
I just got a chance to spend some time here at the Democratic National Convention with top Obama Campaign Advisor Valerie Jarrett.
In the video below, we discuss Senator Obama, Michelle Obama, the women's vote, and what it means to her to see an African-American man accept the Democratic nomination for president of the United States. I even asked her BlogHer Contributing Editor Shannon's question on equal pay for women.
Interestingly, when the camera went off, what struck me most about Valerie Jarrett was her interest in BlogHer, in particular what women want to hear from the campaign and what issues her candidate could speak on in order to secure votes by women.
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Comments
The unaswered question
I'm glad Obama is "committed" to equal pay, etc., but she dodged the question about HOW he is going to make that happen. It's nice that he was raised by a strong woman and married a strong woman, but what legislation will he specifically support and promote to make that happen??? Will he promise to make the Lily Ledbetter Act law?
Details. I want details. Because without them, these are always the issues that get pushed aside when a president takes office for more "important" economic and national security issues and women are told to wait, yet again.
I'm tired of waiting. If Obama will atually promise to advocate for laws on equal pay, equity in the workplace, decent day care, then I'll breathe easier.
PunditMom, Politics & News Contributing Editor
Great interview! I
Great interview! I especially like how she pointed out his ability to bring all people together - that's what I sense from him. He's had such a varied background that I think that is his greatest strength - to be able to see multiple points of view and to bring people together.
my last post:
2 Reasons Why Women Should Vote for Obama
Valerie Jarrett
Nice work Erin! What an interesting woman. I was very moved by her story about her own parents. I agree with them - I never thought I'd see it in MY lifetime and I'm nowhere near 80. It's a real landmark and all the kids young now will never know a time where it WASN'T possible for an African American man, or a woman, to run for president.
Cynthia Samuels, Partner
Cobblestone Associates, LLP
Blog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television Don’t
Gel Too Soon
I don't care about the HOW...
If you asked me right now how I was going to pay the electric bill, the water bill or the mortagge I couldn't tell you. I just know that it will get DONE. It will get done with a lot of creativity, guts and SPIT!
Gov't is like that. Sometimes it is enough of a commitment to hear that it is a priority to be on a short list of shit to do! By her presence and her ability to craft policy, She is ensuring that this is on the short list.
Great interview! Women have to learn to keep their eyes on the prize and not be vagina specific! HC is OUT. Obama is IN. Now we have to put our TITS in his face to move our agenda(s)
Women need to remember that we KNOW how to be inclusive. WE KNOW HOW TO MAKE IT WORK OUT! SHIT, equal PAY in the workplace is our PRIZE and then we move onto the next thing on the list for women's equality!
Love,
Babz
The Women Around Obama
I always come away so impressed by the women surrounding Barack Obama, whether they are his family or advisors to his campaign. So far, to a woman, they are intelligent, wise, generous of spirit, classy, curious about the world, and committed to social change.
Valerie Jarrett is no exception.
I have to marvel at the woman who was Obama's mother. As I think about raising my own son and the kinds of things I feel he needs to know about women and about the world, I recognize how hard it is to raise a good, feminist man. I really do believe Obama's mother would be so proud of all he's achieved and has yet to achieve.
Cynematic