obama in the farthest corner of the farthest state. Mom would see in him a leader with a long and consistent record for standing up for women's health care, a man raised by a single mother, a father of two daughters, and a husband who supports women's rights 100 percent.

Click here to read the full piece:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cecile-richards/what-would-ann-do_b_106291.html

Boston Globe Op-Ed: "Feminists, the choice is obvious"

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:52:56 EDT

Feminists, the choice is obvious

By Susan Jhirad

June 8, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Dear fellow feminists,

Yes, I qualify. Like some of you, I grew up in an era where a woman president was an impossibility, where there were no women doctors, few women in positions of power, no women professors. I went to a coeducational college, where, although women got higher grades than men, we never directed plays, edited the newspaper, or were allowed to lead an organization. We washed dishes regularly in our dorms, while our fellow male students had maids clean their rooms for them. We had male professors who openly derided the idea of women scientists. We graduated and became secretaries; the men graduated and became reporters for The New York Times. I raised my son when there was no child care, was raped before there were rape crisis centers or anyone to talk to.

I get it.

I marched for women's rights, helped found the first feminist group in Cambridge, and like some of you, danced for joy when Geraldine Ferraro was nominated for vice president.

But I also grew up in an era when an African-American president was an impossibility, when African-Americans in the South were shot for having the temerity to vote. I worked for civil rights, registered black voters. Later, I witnessed busing in Boston, where angry white mobs stoned school buses filled with terrified black children, where people of color were never in power.

I get it.

I support Barack Obama for president. It's OK that you have supported Hillary Clinton. I get it, I really do. What I don't get, can't get, is seeing some of you riled up Clinton supporters threatening to vote for McCain.

Click here to read the full piece: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/06/08/feminists_the_choice_is_obvious/

Thank You, Senator Hillary Clinton

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:18:04 EDT

Dear friends,

Today we extend our gratitude and thanks to Senator Hillary Clinton for her leadership in this historic and ground-breaking Democratic primary campaign. She fought hard for the issues we as Democrats care about and Senator Obama will continue to lead that fight as we unite to defeat John McCain in the fall.

Today, Sen. Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Senator Obama for President and urged her supporters to join with her in making him the next President of the United States. She said, "the way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States.

We are grateful to Senator Clinton for endorsing Senator Obama, and now it is our turn to reach out to her supporters and welcome them into our Democratic family. With only five months left in the race, it is time to put the primary quickly behind us and embrace all Democrats – especially the women who put so much of themselves into Senator Clinton’s campaign, as you did on behalf of Senator Obama.

We all want the same thing – access to quality, affordable health care; an end to the war in Iraq; equal pay; protection of our reproductive rights; restoration of civil rights and civil liberties; access to quality K-12 education and the opportunity of a college education for all. In order to achieve these goals, we must immediately begin educating women across the country, including Independents and Republicans, on the stark contrasts between John McCain and Barack Obama.

These next couple of weeks are going to be critical. Please talk to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who supported Senator Clinton about how we need to work together to elect Senator Obama, a progressive champion for women, as our next President. There is no time to waste – we have only five months to defeat John McCain in the fall.

To thank Senator Clinton for all she has done on behalf of women, families, and the Democratic party, please click here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/thankyouHRC?source=feature_thankyou?source=feature_thankyou

Here are a few key points describing exactly what we stand to lose if we do not succeed in defeating John McCain in the fall:

* McCain has a 0% pro-choice rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood.

* He has vowed to appoint pro-life justices to the Supreme Court.

* McCain voted against reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for five years.

* He voted against the restoration of the Fair Pay Act.

* McCain voted to suspend the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993.

* He voted to shut down the Title X family-planning program, which provides millions of women with health care services ranging from birth control to breast cancer screenings.

For more detailed information on John McCain’s record on women’s issues, please take a look at these very helpful fact sheets:

http://www.ppaction.org/ppvotes/thetruthaboutjohnmccain.html

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/assets/files/mccain_fact_sheet.pdf

Encourage women you know to become part of Women for Obama – they can sign up to receive newsletters, action items, and other updates by emailing us at women@barackobama.com.

Becky Carroll

National Director, Women for Obama

Why Would Clinton Supporters Vote For John McCain and Not Barack Obama?

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:58:32 EDT

Catherine Morgan, writer and founder of "The Political Voices of Women" and "Informed Voters" blogs, and member of BlogHer.com, posted a piece today that included her take on the question above, as well as responses from several other women bloggers.

Why Would Clinton Supporters Vote For John McCain and Not Barack Obama?

by Catherine Morgan

June 7, 2008

I think all the talk about women supporters of Hillary Clinton, voting for John McCain, is being overblown by the media. Shocking.

Yes, it has been a tough time to be a Hillary supporter. And yes, there are a lot of fresh wounds that will take time to heal. However, I do believe that most women who supported Hillary, did so because of her positions on the issues, and not just because she is a woman. For that reason, I have to believe that after careful consideration of the issues (especially women’s issues), Clinton supporters will see that a vote for McCain, would be a vote against women.

Click here to read the entire piece:
http://informedvoters.wordpress.com/2008/06/07/why-would-clinton-supporters-vote-for-john-mccain-and-not-barack-obama/

"Hillary and Barack" - A Letter from Ellen Malcolm, President of EMILY'S List

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:46:37 EDT

For months we have watched two extraordinary, history-making Democratic candidates battle it out for the presidential nomination. Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton competed in every state, unleashing a tidal wave of enthusiasm and support.

