Discussion: How will we get women to unite around Obama?

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ChelseaKellogg	How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 11 2008, 2:44 PM EDT Many political pundits are worried for Barack Obama about his ability to get the white working class vote. It is important for him to court the working class vote, but I believe it is equally important for him bring women to the Obama campaign. How do we, as representatives of the Obama campaign, reach out to the woman vote? Thoughts? Post reply 8 out of 9 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you? Keyword tags: campaigning Obama women
pamkeeley@mac.com	1. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 11 2008, 6:10 PM EDT "Many political pundits are worried for Barack Obama about his ability to get the white working class vote. It is important for him to court the working class vote, but I believe it is equally important for him bring women to the Obama campaign. How do we, as representatives of the Obama campaign, reach out to the woman vote? Thoughts?" Good thinking, Chelsea. I am 57 and have run into Clinton supporters, some my age in my neighborhood and precinct, others who are friends, and others at work (I'm a nurse at Swedish Hospital) who are not just pro-Clinton, but decidedly anti-Obama. The thing that strikes me about all of them, whether they are highly educated or the woman who mops our ward, is their very, very fierce allegiance to Clinton - loyalty to the point of excluding not only Obama but the entire Democratic Party if she does not get the nomination. You're right, it's a big and serious issue. Perhaps we can get people brainstorming before the state convention and then gather other interested folks there to strategize for the summer and fall. It definitely needs to have a well-considered, diplomatic, respectful approach. Thanks! pamkeeley@mac.com Post reply 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
ChelseaKellogg	2. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 11 2008, 8:24 PM EDT Thanks for your insight Pam! I have run across some similarly minded female Clinton supporters. I work for Planned Parenthood and some of our political consultants believe the Democrats should not focus resources on women. I disagree. I believe that; a) Obama's message of Hope and Change are messages that transcend race and gender, thus we should not exclude women from his future constituents. b) The next president chooses the next three justices, and most women have come to appreciate the right to have domain over their own bodies and don't want to see Roe v. Wade overturned. Finally, many women see Clinton's failed run for the white house as a rejection of a powerful woman and an affirmation of a glass ceiling. I think it is imperative to stress that people aren't attracted to Obama's movement because he male. I agree: more discussion is needed, and the convention would be a great place to do that. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ChelseaKellogg	3. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 11 2008, 8:26 PM EDT "because he male" should be "because he is male" Post reply 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
BLhenderson	4. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 12 2008, 4:27 AM EDT Great question. I think definitely first starting from why people are anti-Obama is the first question to tackle and like Pam, I work and volunteer with a lot of women--older mostly, but in general who are not Anti-Obama the person so much as they are anti-Obama the man. Very general "man". How I've managed to even begin the dialog with a lot of the women I work with and know is to frame the conversation around what qualities attract them to Clinton and what issues they find important in our next President. Beyond Obama's hope and change message and right beside him is a really strong woman in Michelle that many that I've talked to have come to embrace as someone they can find themselves relating to when it comes to the choices women are often faced with when it comes to power, success and life in general. Personally, I have not seen this play out as an issues issue (if that makes sense) so much more as a personality issue. Which of course makes it tougher to tackle in that it isn't so much about educating folks about the issues (though especially on the significant POSITIVE impact of his Illinois Senate Present votes that were so misconstrued, I think that IS a key issue to re-educate women especially on). It is definitely about getting to the heart of why not him with the emphasis on him. If it comes down to having to frame it in a "your choices are these two men" and folks liked Clinton's policy stances, I think many will come back home with enough due dilligence on our parts. Great question! Bernadette Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
ChelseaKellogg	5. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 12 2008, 11:14 PM EDT I agree with much that you say Bernadette. Strong women willing to fight for their candidate are empowering to see. It is imperative when talking with these hardcore hardline Clinton supporters that our messages convey that Obama's candidacy is not an attack on feminism. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
