WASHINGTON–White women voters have become the talk of the election and the prize for candidates trying to win their vote.
WASHINGTON–White women voters have become the talk of the election and the prize for candidates trying to win their vote. Leaders of several national women’s organizations primarily composed of White women recently came together to say Sen. Barack Obama is their candidate.
Representing “millions and millions of women,” the National Organization of Women Political Action Committee, the Feminist Majority PAC, the National Association of Social Workers, the Business and Professional Women’s PAC and the National Congress of Black Women made the voices of everyday women heard.
“From teachers to social workers, from business owners to college students, women in this country are lining up behind the candidate who is out there everyday standing up—clearly and consistently—for women,” said Kim Gandy, president of NOW. “Women of all ages, races and ethnicities are coming together in support of Sen. Obama and his pledge to fulfill this country’s promise of equal opportunity for our daughters as well as all our sons.”
Each of the organizations had completed an issue-by-issue comparison of the candidates’ records prior to the announcement and each independently came to the conclusion that Obama was the best man for women’s rights and women’s issues.
“Women simply cannot afford a President McCain,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority. “He would stack the Supreme Court and federal judiciary against women’s reproductive and economic rights for future generations; stubbornly pursue a policy of endless war no matter the cost in human lives and dollars; and continue Bush failed economics and political policies.”
These organizations do not regularly endorse presidential candidates. NOW supported Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate has forced these groups to take an aggressive stand in this election.
“John McCain just doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand women voters and especially Hillary voters. Sarah Palin is no Hillary Clinton. You can’t attract Hillary voters and women voters with a woman opposed to what Hillary stands for,” said Smeal.
Polls showed a dramatic switch in white women voters from Obama to McCain immediately after the announcement of his vice presidential pick of Gov. Palin.
“We have to wait and see if these numbers hold true,” said Smeal.
Special to the NNPA from the Final Call
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