Speaking before a gathering of some 1,000 “Women for Obama” on Monday at a Palmer House luncheon, Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, shared why she believes her husband is the best leader t
Speaking before a gathering of some 1,000 “Women for Obama” on Monday, July 28, at a Palmer House luncheon, Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, shared why she believes her husband is the best leader to support women and their families, and to enact policies to help them reclaim The American Dream.
Michelle, who kicked off “Women for Obama” here in Chicago in April 2007, has helped it develop into a coast-to-coast network of tens of thousands of women engaged in direct, women-to-women grassroots and online organizing and fundraising support for Sen. Obama. They have focused on peer-to-peer outreach to help women know where he stands on issues that matter most to them and their families.
“We are all united because we know of the importance of women’s voices and votes in this election,” she said to the guests who had shelled out $500 to $1,000 to be there, one of whom was her mom, Marian Robinson.
“We will decide the outcome. And our vote is only growing. In 2000, 52 percent of voters were women; in 2004, we made up 54 percent. This year will be even more,” Michelle said.
She focused on the struggles and concerns of working women and families: the economy, health care, child care, equal pay for equal work, domestic violence, world-class education for children, plans to promote flexible work arrangements and family values policies
“Barack will expand the Family and Medical Leave Act,” she said, “so that millions of women will be able to take time off to care for a baby or an elderly parent–or just have a few hours to attend a parent-teacher conference or take a child to the doctor.” Concluding, she thanked the women, “for your support and for being a part of this journey. We are so grateful for all that you do for the campaign and for us. We could do none of this without you–and together, we will bring change to this country.”
And for that, a warm, rousing and lengthy standing ovation!
______ Photo courtesy of Associated Press
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