Does Obama fully support women's rights?

[pathansen]

I have been somewhat unclear about this issue.

There are 3 things that have bothered me:
1. I understand that he chose not to vote on several women’s rights bills. Instead he voted “present” which is neutral.
2. I understand that on various occasions, he has talked like he is somewhat sympathetic to the Religious Right point of view.
3. I understand that his father was a Muslim. Is this true? I understand Muslims do not believe in women’s rights, certainly not pro choice.

Does anyone have any further information on this?

[ccpup]

1. it depends

Which way is the wind blowing?

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

[Renew Deal]

21. You couldn't resist being wrong?

It's a habit of yours.

[Mass]

2. Anything else? I love the comment about Muslims, because, as we know, Christians do support

women's right. Just ask the fundies. :sarcasm:

[H2O Man]

7. Clearly we have

to examine the beliefs of his ancestors, going back 2000 generations, just so we can be sure. Many people are "concerned" about this. And their concerns are very important.

[Skidmore]

3. Do you think Michelle Obama would tolerate a man who didn't?

You clearly like to paint with a broad brush. I suggest you educate yourself a bit.

[NoodleBoy]

5. +1

you nailed it.

[H2O Man]

9. Yes, but

what about his great-great-great-great-great grandfather? Did he? Aren't you concerned?

[Skidmore]

10. No, and I'm kind of surprised that this question comes from you.

It is not so long since women here were given the right to vote and rights to education and employment were given to us. People and societies change. It takes a man with a belief that women are equals to be married to a woman like Michelle. I am not concerned that he does not hold all women in similar esteem.

[TheWraith]

14. I think H2O Man was taking a sarcastic swipe at the "concern" trolls that are running rampant. NT

[Skidmore]

20. I stand corrected.

Sorry, just a little edgy this morning. Too much coffee maybe.

[H2O Man]

26. No problem.

I think that on post #7 -- where I suggested we closely examine the past 2000 generations of Barack Obama's family -- I perhaps sounded too close to many of the very concerned folks. But, you know, maybe they are right. What if there was a scandal in 2089 bc? The republicans must be licking their chops, just waiting to trap the democrats on that.

[chascarrillo]

4. Shame

[sniffa]

And his middle name is Hussein

[cali]

15. don't forget he went to a madrassa. n/t

[SoxFan]

6. Go away

[madeline_con]

8. "Muslims do not believe in women’s rights at all"

This is untrue. And an unfair generalization. Like any religion, it's certain interpretations of sacred texts that screw things up.

If Islam was against women's rights, no Muslim women would work outside the home or attend college and become professionals, which many do.

[TheWraith]

11. On the assumption that you actually want answers, and that this isn't just a subtle attack...

1. "Present" was the vote that was requested on those abortion bills by Illinois Planned Parenthood.

2. Being religious, and trying to find common ground with evangelicals, isn't a disqualifying quality for public office. See Jimmy Carter.

3. Yes, his father was raised a Muslim. I can't see what relevance this has since not only is it untrue that all Muslims don't believe in equal rights, but Obama's father by all accounts wasn't a very religious person, and he returned home to Kenya when Barack was two.

[cali]

19. subtle? this was as transparent and passive agressive as

could possibly be.

[TheWraith]

25. Well, more subtle than the rest of the "concern" trolls running around. NT

[DURHAM D]

12. I think he supports women's rights. Unless -

they are lesbians or/and over 55.

[alcibiades_mystery]

17. How so?

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. Be specific on #1 and #2

How can you expect to have anyone answer your objections when they are so vague?

As for point #3, that's just absurd and ridiculous. It helps if you don't behave like a bigot.

[thesubstanceofdreams]

16. Look at his legislative ratings

91% from the National Organization for Women (2005-2006)
100% from Planned Parenthood (2006)

[Sparkly]

18. I don't think he's made it a focus, but I think I'd trust him or any Democrat on this.

I'd like to see some really specific proposals on key issues of importance to women, though.

[Renew Deal]

22. His "Interest Group Ratings" are almost perfect (for a Democrat)

Abortion Issues
(Back to top)


2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2006.

2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent in 2006.

2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2005-2006 Senator Obama supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 0 percent in 2005-2006.

2005 Senator Obama supported the interests of the NARAL Pro-Choice America 100 percent in 2005.

2003 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 2003.

2002 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life 50 percent in 2002.

2001 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 2001.

1997-2000 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Federation for Right to Life 0 percent in 1997-2000.

1997-1998 Senator Obama supported the interests of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council 100 percent in 1997-1998.

http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=9490&type=category&category=2&go.x=9&go.y=4

[cali]

23. shove your ignorant bigotry

somewhere where we don't have to see it. There are millions of Muslims who believe in women's rights. On the other hand, all bigots suck.

[Azathoth]

24. NARAL certainly seems to think he fully supports women's rights n/t

[DrFunkenstein]

27. 100% Rating From Planned Parenthood Council

During his eight years in the legislature, Obama cast a number of votes on abortion and received a 100 percent rating from the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council for his support of abortion rights, family planning services and health insurance coverage for female contraceptives. He voted against requiring medical care for aborted fetuses who survive, a vote that especially riled abortion opponents.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

28. While i am unsure just how serious you are, here goes

1:
According to Long Island Newsday, present votes also are common among Illinois state senators to demonstrate their willingness to compromise on specific legislation (Thrush, Long Island Newsday, 12/4). The president of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council supported Obama's votes, the Observer reports (Charlotte Observer, 12/4). Pam Sutherland, president and CEO of IPPC, said legislators were encouraged to vote present on the bills to encourage moderate Republicans and Democrats to do the same, thereby defeating the measures. "The poor guy is getting all this heat for a strategy we, the pro-choice community, did."

http://www.nationalpartnership.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr012=1vxtm5o0x2.app6b&abbr=daily2_&page=NewsArticle&id=8601&security=1201&news_iv_ctrl=-1

2:
This one is i can't link to but what i think a number see as him being sympathetic is that he is able to speak their 'language' of sorts, to those not really looking into what he says that would make them think he agrees with them. However if you listen to exactly what he says he tends to speak about progressive ideas using words they find acceptable so to me its a great strength.
The same goes for a number of other groups as well, rather then using progressive/liberal words he explains things in a way they can understand and agree with even if they have been against it in the past(mainly due to right wing fear mongering and liberals/progressives beating them over the head using their 'language')

Sidenote: did the above make sense or were i just rambling?

3: This one i will simply ignore as i see nothing relevant to Obamas religious or political views in the question(also i don't know any details of his fathers life so would be wrong to even start guessing)

Also look at post 11