Home > Politics > Political Radar

« Previous | Main | Next »

Obama's Efforts to Woo Women Overshadowed by the Economy

Share

September 19, 2008 4:48 PM

ABC's David Kerley, Andy Fies, and Sunlen Miller report: Barack Obama knows he needs independent women to win in November. They've been called soccer moms and security moms. He's running against a self-proclaimed hockey mom.

So, maybe it's not surprising that two out of three events during a swing through the Southeast, and a rally today by Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, are all aimed at women. But the troubles on Wall Street are keeping these "Obama women" events off the front pages.

Obama came to Coral Gables, Florida (a state leaning toward McCain) hoping to secure some of those security moms. The Obama campaign believes it has a better chance at attracting female Independent voters versus men who considered themselves Independents. A campaign official tells ABC news, "There are more female voters than men in the middle that we can pick up."

The Democrat did employ some of his strongest language during the campaign in support of women's rights. Obama says his opponent Sen. John McCain considers the US Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling a "flawed decision." The Democrat added that "change means a president who will stand up for choice, who understands that five men on the Supreme Court don't know better than women and their families and their doctors about what’s best for their health."

In front of an enthusiastic crowd of 7,000 mostly women, Obama praised the paths blazed by his mother and grandmother, and "women like my friend, Hillary Clinton who put those 18 million cracks in that glass ceiling. So that my daughters and all our on and daughter could dream a little bigger, reach a little higher."

The nod to his former rival got the biggest cheer and applause. The Illinois Democrat often mentions equal pay for equal work when he speaks at rallies. But at this stop he brought it up twice, forcibly. He charged that his opponent is ignoring the issue. "You'd think that solving these problems would be a high priority for anybody running for president in this country. Well, you haven't met my opponent, John McCain," said Obama.

It was a concerted effort by the campaign today. Obama in Florida, and his running-mate in another swing state. Senator Joe Biden, at a women's rally in Sterling, Virginia connected the economic trouble directly to his audience. "When the economy goes south who are the first people who get hurt the most? It's women, it's women. And I tell ya what, we're gonna change that," the Delaware Senator said.

While Obama is talking about women's issues, he is also spending time talking about the woes of Wall Street. It's what's grabbing the headlines and diverting attention from his courtship with all those "mom's" who may decide the November election.

September 19, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (129)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Obama lead amongst women is back on track... 14% margin.

The Palin bounce/hype is over.

Posted by: Vanessa | Sep 19, 2008 4:53:54 PM

Headlines don't win elections. Votes do.

Posted by: PJ | Sep 19, 2008 4:57:16 PM

Bush 04 State:

Iowa: Obama +11
New Mexico: Obama +8
Ohio: Obama +1
Colorado: Obama +10

Posted by: Vanessa | Sep 19, 2008 4:58:23 PM

NOW Hillary Clinton is his friend?! After all the hateful and nasty things he said about her? And - now he wants to court her supporters, after the abuse we have suffered at the hands of his associates and supporters (and he's never tried to stop it). Even just recently when that rap singer (sorry, can't remember his name) called Hillary Clinton a b*&^(), he didn't lift a finger to stop it.

I don't know about the rest of you women voters, but I'm not going to be used by someone who only cares about his own ambition.

Posted by: no thanks obama | Sep 19, 2008 5:01:46 PM

I am so proud of Barack Obama.
God bless him. God bless the U.S.A!

As for John McCain, he needs to explain why he supported the Republican filibuster of the LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT.

If you think cased of intentional sexual discrimination should be dismissed as a result of the OFFENDER hiding the evidence, you should vote for John McCain.

But if you have a sister, or a wife, or a mother who has to work for a living, you should vote out the Republican party.

They are the ones that brought us STAGNANT middle class wages, an economy on the brink of disaster, and a war that is costing 13 BILLION DOLLARS a month, not $1 of which helps us 1) educate our kids to compete in a global economy 2) repair our bridges and infrastructure before they fall into the Mississippi or 3) change our economy to use renewable, American sources of energy!

Posted by: John | Sep 19, 2008 5:01:53 PM

He doesn't need to "win over" women

he already is go looknat the numbers...

because...drum roll

women aren't stupid...like Mccain tries to play them to be.

I think that is because honestly I think Mccain has some very "old school" views on women.

the jokes say enough.

