by Matthew Hay Brown
After a primrary season divided between two of their colleagues, the Democratic women of the Senate rallied together behind a 10-item Checklist for Change they said they would pursue through the rest of the election season.
"This is a way to show that whether you were for Hillary or whether you were for Barack, that we've come together," said Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, who was a national co-chairwoman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. "It's all part of our momentum for the campaign."
Mikulski and fellow Clinton supporters Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington, Dianne Feinstein of California, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan now will be working to woo women, seen as a key segment of the electorate, on behalf of Barack Obama.
Joined by Obama supporters Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Claire McCaskill of Missouri, and Barbara Boxer of California, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, who remained neutral during the primary campaign, they unveiled a to-do list that included providing equal pay for equal work, keeping jobs in America, making healthcare affordable and taking care of military families and veterans.
"We've looked at the macro issues," Mikulski said. "But also, it's our special task to look at the macaroni-and-cheese issues - the issues that affect American families."
The event this morning took place at Sewall-Belmont House and Museum on Capitol Hill, the home of National Woman's Party founder and Equal Rights Amendment author Alice Paul.
Conspicuous in her absence was Clinton, who participated in a similar event two years ago. Mikulski said Clinton would be joining the effort this summer.
Other items on the checklist: restoring America's credibility in the world, protecting the environment, making American energy independent, preparing for future disasters, enforcing fiscal accountability and protecting the family checkbook.
In 2006, the Demcoratic women took their checklist on the road, campaigning for Klobuchar and McCaskill, then challenging for Senate seats, and for Senate Democrats running for reelection. This year, they're planning DVDs and webcasts, and to play a "prominent role" at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.
• 
• 
• 
• 
Comments
Read the checklist, if you want a laugh. It's as if Winnie-the Pooh drew up the checklist. The points are either vague (make "health care" "affordable"), meanlingless feel-good, or downright silly. With no mention of how us beleaguered taxpayers are supposed to pay for it.
Perhaps someone in the media will ask why, if the Democrats run both houses of Congress, their fellow Democrats refuse to pass even one of these items.
Posted by: Bruce | June 17, 2008 2:46 PM
Equal pay for equal work, keeping jobs in America, making healthcare affordable and taking care of military families and veterans.
These left-wing priorities are all out of touch with America.
The true priorities should be the Republican priorities of tax breaks for corporations, tax cuts for the richest 3% of Americans, tax incentives to outsource American jobs, endless debt.
A vote for Obama gives you the former; a vote for McCain gives you the latter. The choice is clear.
Posted by: Paul | June 17, 2008 3:20 PM
" ~ tax cuts for the richest 3% of Americans, ..."
Posted by: Paul | June 17, 2008 3:20 PM
That would be folks like, well, me.
I am so with joy that the top dog in my engineering class talked me out of taking the democrat pledge to poverty on the first day with our new employer. We were not even particularly friends. There is a palpable difference between rich and poor. Rich is better.
Posted by: Django Scott - Houston, Tx | June 17, 2008 7:04 PM
Won't matter who meets or what their checklist it. Obama will never win unless he has Hillary Clinton as his VP...Otherwise a vote for Obama will be a vote for McCain and another Republican President...THAT WE DO NOT NEED...Come on Obama..Get HRC on the ticket and together you can accomplish change....BRING OUR TROOPS HOME..
Posted by: kaye c. | June 17, 2008 8:22 PM
THIS IS A JOKE! It is an insult to women's intelligence!!
They want to court the female vote that was FOR HILLARY but, they DID NOT have Hillary leading the way or EVEN present.
The Senate or the Congress NEVER get anything done. Why is this ANY different.
If Claire McCaskill and other's that turned their back on Hillary when women's rights had a REAL CHANCE - if they think this ONE STUPID statement and move will MOVE US - they are idiots.
And, to be at Alice Paul's house to make the announcement - I am ashamed. VERY ASHAMED!
They are all trying to save their own hides when re-election comes up for ALL of them as the two-party system IS DEAD and it is time for "the citizens" of this country to take charge!!
Posted by: J in NOLA | June 18, 2008 12:58 PM