Obama Focuses on Women Voters in Florida
(DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.) - Barack Obama has been courting working women voters for two days now, pulling out all the stops to show this crucial demographic that he is a strong supporter of women's issues. At a campaign event at Bethune-Cookman University, Obama was surrounded by dozens of women on stage, including Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz., and Gov. Kathleen Sebelieus, D-Kan., when he broke out into song while speaking about his wife, Michelle.
"I've seen Michelle juggle work and parenting with more skill and grace than anyone I know. She's like that Chaka Khan song," Obama said and began singing "I'm every woman" as the crowd roared.
Recent polls have shown that the race between Obama and McCain in Florida is tight, but Obama hopes that woman can help put him over the top.
Today, he blasted John McCain on a slew of issues, suggesting that he would be a poor proponent of women's issues. "My opponent actually opposed legislation to help women get equal pay," Obama said.
He later added that McCain voted against the Violence Against Women Act, noting that Joe Biden helped author the legislation.
Obama also explained his position on abortion rights, by saying that he "understands that five men on the Supreme Court don't know better than women and their doctors and their families and their pastors about what's best in these wrenching circumstances." He added, "That's why I won't back down when it comes to defending the freedom of women."
Obama even gave a shout out to his former Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton – who he says "put 18 million cracks in that glass ceiling so that my daughters – and all our sons and daughters – could dream a little bigger and reach a little higher."