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While his immediate audience was the 600-member Barnard College class of 2012, the commencement speech President Obama delivered on Monday was clearly aimed at an even bigger group –- all women voters, an essential voting bloc for his re-election bid.
The president empathized with the all-women class over their professional and personal challenges, including issues like fair pay and access to contraception. He also criticized Congress, spotlighting the ever-popular women in his life and sharing his own personal story.
“As young women, you're also going to grapple with some unique challenges like whether you’ll be able to earn equal pay for equal work. Whether you’ll be able to balance the demands of your job with your family. Whether you’ll be able to fully control decisions about your own health,” the president said.
He suggested that the lives of all Americans are improved when women are afforded those abilities.
“Indeed, we know we are better off when women are treated fairly and equally in every aspect of American life, whether it's the salary you earn or the health decisions you make.”
Obama said he had confidence in the graduates because, in a statement that seemed geared more towards his 2008 supporters, he’s seen them “engage and turn out in record numbers.”
“As tough as things have been, I am convinced that you are tougher,” he continued. “I've seen your passion and your service.”
Obama’s re-election chances could very well hinge on whether women turn out and vote for him in November. In 2008, according to the exit polls, the president beat John McCain by seven percentage points among all women. A recent NBC/WSJ poll showed Obama leading presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney among female voters by 12 points.
Obama’s three-pronged advice for the graduating women began with the entreaty to not just get involved but “fight for your seat at the table.”
Alluding to the recent congressional spats over women’s access to contraceptive care, the president suggested that the issue may have been nipped in the bud were more women seated in Capitol Hill offices.
“One reason we're actually re-fighting long-settled battles over women's rights is because women occupy fewer than one in five seats in Congress,” he said. “I'm not saying that the only way to achieve success is by climbing to the top of the corporate ladder or running for office, although -- let's face it -- Congress would get a lot more done if you did,” he continued, as the graduates chuckled.
In urging the graduates to lead by example – his second piece of advice – the president highlighted the women in his life, especially his wife Michelle.
He praised her ability to keep up a career and family, as well as the ability to balance the latter with a political persona.
“The reason Michelle had the strength to juggle everything and put up with me and eventually the public spotlight was because she, too, came from a family of folks who didn't quit,” he said.
And the third bullet point of his advice – perseverance – gave the president an opportunity to relay his own personal story, to which so many voters were drawn during his last campaign.
He shared how his first meeting as a community organizer ended up with no attendees besides a few elderly women looking for the bingo game, and how his band of volunteers may have quit if it hadn’t been for his admonition to forge ahead.
“I said to the volunteers: Before you quit, answer one question. What will happen to those boys if you quit?” he asked, gesturing to some boys aimlessly throwing rocks outside. “Who will fight for them if we don't? Who will give them a fair shot if we leave?”
He added that it was those “small victories” that continued to push him into the “bigger victories of my last three and a half years as president.”
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" Access to contraception"?
Are you serious? College grads have no access to $9 a month birth control pills ?
What a phony issue, but of course MSNBC plays along.
"Obama’s re-election chances could very well hinge on whether women turn out and vote for him in November"
The endless cry of the MSNBC moonbat: "Women! Latinos!" "Women! Latinos!" Oops, the article forgot to mention Latinos! Axelrod wont like that !
So what exactly are you trying to say, Bob? That women and Latinos are NOT going to be important in this election?
I realize that you're the King Of Wishfulthinkinglandia, but isn't that a bit of a stretch even for you?
What I am saying is the endless pandering to groups must stop.
Also, the spin is always about the GOP weaknesses, never about the problems of the liberals and Obama. For example , with white males, Obama trails Romney by 26 points, 60 to 34 percent, in a recent Pew survey.
Is that a problem, or not? Did Obama give up on white males? Are all the white guys racists? You will hear very little of this side of the issue on MSNBC.
My Republican co-worker goes to Planned Parenthood to get her contraceptive pills becuase they are cheaper than what she pays through our health insurance at work. I haven't ask her how much her birth control pills cost, but I don't think she would go through Planned Parenthood, if it was only $9.00.
In addition to birth control pills, she gets mammograms and PAP smears there. These services are life saving for low income women who do not have health insurance.
Unfortunately, Republicans, who are already fighting Obamacare, are trying to put Planned Parenthood out of business because it also provides safe abortions (but not using taxpayer funds to do so.) So much for Republicans believing in keeping government out of our lives. When it comes to women, rightwingers are trying to make "moral" decisions for women.
I think old Bob for VP McDonnell is jealous; he's singled out the two groups Romney and the GOP have lost because of the GOP's bad attitudes, rhetoric and stinky policies and is throwing a hissy fit. Hey, Bob, your Governor vaginal probe did a whole lot for women, right? Women have long memories and we will not forgot the GOP policies and legislation passed by republicans nationwide.
Bob -
For your sake, I'm very sorry that old white males no longer control elections in America.
But for America's sake, I couldn't be happier.
WOW... "...issues like fair pay and access to contraception"? Not spinning much?
Here's the President's comment in its ENTIRETY:
"Of course, as young women, you're also going to grapple with some unique challenges, like whether you'll be able to earn equal pay for equal work; whether you'll be able to balance the demands of your job and your family; whether you'll be able to fully control decisions about your own health."
My Republican co-worker goes to Planned Parenthood
Amy ,
why dont you name your fictitious co-worker "Julia", after the fictitious mooching woman the Obama campaign invented.
