- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
Obama Warms up to Women on the Trail
Email
ShareJune 23, 2008 9:29 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: Sen. Barack Obama made a strong appeal to women in Albuquerque, N.M., today, just days before hitting the trail with Sen. Hillary Clinton.
The one-time Democratic rivals will join forces on Thursday in Washington, D.C., at a fundraiser and appear publicly on Friday stumping in the appropriately named Unity, N.H.
In New Mexico today, Obama was introduced by New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who admitted she was a Clinton supporter before Obama officially clinched the nomination three weeks ago. Obama praised Clinton as an "extraordinary woman" and spoke of an America full of equal opportunities for men and women.
"Standing here today, I know that we have drawn closer to making this America because of extraordinary women like the lieutenant governor and the first lady [of New Mexico, Barbara Richardson] and the extraordinary woman who I shared a stage with so many times throughout this campaign –- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton," Obama said to the small roomful of women. "In the months and years ahead, I look forward to working with her and women across the country to make progress on the issues that matter to American women and to all American families -– health care, education, support for working parents and an insistence on equality."
He criticized Sen. John McCain, his likely opponent in the presidential campaign, who he said does not support a number of policies that are important for women's rights.
Obama also talked about his "rock" -- his wife Michelle, and being raised by his single mother and "Rose the Riveter" grandmother.
But not all women were a quick sell on an Obama presidency. Tough questions were tossed to the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee on healthcare, Pell grants and taxes. One woman asked bluntly if the senator would follow through on his political talking points and get things done.
Obama responded that it is his family who grounds him and explained he wouldn't run for commander-in-chief unless he knew it was worthwhile.
"I'm always comparing is what I'm doing, running for president, or even being president, worth the sacrifice of not being with my family. And the only way it makes it worthwhile is if I'm actually getting something done. Because if you're not getting something done then it's all just vanity," Obama explained.
He launched into his run-ins with fame, saying he'd be OK without the limelight.
"You know, I've gotten more than enough attention to last me a lifetime now. I mean if I just kind of pulled back I'd be OK. I've done Letterman, I've done the 'Daily Show,' been on the cover of Rolling Stone."
Transitioning to what he says matters, Obama reached into his pocket and pulled out a number of lucky charms given to him by voters who he said have been "investing their hope" in him.
"This side I usually don't show in these town hall meetings, but I carry around all these -- I have all these things that people give me ... all these different little good luck charms that I get handed," Obama said, turning a handful of shiny objects toward the semi-circle of seated women.
Among the charms was an eagle given to him by a Native American woman and a lucky poker chip given to him by another voter who met him on the campaign trail.
Obama explained, "They'll hand it to you and they'll say I want you to be well but I want you to fight for me. And they'll talk about not having healthcare for their family. Or they'll talk about being laid off of a job after working for 20 years."
June 23, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (43)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
All the CNN guys were laughing the Obama seal today. I think they all should apoligize for they'r unrespectfulnes, or they all should get fired.They may be just a bunch of racist idiots.
Posted by: Lucy | Jun 23, 2008 11:10:37 PM
alpaig - I am a women and, yes, all the issues you cited affect everyone, including Roe and Brown. Further, I have sifted through both candidates' positions and I have made my decision: I am voting for Hillary Clinton!
Posted by: Jeanne | Jun 23, 2008 11:16:26 PM
Obama can pander all he wants, but he will NEVER get this Hillary supporter's vote. Dean and Pelosi, et al, have made a huge mistake.
Posted by: Cardsgal | Jun 23, 2008 11:25:53 PM
JimmyTMac Both the Dems and Repubs have consisted of primarily white men throughout the course of our history so when Dems appointed women or minorities those weren't "tokens"? Do you really think Ferraro was the best candidate out there for VP for Mondale? She's even said her being put on the ticket was a symbolic gesture. I doubt Rice's appointment as Secretary of State was a mere "token". I also firmly believe, as do many others, that had Colin Powell at one point (pre- the UN speech about Iraq) seriously considered a Presidential run that I think he would have probably gotten the Republican nomination and potentially the Presidency. He opted to not run though.
For those for whom race is an issue a
conservative African-American would be far less of an issue then a liberal
African American.
Posted by: alpaig | Jun 23, 2008 11:49:50 PM
If you view the voting records of John McCain and other conservatives, JimmyTMac is correct.
Why would John McCain vote against equal pay for women and cite women need "training".
Posted by: Vanessa | Jun 23, 2008 11:58:56 PM
Sorry Melissa--guess I was carried away after reading so many posts from irrational Obama supporters. Those blogs was where I picked up those not-so-nice-expression that has been used against supporters of Clinton and McCain. Let's call a truce.
The white flag is up.
Posted by: Mary | Jun 24, 2008 12:16:17 AM
hey at least obama did not insult our lt. gov with his typical sexist remarks like 'get over it' or 'sweetie'.