lorinishome	6. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 13 2008, 4:02 PM EDT In an email thread to which I was included, feminist, activist, author and commentator, Gloria Feldt asserted that, "Once we have had a woman president, or maybe two, then perhaps we might have the luxury of giving choice greater value than self interest." The gist of the exchange being that, as women and feminists, we must support Senator Clinton, or we betray all women and the entire feminist movement. While I appreciate and benefit from all the years and sacrifice Ms. Feldt, Ms. Steinem and countless others have dedicated, I respectfully disagree. We will have a woman President, but it must be the right woman. If not, the door that so many have worked to open, will once again be closed. Hillary is not the right person for the job regardless of her sex. She is polarizing and not because she is a woman. We need the right leader in this fragile moment - Barack is that leader and not because he is a man. Barack is the right leader because he pulls people together, he enrolls them to be bigger than themselves. It is time for this nation to stand together as one people to solve the enormous problems facing us, facing the world. Barack's cross cultural, world view and sheer brilliance pull for that eventuality. Hillary does not have that attribute. That does not make her bad or wrong, just wrong for the moment. We will have a woman President - just not this woman at this time. This is not a feminist or anti-feminist issue, it is a human issue. As a woman and as a feminist, I support the best person to right the wrongs and heal the wounds of the past. I support the right person to move our nation forward in an intelligent, positive and humane direction. I support the person who empowers and inspires me. As a human being, I support Barack Obama. Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Ruth_Robbins	7. Stop listening to the Hillary rhetoric... May 14 2008, 2:38 AM EDT There's millions of women already supporting Obama. The issue here is supporting a woman just BECAUSE she's a woman rather than supporting her because she's the best candidate. This is what I've seen out of the women I've talked to. I think that when push comes to shove intelligence will win out -- but many of these women supporting HIllary aren't doing it on the merits of her ability to run the country -- unfortunately. We need to show ourselves to be strong women that support Barack on the issues rather than sex or race or anything else. We need to be an example of the real power of a thinking woman, and not a bandwagon jumper...I am a woman, but Hillary is not my candidate! Check out our own Mrs. Gregoire...she's a tremendous example of a woman that I would prefer to see in the whitehouse one day. Not Hillary... Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
jody4obama	8. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 14 2008, 3:20 AM EDT Any thoughts on wether Obama selecting Kathleen Sebelius as his VP would help matters? I just noticed that she was featured twice in the Vote For Change video that was sent out today. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
pamkeeley@mac.com	9. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 14 2008, 4:42 AM EDT I think it's a little too early for the answer to this question - there are many variables. A big one is what signals Hillary sends to her supporters. As we've seen, generosity is not her strong suit, but it's hard to know what pressures will be brought to bear upon her to unify the party. Clinton supporters will be left with the option to vote McCain or stay home, both of which impressive numbers say they will do. But, this is in the heat of these last weeks and time and reasoned appeals may heal some of the wounded. The fierce and blind loyalty of many Clinton supporters is, obviously, not always rationale. It has to do with something that, to me, feels very old and primitive in the collective psyche - something that works almost on the level of Greek tragedy. Talking to someone's unconscious mind from a completely different awareness is just about impossible - you have two entirely different discourses going on. But, this is what Obama has said he will do as President: talk and listen to people who don't agree with or like us, sit down with "the enemy". We are going to have an opportunity to do the same in a matter of days and we must summon our best selves for the adventure. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
lorinishome	10. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 14 2008, 12:02 PM EDT "Any thoughts on wether Obama selecting Kathleen Sebelius as his VP would help matters? I just noticed that she was featured twice in the Vote For Change video that was sent out today. " She is good, though a little dry on the stump. You might get more bang for your buck out of McCaskill. She would bring both Missouri and Kansas as well and will play better in states like NY, NJ, PA, VA, CO. Neither give any national security credentials, but you could negate some of that by naming some of the Cabinet early - specifically by naming a 4-star to DoD and/or National Security adviser. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
jody4obama	11. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 14 2008, 2:24 PM EDT Claire McCaskill might be good as well although with Sebelius you get the executive experience that some people put a lot of merit in. Although Bush had executive experience. I hope NARAL's endorsement today of Obama will begin a mental shift: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvzT8keHzVS3YjP8BJDDrf64A_AwD90LI70G0 Post reply Do you find this valuable?
