Women and Politics

Finding republican women that would speak publicly on the issues has been a surprising challenge at the Republican National Convention. Minnesota is known for a moderate to democratic political base. Many of the women I was able to get to agree to do a podcast were not Republicans. Broadening women’s perspective on politics, I ran into Kate near the MSNBC tent. Kate is here for the Ron Paul Convention. Here is what Kate had to say:

I have reached Larimer Street and it is still buzzing with the excitement of the night. People are stopping traffic as crowds move through the streets. Many are on their way to restaurants to get something to eat and some are going to celebrate. The streets and the sidewalks are overcrowded. Dacia agrees to talk to me, sharing her perspective, another “Woman on the Street”:

Walking from Invesco Field, I see Tony waiting among her friends to be picked up to return to her hotel. She was still carrying the signs and that special ticket draped around her neck. She was still excited about the night. Here is what Tony had to say:

[The content below is a paraphrased summary of the Obama speech made at the DNC this week. It in no way is meant to express the political inclinations of the author or the WCFF.]

After the surprise visit to the Pepsi Center on Thursday, Senator Barack Obama arrived at the Invesco field after a build up of anticipation from supporters of the Democratic Party. By 2:00 PM the 16th Street Mall started to empty. The protesters had moved. In every store, shop or restaurant you could hear the buzz about going to Invesco field. Although, for security reasons, the light rail didn’t go straight to the field. Some people walked miles to get there.

You had to have a special ticket to in order to get in to the field. The ticket included a security code so no one could copy it. The change from the Pepsi Center to Invesco field meant more people would get to see Senator Barack Obama accept the Democratic Nomination for President. The amount of people increased from about 45,000 people to about 80,000 who had tickets to get through security and into the arena. Reminding some of a similar time when John F. Kennedy (JFK) accepted the nomination. Many remained just outside, not able to get in but wanting to be close enough to watch on the monitors.

The star-studded event included entertainment from John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Stevie Wonder. Speeches from Al Gore, Governor Bill Richardson, Governor Tim Kaine, and V.P. nominee Joe Biden warmed up the crowd for Obama’s highly anticipated appearance. Senator Dick Durbin introduced Obama with the video of his life.

Obama is greeted with cheers, chants, and tears as he thanks the crowd that isn’t really giving him a chance to speak. He accepts the Presidential nomination and then expresses his thanks to all the candidates and thanked Bill Clinton. He gives a special thanks to Senator Hillary Clinton as he references the opportunities she has opened up for women and his daughters. He talks about Ted Kennedy, his family, and Biden before he begins to talk about the economy. He addresses a list of issues including the economy, healthcare, and education. Obama talks about home loss, mortgage crisis, high cost of tuition, and credit cards. He tells stories of people’s live affected by illness, outsourcing of jobs, and homeless veterans.

He talks about his opponent Senator John McCain and how closely his policies are similar to President Bush with snappy lines like “Eight is Enough,” referring to a 80’s family TV show and describing the last eight years of the Bush administration. Obama goes on to say, if McCain’s policies is 90% close to the previous administration he doesn’t want to take a 10% chance on repeating those eight years. Obama gives credit to McCain by saying “he just doesn’t get it.”

Obama:

“McCain subscribes to a philosophy that prosperity will trickle down, the market will take care of health care and and that anyone in poverty should pull themselves up by their bootstraps even if they don’t have boots.”

Obama goes on to explain that it is time for a change and this is why he is running for President. He talks about measures of success by describing progress with increase in jobs similar to when the economy increased the salaries of Americans by $7,500 during the Clinton administration. Obama uses stories of American families shared with him and compares them to challenges for his mother, grandfather, and gives a special tribute to his grandmother, calling them his heroes.

He indicates that he has a 10-year plan to end the dependence on oil from the Middle East. Raising 15 billion dollars to new energy sources and five million new jobs that won’t be outsourced. He discusses his education plans. He covers issues for women including equal pay, reproductive health and unintended pregnancies. He spoke of important issues in the gay rights community. Obama addressed the Second Amendment, referring to protecting the law but keeping AK47’s off the streets and out of criminals hands. He talks about the war in Iraq, concerns in Iran and Georgia. Ensuring veterans have equipment in battle and care when they come home.

Obama:

“Patriotism has no party. I love this country and so do you and so does John McCain.” “Those men and women that have fought in wars together have not served a red or blue America, they have served the United States of America.”

Acknowledging that change will not be easy, Obama talks about the change that will come to Washington with contributions from both the government and parents responsible for doing their part in making “change” happen.

Obama:

“The change we need does not come from Washington; change comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it.”

He goes on to talk about some of the change he has seen over the duration of his campaign.

Obama:

“Youth voting for the first time, and the Republicans that thought they would never pick up a Democratic ballot, but did.”

He talks about the American promise that 45 years ago today Americans from all four regions came to the Lincoln Memorial to hear a preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.

Obama:

“Together our dreams can be one. America we can not turn back with so much work to be done.”

“Let’s keep that promise, an American promise”

Tess and Holland were on 15th street, getting ready to go into a restaurant, when I stumbled up them. They were eager to talk to me about Senator Hilary Clinton’s speech. They had very different views. One was clearly a supporter of Clinton and the other Obama. They were good friends, telling me stories about sharing clothes and always going out to interesting places with each other. Although they were friends supporting different candidates it was evident that they did not let it affect their friendship.  One struggles with her words while the other is more certain about how Clinton’s speech influenced her decision to support Obama. Listen in:

Ilana Goldman, President of Women’s Campaign Forum, explains to women why they should be involved in politics. There are three key things that women should know about how they can take part in the the political process each day. View the video to find out what they are:

After some plane trouble, a fueling, un-fueling and re-fueling problem, I finally make it to Denver, Colorado. The convention activities are already underway and I find getting around Denver a challenge. Local transportation is not as simple as one might think. However, everyone is friendly and I am greeted with “Welcome to Denver” signs held by Denver locals. The activities ahead at the National Democratic Convention are exciting.