Posted by: sonia trevino | Jun 24, 2008 12:19:10 AM
deb sorry i just read some of your other posts and realize the parody intended. it just sounds SOOOOOOOO obama lol
Posted by: sonia trevino | Jun 24, 2008 12:38:01 AM
Plays the violin for Obama
Best play 2 of them for Michelle, her kids only care where she is at bedtime.
I grew up dirt poor, but I always knew where my mom was, not just at bed time. My dearest memories were all of us playing games sitting around the kitchen table all evening, cuddling with mom on the sofa watching TV. etc,
I wonder how much the make over is going to cost the Obama's. Those poor people donating money so they can make a new image of themselves, reinvent themselves
learn how to be someone they are not. What gives.
Were they fakes before or now?
We do not want this kind of crap for a president.
It is a serious Position. Not a popularity contest like the obama's seem to think.
They need mental health
Psychotherapy (773) 684-1800 Hyde Park area
Obama followers pass this on to them.
Posted by: seah | Jun 24, 2008 12:43:11 AM
What a suck up. No change. Politics as usual.
Posted by: Mike | Jun 24, 2008 1:14:01 AM
Vanessa:
"Many women don't mind being called "sweetie". It's more of the tone being used that counts.
You're a man you could never know.
Obama has the women vote."
I'm a woman, and I mind it!
I'm a woman; he's NOT got MY vote!
I'm a WORKING WOMAN with four kids and a lot of friends but the ONLY one I want to call me "sweetie"... is my "sweetie"!
Obama suffers from a serious case of megalomania; you'd better rein him in before he becomes dangerous..
well, at least before he upsets members of every race, creed and sex with his unthinking, unfeeling gaffes!
Hillary was the best!
Most of her followers wioll N O T be casting their vote for B O.
So sorry, but
Posted by: eyes wide open | Jun 24, 2008 1:34:50 AM
Looks like he tried to charm women.
Becareful...
Posted by: catleya | Jun 24, 2008 1:50:52 AM
LOL
Obama desperate for woman votes.
Obama sucks and will be a horrible President.
Most woman are not taken in by his mind games.
He might be able to run his smooth hynotic trans like mind conditioning on some fools, but most woman are immune to it.
We sense a creep and know when someone lies about their own family and friends.
They care about anything, except themselves.
Playing 10 year old school boy games. shows you are not worth anyones vote.
This new game of remaking yourself is to the point of disgust. Do you really think Americans are so stupid.
Go away Obama and take the koolaide kids with you.
Posted by: seah | Jun 24, 2008 2:02:11 AM
If Obama's wife catches him "warming to women" on the campaign trail, she'll cut his gonads off
Posted by: malach hamovess | Jun 24, 2008 2:15:07 AM
Obama can't walk the walk. Interesting data taken from the Report of the Secretary of the Senate, which covered the six-month period ending Sept. 30, 2007.
Non-intern female employees did better working on the Senate staffs of John McCain and Hillary Clinton during the latest public reporting period than they did working for Barack Obama, Cybercast News Service determined through an analysis of payroll data published by the Secretary of the Senate.
Both McCain and Clinton also employed more female than male staffers, while Obama employed more males than females.
Also, McCain and Clinton had more female than male staffers making six-figure salaries, while Obama had more male than female staffers making six-figure salaries.
Obama is a johnny come lately to anything involving women's issues having voted "present" to each of the issues dealing with a woman's right to choose while serving in Illinois.
Let's reflect a woman's right to choose in November and vote "no" to Obama.
Posted by: beebop | Jun 24, 2008 6:00:12 AM
The only way this man can warm to me and get my vote is if he choses Hillary as his running mate (VP) or else I type Hillary in come november!!!!!
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | Jun 24, 2008 6:19:07 AM
It would be great if McCain would select a strong woman like Kay Bailey Hutchison to be his VP. I think it would really change the dynamics of the race.
Posted by: Asia2PA | Jun 24, 2008 6:37:08 AM
No Hillary as VP - no vote for Obama.
Simple as that......
Posted by: ch | Jun 24, 2008 8:09:26 AM
Sorry, I just can't "get over it." And as a woman and a mother, I'm having a hell of a time "getting over" Obama's full support and backing of partial birth abortions. These are live, breathing infants that are killed. Wait, did I call them infants, oops, according to Obama they are problems. The original Family Guy.
Posted by: Embarrassed Dem | Jun 24, 2008 9:36:36 AM
---JimmyTMac---Why make such an outlandish remark about Senator McCain and the Republicans. Did you go to THE OBAMA FINISHING SCHOOL for campaign workers and supporters?
JimmyTMac, you are an idiot.
Posted by: Maggie | Jun 24, 2008 1:25:41 PM
Post a comment