ObamaKerry	12. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 14 2008, 3:50 PM EDT I love McCaskill but she is relatively new and we don't want to lose any of our great democratic Senators. I think the NARAL endorsement today is HUGE and will instrumental in bringing in the women vote, especially against John McCain who believes Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
JCraswell	13. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 15 2008, 3:29 PM EDT "the years and sacrifice Ms. Feldt, Ms. Steinem and countless others have dedicated, I respectfully disagree. We will have a woman President, but it must be the right woman. If not, the door that so many have worked to open, will once again be closed. Hillary is not the right person for the job regardless of her sex. She is polarizing and not because she is a woman. We need the right leader in this fragile moment - Barack is that leader and not because he is a man. " I very much agree with you Lorin. I have spoken with many women who ask "How do we not support Clinton, she is a woman". They feel that supporting Obama is a vote against Women's rights. My response to them is "Voting for Clinton because she is a woman is just a prejudice as not voting for her because she is a woman"! The issue for me is one of approach. Do we keep playing the game that the Republican machine has put forth and watch the back and forth where no one really wins, or do we refuse to play that divisive game and find a way to work together. The reality is that as long as we pit each other against each other, some battles we'll win, some we'll lose, but in the long run, we'll all be battle-scarred and we won't have solved anything. Obama takes a new approach. He refuses to play the game and reaches out across the aisle to find common ground. This disrupts politics as usual and lays before the world a new approach to solving the problems of our nation and eventually our world. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
MannyJacobowitz	14. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 15 2008, 8:24 PM EDT Once Senator Clinton is out of the race, most of her current supporters will come around, especially once the Attack Machine turns full on Obama. Nothing unifies a group like being attacked together. Besides, as the contributors to this thread said, the hard-core female Clinton supporters are that way precisely because they are strong feminists. For exactly that reason, few of them will be able to stomach voting for McCain and a Republican administration. That's not to say we shouldn't reach out, of course we must. People need to be asked, and they need to see an outstretched hand. But our outreach will have its strongest effect starting a week after Clinton bows out -- and it will work. I'm more concerned with how we sway some more Clinton delegates at the caucus. That's much harder, but we have to try. Not only do we need the extra national delegates, we need to lay ground to recruit these people to work for Obama in the general election. We will need their contacts, their drive, their experience. We'll need them on board, not just voting while holding their noses. I'm not saying we can do that all at once, but how do we at least make a start on Saturday? I can sing "Oh, the Clintons and Obamas should be friends" (with apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein) but I don't think that's the answer, somehow. :) Post reply 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
Daewoo_Kim	15. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 16 2008, 4:13 PM EDT If Obama had run a negative campaign against Clinton, it might be fair to conclude a vote for him is a vote against Clinton. But he ran a positive campaign that honored Clinton's contributions to society. We note that Obama was greatly influenced by his strong, single mother. Most Democrats of either gender are not single issue voters. We remind progressive women that Obama is a champion of many issues they care about. In 2006, he received 100% approval rating from: The League of Conservation Voters (he opposed drilling in ANWR, and in parts of Gulf of Mexico); AFL-CIO (he sponsored legislation blocking overtime restrictions by the Bush administration); Planned Parenthood. The National Education Association gives him an "A" on their most recent scorecard. We note that there is very little daylight between Obama's political platform and Clinton's. In contrast, McCain wants eight more years of Bush's failed policies: In Iraq, on Roe v Wade, the economy. We note that McCain has recently moved to the right to attract conservative voters. Post reply 3 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
