Women in Athens County Survey question 1
Which presidential candidate, Barack Obama or John McCain, do you feel will be better for women in America?
October 13, 2008
“The presidential candidate who has the most experience, is trustworthy, has a record as a proven reformer, and is known for working across party loyalties to get things done, will be better for women and for all Americans; that candidate is John McCain.”
–Shawn Morris, 54, a retired registered nurse from Athens
“I feel that Barack Obama would be a better overall choice for women in America. McCain, as prestigious and politically lauded as he is, is quite out of touch with the world as it is today. I would feel about as equally OK with McCain handling women's issues as I would talking to my 94-year-old grandfather about feminine hygeine products. McCain supported a measure that makes it harder for women to fight pay-difference discrimination in the workplace. Obama worked to overturn that measure. McCain is a backer of a controversial bill to change what types of contraceptive measures are accessed by the general public. Obama is against this bill. The list of anti-woman legislation brought about or supported by McCain could go on for pages. And this isn't even commenting on the numerous comments which he purports to be funny, but in reality are sarcastic jabs at women regarding the issues of rape, domestic violence, self worth as it relates only to appearance, and the supposed ineptitude of women.”
–Caitlin Seida, 19, an artist from Nelsonville
“Obama, definitely. His voting record is consistently pro-choice. In addition he is an advocate of social programs that benefit women and has gone on record supporting increased access to higher education. All of these positions are better for women. McCain voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Enough said.”
–Niki Morris, 36, a non-profit program manager from Stewart
“Obama. He is going to close the gap so women earn the same hourly wage as men.”
–Molly Smith, 18, a freshman at OU, from Athens
“Right now there are soooo many more issues that need to be dealt with. So much needs just plain straightened out. If things could improve with health care, child care, social security, prices sky-rocketing for groceries, etc., security as a whole for everyone that has worked their butts off for it, then women in America may be able to breathe a little easier and have time and energy to work for everything else that is important to them. I do believe that McCain would be like voting for Bush AGAIN (Not I). Truly, our country cannot stand up to this for very much longer. We must vote for CHANGE!!”
–Barbara Six, 57, a business co-owner from Athens
“John McCain supports my conservative views as a woman. I support a strong military, and am thankful for the successes we have seen in preventing terrorist attacks on the U.S. I don't want a system of government that controls areas of our lives we should control ourselves. I am strongly pro-life, and hope to see Roe v Wade overturned in my lifetime.”
–Jody Stickel, 55, a retired teacher from Athens
“Sens. Obama and Biden are Washington insiders who have pretty much voted their party's line. McCain has a record of defying his party's leadership in pursuit of reform. Palin also is a proven reformer who has fought her party's leadership and won. The only "change" we'll get from President Obama and Vice President Biden is politics as usual — Democrat style. If McCain is serious about shaking up Washington; the McCain/Palin ticket is the better choice and our country's only real hope for significant reform.”
–Mary Della Harmison, 35, an administrative assistant for a financial and marketing director, from Athens
“Barack Obama. I was impressed when he said that he wanted his daughters to have the same opportunities as our sons. When I graduated from law school, only 25 percent of my classmates were women and even fewer ended up practicing law. Now over 50 percent are women, but the profession is still a male profession and female attorneys still struggle in ways their male counterparts do not.”
–Lisa Eliason, 54, attorney and chief Athens city prosecutor, from Athens
“I do not feel that McCain has addressed any worthwhile women's issues in his campaign, and I know that I am disgusted by Palin's double standard on abortion. Obama has a strong family, and a strong wife, and I think his life experience and his wife's strong personality will bode well for women in America. Also, Biden has spoken on issues of women's equality during the campaign. His ideas sound promising as well.”
–Tiffany Teofilo, 26, an OU PhD student and senior accountant from Athens
“Barack Obama is the best presidential candidate for women in America because he himself is a figure of diversity in our government, and he understands the need for equality in our country. McCain only chose Sarah Palin as his running mate because he wanted to get the vote of the women who were going to vote for Hillary Clinton.”
–Clare Conway, an OU sophomore from North Olmsted, Ohio
“Obama. Women need a president who will be a positive role model for our children in every area.”
–Ginger Gagne', 44, executive assistant for the president of an IT company, from Athens
“President Obama is the better candidate for women in America mainly because I completely disagree with McCain's selection of Gov. Palin. Although Palin is a woman, she still has some very oppressive beliefs. For instance, Palin is against abortion in all cases. The right to have the opportunity to make a personal decision about abortion is something that women's rights advocates have fought for in the past and continue to fight for today. I believe that if John McCain were really concerned about women, he would have known that it would not appease us for him to select a female VP just because she is a woman. With his selection of a female candidate who has fought against some of the basic rights that women seek, McCain proved that he is not fully concerned with women in America, only looking as if he is concerned.”
–Catia Carter, 25, an administrative assistant from Athens
“Hillary Clinton. But since she is no longer on the ballot, Obama. Why? He is not Republican.”
–Cynthia Holliday, an OU lecturer and administrator from Athens
“I think McCain is better equipped to lead the nation and thus help Americans. I don't look at things so much about helping women, rather helping America. There are many aspects about Obama that I like. Idealistically, I'd like to see the winner between Obama and McCain be president and the loser be vice president. I think that combination would be great for America, women and men alike.”
