What Women Want From Obama

ALBANY, NY (07/22/2008)(readMedia)-- Obama must do more to gain women's vote than to simply tell us that he is the least of two evils. He must come bearing gifts! We are not talking about candy and flowers here. NOW-New York State is proposing a list of gifts he must bring:

1) Four or five Supreme Court Justices should be pro-choice women and all appointments to all courts should be pro-choice.

2) Howard Dean (the mute DNC Chair) must be replaced with a woman, who will not sit back quietly while sexist attacks are levied against women candidates.

3) Super delegates must reflect gender equality. Closely contested elections should not be decided by a predominantly male body of super delegates, composed of mostly elected officials who are overwhelmingly male

4) Changes must be made in the Democratic Primary system.

a) Caucuses are not democratic. Attendance is low and many voters, particularly women (who may be busy with children), cannot devote two evening hours to attending a caucus. When caucuses were originally set up, politics was a predominantly male game. We should be making voting easier and more accessible, not continuing with arcane, restrictive and sexist traditions.

b) Caucuses have open voting where the women are often intimidated by the men. In a secret ballot women can vote their conscience. We still live in a sexist society; and people should not be intimidated by public votes.

5) Many misogynists from other parties crossed over party lines to vote in the Democratic primaries. In fact Obama counted on this. He didn't want a re-vote in Florida or Michigan because the Republicans had already voted. If we ever get another woman candidate who can make a serious bid for the presidency, misogynists from other parties should not determine the Democratic candidate. Women make up two thirds of the Democratic party; and our effect should not be diluted by the primary/caucus process. When there is work to be done, when there are close votes, and when there are close races, women are the backbone of the Democratic Party. When it comes to choosing the Democratic nominee, women's votes must be represented proportionally.

Before women have another opportunity for the presidency, there should be a level playing field. In case we get another chance, we need assurances that this misogynist sleight-of-hand won't happen again. Obama must bear these gifts. Then we can talk.