Posted by: dl(the real one) | Sep 19, 2008 5:03:42 PM

If Obama cared about women and women's issues, he'd have put Hillary on the ticket, she deserved the honor (Sweetie). Now he wants to woo women back. . .a little late. I do not want him using abortion as an inflammatory wedge issue in this campaign (I thought he was a different type of politician). . .

Posted by: Margaret | Sep 19, 2008 5:10:04 PM

no thanks obama: What??? exactly what hateful things did he say about her?? Facts here please.

Posted by: beck | Sep 19, 2008 5:10:28 PM

McCain is now the OFFICIAL candidate for the people and party who brought us:

Watergate, the Trillion Dollar War, Blackwater, Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, Fannie Mae, The Mortgage Meltdown, No Bid Contract, Katrina, Harriet Miers, Abu Ghraib, Alberto Gonzalez, Halliburton, Body Armor, Guantanamo, Waterboarding, Axis of Evil, Shock and Awe, Mission Accomplished! Karl Rove, John Bolton, more soldiers coming home in flag draped boxes, Donald Rumsfeld, Sara AND Todd Palin, Troopergate, the Bridge to Nowhere, the Keating Five, and many other dead end ideas, crushing national debts,and foreign policy debaucles.

Posted by: beck | Sep 19, 2008 5:11:44 PM

Why won't Sarah Palin talk to the national press? This IS a national election, right?

What is she afraid of?

Why is she hiding?

Palin = LIPSTICK ON A BUSH

Posted by: Ed from MA | Sep 19, 2008 5:18:37 PM

What a hypocrite! Yes Hillary put 18 millions cracks in the glass ceiling, but when he had the chance to let her finally breakthrough that ceiling, he stomped all over her, and selected a MAN instead. Go to Hell!

NO WAY, NO HOW, NO TIME - NOBAMA!!!!

Posted by: Never Obama | Sep 19, 2008 5:18:46 PM

Posted by: Vanessa | Sep 19, 2008 5:19:08 PM

Maybe there are more of us out there, for Obama, than you think. I've never been polled in my entire life. I'm 61 and can't wait to vote this Nov.

I don't want "some one just like me". I'm not smart enough to be VP. I am, however, smart enough to research my choices.

By the way, what are the polsters going to do about all the people who only have a cell phone. They have no idea what they are going to do. It must drive them crazy.

Posted by: One More | Sep 19, 2008 5:19:21 PM

ALL REPUBLICANS ARE LIARS, CHEATS AND CROOKS!!!

And the two that are running now McPalin and McHoover are the biggest LIARS and crooks of them all!!

There hasn't been an honest Republican since Abraham Lincoln!!

Fix that with your POW CARD McSenile!!!

Posted by: Davis | Sep 19, 2008 5:23:12 PM

More hateful Repub haters spewing their hateful hate at everything decent and positive in the world.

I thought Repubs claim to be Christians. Note to hateful Repub haters: CHRIST WASN'T A HATER.

CHRISTIANS DON'T HATE.

Stop your HATING.

Posted by: Ed from MA | Sep 19, 2008 5:23:21 PM

Obama didn't pick Hillary because she would have outshined him. He is all about himself, It made no sense to pick Biden, of all people. What a slap to Hillary. NO OBAMA. And Sarah has talked to the National press, Hannity for one, and will talk to Katie Curic this weekend.

Posted by: casey | Sep 19, 2008 5:28:27 PM

Remember that grilling she got from Charlie Gibson too. He was an ass.

Posted by: Pamela | Sep 19, 2008 5:29:53 PM

Ed and Davis, do you not have any Republican friends? Do you really feel that way about someone who votes Republican that YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW?

Posted by: Kitty | Sep 19, 2008 5:31:18 PM

A softball interview on Fox News doesn't count as a national press availability.

SARAH PALIN IS HIDING.

TODD PALIN IS HIDING.

McCAIN'S A POW!!!

PALIN IS MIA.

Posted by: Ed from MA | Sep 19, 2008 5:32:51 PM

Women will support Obama because he supports them on all issues they are facing today: equal pay, equal rights, and gender equality. Come November 2008 women will rally behind Obama/Biden ticket and run away from the two very extremists on women and social issues. McCain and Palin have nothing to offer to women, they will continue the same failed WBush policies. God save America from McCain and Palin. God bless America and God bless Obama.

Posted by: BKMC | Sep 19, 2008 5:33:32 PM

Next Comments »

Post a comment