Barack Obama is not using reproductive rights as the centerpiece of his outreach campaign to women. Rather, he's focusing on "economic security for America's working women," and particularly the issue of equal pay. From a campaign press release:
CHICAGO, IL—Over the next two days, Barack and Michelle Obama will hold campaign events to highlight Obama’s plan to provide economic security for America’s working women. Obama’s plan directly addresses the challenges that women and families face affording quality child care, juggling personal and professional commitments, and coping with soaring prices.
"I don't accept an America where a woman earns less than a man for the same work, or an America that makes women choose between their kids and their careers. It's unacceptable that women are denied jobs or promotions because they've got kids at home. It's unacceptable that 22 million working women don't have a single paid sick day,” Senator Obama said. “When I'm President, we'll take these critical issues head-on and help women and families thrive in a changing economy.”
Is this a savvy move to keep the contentious issue of abortion out of the candidate's most public rhetoric? Or another indication that Obama is running away from liberal positions on key domestic issues?
--Dana Goldstein