Hillary Clinton has honored all women with her historic campaign. She stood up against all odds and harsh criticism with courage, grace, and dignity. At every turn in this long journey she has filled me with tremendous pride.

And now that it is over, I wholeheartedly congratulate Barack Obama. What a triumph for our new leader! He has inspired millions of Americans and shown that he is more than ready to take on John McCain.

While women still face serious hurdles in reaching the highest levels of elected office, Hillary has laid to rest any doubts about whether a woman has what it takes to run for president. She showed Americans and the world that she has the strength, intelligence, determination, and passion to handle the enormous responsibilities of the presidency, including those of commander-in-chief. When the media predicted her doom, she never faltered. In every debate she was eloquent and persuasive. Her resilience under the harsh national spotlight will make it easier for every woman candidate who follows her.

Voters in every state and territory were drawn to Hillary's message of progressive change, and they turned out in force, giving her almost 18 million votes -- more than any presidential primary candidate in history. She emerges from this campaign an even more powerful national leader. And I know she will use that power to help Democrats, including Sen. Obama, win, and to make a profound difference on issues like health care reform, energy independence, and economic policy.

As I've spoken to EMILY's List members, especially recently, I know we have experienced this primary from different perspectives. Those who supported Sen. Obama are tremendously exhilarated that he is our nominee. I respect your choice and congratulate you for being part of an historic campaign.

Those of us who have been wholehearted supporters of Sen. Clinton feel disappointment and sadness, even anger, that this opportunity to elect a fine candidate and the first woman president is passing us by. So many EMILY's List members put their all into this campaign -- money, yes, but also time and energy traveling to primary states, working phone banks, and canvassing precincts. My heart is with you, as I am working through my own emotional turmoil. I fervently believe that this anger and grief will subside, leaving me with a deep sense of pride at what Hillary has accomplished for women. But I have not yet reached that point in my journey, and I know many of you feel the same way.

EMILY's List members, like all Democrats, are experiencing varying emotions -- but we are unified in our determination to undo the damage created by George W. Bush and the Republicans. I am confident that our party will unify as well, and come together to take the White House in November. And, once again, EMILY's List will unleash the political power of women to help Democrats win at every level in 2008 so we can begin to rebuild a progressive America.

The differences between Sens. Obama and McCain dwarf the nuanced policy differences between Obama and Clinton. We can never forget what John McCain stands for: continuation of the war in Iraq, minimal changes on health care, economic policy that rests on tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, and a steadfast determination to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Electing John McCain is simply perpetuating the policies of George W. Bush. For the country's sake, we cannot let that happen.

EMILY's List has important work to do to help Democrats take back the White House -- but to create the change our country so desperately needs, we must also build working progressive majorities in the states and in the Congress. EMILY's List has endorsed more than two dozen strong women candidates for House, Senate, and governor, and dozens more running for state office. And we are executing our biggest WOMEN VOTE! project ever, to mobilize the women voters who will ensure victory for our candidates and Democrats up and down the ticket -- from the state House to the White House.

As always, thank you for your support and your commitment to our country.

Please continue to be an active and generous member of EMILY's List as we work to unleash the power of women candidates and women voters to create change.

Let us join together to build a mighty political force that will win in November.

Ellen Malcolm

President, EMILY's List

IN THE NEWS: Signs of Unity in St. Paul, MN

Anne Brewer, Women's Vote Coordinator — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:34:13 EDT

Clinton supporters wowed with warm reception at Obama rally

By Doug Grow
MinnPost, Wednesday, June 4, 2008

The crowd kept pouring into the Xcel Energy Center. All ages. All races. All backgrounds. Young Somalis chanting "O-bama!" And older, white women, bedecked in sparkling red, white and blue and holding up a sign, "Women for Obama!''

But most noticeable was the arrival of such people as Buck Humphrey, who once had headed Hillary Rodham Clinton's Minnesota campaign. And Jackie Stevenson, a DFL activist, a feminist and a Clinton-supporting superdelegate, who at the last minute had changed her mind about attending the event. And St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who was a Clinton supporter until sometime Monday. And Rick Stafford, another Clinton superdelegate.

Former Secretary of State Joan Growe was there. And Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson. And a couple of dozen other people who had invested so much energy into Clinton's campaign.

Political healing process beginning

Their presence at the event where Barack Obama declared victory shows that, at least in Minnesota, the political healing process already is beginning.

No one is making that healing easier than Obama. Last night, after he had finished the sort of speech that leaves his followers exhilarated and exhausted, Obama did not just leave the arena. Nor did he head to the nearest television camera or the nearest fat cat.

Instead, he went to a room where the Clinton supporters had been gathered and one by one, shook the hands of the 25 people, stopping to chat with each of them.

"Chris (Coleman) walked around the room with him,'' said Stevenson, "and introduced each one of us.''

It was really pretty extraordinary.

"He shook my hand and said, 'Thank you for being here; I'm sure it's not easy,' '' said Stevenson of her meeting with Obama. "I thanked him and said that everyone involved in his campaign had been so gracious. I didn't know what to say, so I mentioned that my daughter works for a federal health clinic. And he knew right away which program I was talking about. He said, 'Oh that's wonderful.' ''

Stevenson, a feminist and Clinton supporter, had to admit this: "He's very impressive.''

Click here to read the full story:

http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2008/06/04/2100/clinton_supporters_wowed_with_warm_reception_at_obama_rally

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