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Lincoln, other women senators unveil campaign goals Wednesday, Jun 18, 2008 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Democratic women senators unveiled their 2008 campaign agenda Tuesday with a 10-point "checklist" modeled after the lists they said women use to manage their daily activities. Among items in the "checklist for change" are government reform in health care, wage equity, the economy and the environment. The women senators, including Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., are expected to take their effort across the country this election season as they campaign for Democratic congressional candidates and for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. "We women make lists," Lincoln said. "I know my list this week is consumed of what most other working moms are doing, whether it's a health-care form for summer camp, a carpool or soccer tryouts or doughnuts for the end-of-school party ... . This is the list for all of America." The group's agenda calls for energy independence, universal health care, better veterans benefits and a revamped Federal Emergency Management Agency. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., said it was her group's special task as women to focus on the "macaroni-and-cheese issues" that affect the American family. The group's goal is to help gain a stronger Democratic majority in the Senate, Mikulski added. There are currently 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans in the Senate. Two others caucus with Democrats to give the Democratic party a 51-49 majority. Democrats hope to bolster their majority this year, and they likely will, according to many projections. But a "filibuster-proof" majority of 60 members would be difficult to attain. With such a majority, Democrats could prevent filibusters, parliamentary maneuvers used by the minority party to thwart legislation. Republicans were skeptical about whether the group would accomplish its changes, saying that Democrats two years ago used change as a catalyst to win a Senate majority. "Democrats were just as eager to talk about change in 2006 in order to win the election, but the American people have yet to see the change they promised," said Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. "How can voters be sure that this time they really mean it?" Ten of the 11 Democratic women senators are scheduled to take to the Senate floor today to talk about their checklist. Other campaign events are scheduled through the summer, and plans are being made for the women's role at the Democratic National Convention in August. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., was the only female Democratic senator not to attend a news conference about the checklist Tuesday. Her colleagues said Clinton supports the goals of the group and will join the campaign later this year. Clinton lost to Obama in a close race for the presidential nomination. She had been endorsed by Lincoln, who has since pledged to support Obama. |