megacious	16. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 17 2008, 12:02 AM EDT I believe that as the campaign moves forward, the vast majority of women will come around to Obama. The fact of the matter is that there will only be two viable choices--Obama and McCain. If these women want their vote to count, the obvious choice would be Obama because clearly, McCain does not have women's best interests at heart. He is not pro-choice, he is pro-Iraq war, he has admitted that he doesn't know much about the economy. Obama, on the other hand, has been endorsed by NARAL. He has a proven history of supporting women's rights. He has a plan for universal health care, he was against the war from the beginning, and he will address the economic disaster that George Bush got us into. I also believe that if Obama's campaign is any indication, if he is elected, he will surround himself with an excellent Cabinet, and he will not allow any infighting--that he really is serious about a "new kind of politics." I believe women will see the glaring differences between the two candidates and the choice will be obvious. I believe any residual anger about Hillary Clinton not being the nominee will dissipate after a while--and I really feel that stems from a sense among some that she was entitled to the nomination. Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
ObamaKerry	17. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 22 2008, 1:40 PM EDT I wanted to share my story that I think is a positive step in uniting the women of the party. As an Obama supporter, I decided to plan a food drive for Washington state's 1st Congressional District Caucus last Saturday. The idea was that Obama supporters would decorate collection boxes and we would collect food to donate to a local food bank on behalf of the campaign. As the day of the caucus neared, I was asked by members of my Legislative District at our monthly meeting to provide a collection box for the Clinton campaign. Initially, I was hesitant to do this and instead emailed one of the Clinton organizers of my plan to do a food drive and offered them the opportunity to participate and provide a decorated box. I soon received an email back from a nice young lady from the Clinton campaign who had been working on a similar project to collect food and money for Hopelink, a local community service agency. She called me and we coordinated our project. She designed a new flyer for our collection boxes with the slogan "One Party, One Purpose". On caucus day we were able to collect over $200 for the End Summer Hunger program for children and over 15 crates of non-perishable food items. Maybe more importantly, the Clinton person I worked with and I got along great and are already planning future projects. I really feel this is acting on something Obama speaks of often - setting aside your differences to find those things that we share in common. Kerry Lee 1st CD Obama delegate At-Large Candidate Post reply 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
pamkeeley@mac.com	18. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 22 2008, 2:59 PM EDT Last weekend at my CD caucus I spent time talking with Clinton supporters, mostly women in their 60's. I did NOT try to convince, persuade, argue, or reason with them. I just LISTENED. Two of them said, "you know, nobody ever listens to us - you're the first person with any interest. I know Obama is going to win, maybe now I will vote for him. I didn't know he had people like you." There's nothing special about me - only that I listened. Obama folks who say these (mostly) women will just come to their senses DO NOT GET IT. They have lived their lives in the shadows of male power and for them Hillary is a symbol of their own longed-for dreams. One cannot argue with mythology. Making assumptions that they will "wake up" is itself a kind of patronization - the injustices these folks have encountered are real. We must acknowledge their realities and recognize them as an essential part of the American family. When I was growing up in the 50's and 60's, I was told that, IF I insisted upon a career, I could be a teacher, a nurse, or a secretary. Being gay meant you were locked in the basement (my aunt), got shock treatments or worse. Racism was "naturalized". I've spent my life alongside others working to change these things and we have come a long way. But, in today's era of post-identity politics, some folks don't understand what all the fuss is about and take for granted the rights they have and ease with which they can be themselves. Let's work toward partnership! Post reply 4 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
megacious	19. RE: How will we get women to unite around Obama? May 27 2008, 7:00 PM EDT Arianna Huffington's post today on Huffington Post talked about "unmasking McCain" as the clear anti-choice candidate. If anything will rally women around Obama, it is that if McCain is elected, he would replace 88-year-old Justice John Paul Stevens with an anti-choice Justice who could tip the scales against Roe v Wade. And if another anti-choice Justice were to replace 75-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we may not have the right to choose for a long, long time. McCain has a 25-year history of voting against a woman's right to choose. On his campaign website, he states that he believes that Roe v Wade is a flawed decision and he is committed to overturning it. Do pro-choice women really want this man as their leader? I would think not. Post reply 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?

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Discussion: How will we get women to unite around Obama?

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