–Angela Anderson, 43, a professional fundraiser for education from Athens
“I think both candidates are very problematic. The way to help women and men is to adopt policies that make good economic sense, and it is unlikely that either candidate would do that as president. What we need is less government regulation of the economy (yes, really!), lower taxes, more free trade, no government subsidies to agriculture, the end of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (New Deal creations, for anyone who is listening), the repeal of the Community Development Act that played such a big role in getting us into this mess, and on and on. The candidates are pretty ignorant on economic issues, and it's hard to know which would be worse — not just for women (whatever that may mean), but for men, women and children.”
–Lisa Carson, 50, an editor from Athens
“Obama would support the progress woman have made in this country. No matter what, the race between Clinton and Obama was just that — two candidates who were debating the issues and each other. I feel that says a lot about Obama's character, especially when everyone else was making a big deal about it.”
–Laurie Gribble-McKnight, 36, a social worker from Athens
“I believe Obama will be more empathetic to women's needs than McCain. He has treated the women in his life more respectfully than McCain has.”
–Frances Gander, an acupuncturist and tai chi instructor from Athens
“Obama, since he is more concerned about the issues that are important to me and to most women I know, such as making it possible for our children to have a safer and more sustainable future. I have more hope that he will cut military spending and use the savings for the programs he has said that he supports, such as promoting solar and wind power, universal health care, and higher education.”
–Linda Hiller, 53, a house builder and rental manager from Athens
“I think women and men will benefit from both Obama's health-care and tax policy proposals.”
–Susan Mitchell, 47, a marketing consultant from Athens
“Most definitely Obama; his record shows support of women’s issues, education, and working together for peace — he’s an excellent negotiator. I'm not sure McCain knows what negotiation is.”
–Cheri Johnson, 56, a psychotherapist from Athens
“Obama. I am a true Hillary Clinton fan. And now she is throwing her support behind Obama. Of course I have been following his campaign as well, and I feel he is going to deliver a true change in the country. I feel that McCain is not up to standard in today’s day and age with some things, due to his age and outlooks. Obama, I am sure is used to dealing with prejudice due to his race, and he of all people would understand the wrath of prejudice against women. As a woman in law enforcement, there are times when people are prejudiced against me as a woman officer, and they feel that law enforcement is only a man's line of work. I disagree of course and work even harder, as I know Hillary and Obama both do in their field.”
–Sherrie Norman, 40, a deputy sheriff, mall manager and retail manager from Athens
“Obama because he seems to be more open-minded.”
–Laura Jordan, 52, a karaoke DJ from Albany
“Obama, no question about it. Through his work as a community organizer, he's demonstrated himself to be an advocate for the underrepresented and struggling in our society. His proposed economic, educational and health-care policies will benefit all Americans, but especially single mothers struggling to provide their children with the resources and opportunities to succeed.”
–Johanna Mateer, 26, an independent provider of home health care from Athens
“I believe that Obama is a better choice as a presidential candidate. He has had strong, independent women in his life, his grandmother, his mother and his wife. He has had the experience listening to the opinions of women and appears to respect these opinions.”
–Janice M. Wright, 54, a clinical supervisor from Athens
“I think Obama is good for both women, men and families. I want to vote for him because we've had eight years of failed policies under Bush. Our children will carry the burden of Bush's policies.”
–Suzanne Borchard, 56, a children's outreach coordinator from Athens
“I feel that Barack Obama is the better candidate for our present economy. While I do not agree with all of his views, the majority are in agreement with mine. I also feel that age plays an important role in life's decisions and John McCain is too old for the job.”
–Tabitha Bond, 38, a business owner from Coolville
“Obama. How can a man who has had that many wives and doesn't give women a right to make choices regarding their own bodies (McCain) be better for women?”
–Brandi Mullins, 34, an LPN from Athens
“Neither. I feel both of these men are sadly unsuited for the presidency and the real problems affecting women.”
–Sandy Griffin, 67, retired, from New Marshfield
“Obama. While in the Illinois State Senate, he passed several laws protecting victim's rights in cases of rape and sexual assault, Equal Pay laws to protect women from pay discrimination, and is pro-choice (which many women feel is vital for women's rights).”
–Diane Scharer, 36, a stay-at-home mom from Athens
“Is there another option?”
–Amanda Sharrai, 31, a program specialist for a non-profit from Athens
“Obama and his supporters are more grounded in everyday women's rights and issues; they are willing to discuss/actually work on resolving the many things behind hot-button issues like abortion and terrorism instead of just condemning these issues as immoral, blaming things on the ‘other’.”
–Becca J.R. Lachman, 28, interim assistant director at OU, freelance writer and composer from Athens
“I don't separate which candidate is better for women from which candidate is better for people in America. How is a candidate supposed to be better for women and not better for people as a whole? Speaking as an independent, the country needs Barack Obama, rather than another yes-man for the Republican party, which is how ‘maverick’ McCain is turning out.”
–Suzanne Fisher, 35, a recent ecotourism graduate of Hocking College, from Nelsonville
“I’m not really sure but I’m leaning toward Obama, because we need the party change I really believe. I think Obama will do just fine.”
–Billie Byers, 49, former junk separator, cashier, home health aide, wife, mother and homemaker from New Marshfield
“I believe that Obama will be a better presidential candidate for the women of America. Obama seems to believe in change, and that is what women need. Women need more opportunities to become involved in higher business positions and other positions of authority. Obama provides an excellent opportunity for women to have more jobs and also states that women and men will be in the same hourly wage gap.”
–Stefanie Dimofski, 18, an OU freshman from Gahanna, Ohio
“Neither, but then again I don't like either of them.”
–Betsy Gosnell, 42, in professional development, from Amesville
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