Is that what they teach you in progressive blog school, to make up real life 'anecdotes" ? No one is buying this, thanks anyway.
And here comes Amy, yet again, with another anecdote about someone she "knows" whose life fits perfectly with this story.
Come on Amy, tell the truth, have you been taking creative writing classes from Walker?
More burning coals and less made up "co-workers", Amy. That's the ticket.
Know what's funny? I remember when republicans were accused of using social issues as wedge issues, rather than addressing the real issues- economy, jobs, debt, wars.
What happened? Those turn out to be losers for Obama?
Alright VP Bob, settle down. Women just don't like your boy Willard.
There is a lot of fiction in her life, it seems.
Begins with dreams from Obama- wherein he leaves his wife, and runs off with the one woman who truly appreciates him.
Continues with imaginary friends in an imaginary bar.
Comes to its apex with imaginary co-workers, getting imaginary services, from an all too real agency
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/komen-speaks/2012/02/02/gIQArKI9kQ_blog.html
Never fear- sometime in the next couple of years, thanks to Komen funding, PP centers will, in fact, have the necessary equipment.
Not that is will faze Amy. Shell just adjust her delusions.
Wow. Pretty brave words from someone who is voting for a candidate that does not support equal rights for women or gays.
I would worry less about what Amy posts, no jo, and more about your own.
Remember, in YOUR world, anyone who does not vote correctly on LGBT issues is a bigot. You have lost the "right" to attack others.
Okay. Make sure the Republicans and Romney get the message.
Well then shoot then job1 - if women don't like Mitt, and Mitt is either up or tie depending on the particular poll, then who are all the groups not liking Obama?
And lay off poor Amy. She made so wicked bad choices, and now is nearly wholly dependent upon the government.
She is Julia, sans any ability to retire to that lovely community garden.
Poor Amy.
Say, can anyone tell me what the average student debt load is at Bernard College? But is north of $50k.
Ouch.
Not sure where you're going with this, but why are you surprised, Bob? Hasn't that pretty much been the case throughout our history when a person of color takes a position that has been held by white men for over 200 years? Things did not go well for one Jack Robinson if you recall. Dr. Martin Luther King didn't have a rosy path either. So why should the President push everyone else away just to convince white males to vote for him? Oh, that's right, anything to throw a wrench in the campaign. Forget it. Presidential candidates have always courted the groups that they know will support them. That's nothing new. But Barack Obama has at least one white male that will vote for him. ME!
Well Spanky why just pick on Amy, the median income in Texas, is $10.80 an hour that's $21,600 for 2000 thousand hours a year, which means they don't owe any federal taxes, so you are supporting half the people in Texas, don't you think they owe you a great big thank you. How do you like their choice of the right to work for less and less and less, yes everyone gets to make choices. I choose my union I make enough to support my family and pay taxes, don't get me wrong I don't make Spanky money, but I pay my fair share of taxes, and I won't depend on the government once I get to old to work. How is it that republicans all over the south in right to work for less and less and less states complain about federal taxes and spending but do not earn enough money to owe any federal taxes, why complain about something you don't pay, why do they complain how it is spent since they don't contribute, anything the federal government does for these people is strictly a matter of charity, or socialism if you prefer, now isn't it. They should complain about the fact that they don't make enough in wages to be able to contribute anything towards the costs of maintaining the strength and security of the nation they love so much.
Amy B. Portland, ME
It has been stated that Planned Parenthood does not offer mammograms. I can't find where Planned Parenthood says they do or that they do not. Looks a little fishy.
This entire Planned Parenthood situation looks strange. Why is Obama insistent that states use Planned Parenthood to the point where Obama will withhold funds from state health clinics that refuse to use planned parenthood.
There are quite a few of us that do not believe in abortion. While not trying to stop women from getting them, we don't intend to support abortion by providing funds to organizations that provide abortions, yet all of you liberals seem intent on forcing us to agree to providing free abortions through our taxes. Why?
Rick: Here is what partially what Planned Parenthood offers in one location in Sacramento. Note: Mamogram referrals....they help women get mamograms.
Note: The following info is specific to this Health Center.
Women's Health Care in Sacramento, CA
B Street Health Center offers the following women's health services:
Pregnancy testing and option counseling
STD testing and treatment
Birth control and emergency contraception
Dragon-1573721
Note: Mammogram referrals....they help women get mammograms.
That is a key point....they help. Why not cut out the middle man. Why did so many liberals stop donating to Susan G. Komen when Komen suspended funding to Planned Parenthood?
There are so many liberals that are suggesting that birth control including abortion be used to deal with the increasing welfare roles and therefore increasing costs. I'm stopping well short of calling liberals Nazis but I would also like to stop well short of using eugenics as a means of dealing with increasing populations.
You can go down to our state funded health clinic and get birth control. You can go down and get treatment and advice on dealing with stds. What you can't get is an abortion. Why are you and President Obama insisting that the states fund Planned Parenthood.
WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THAT?
Rick: You and several others questioned Amy's post about a women going to PP to get a mamogram...that is exactly what a women can do...to their and get a referral to a clinic or doctor who will give her a mamogram at some reduced costs....maybe free.
And note under the post of men's services....there is vasectomy offered...heaven forbid...birth control for men...why aren't the GOP and conservatives ranting about that....men getting vasectomy so they are run around having sex with multiple women and not worry about children...heaven! And how come these men can't pay for the vasectomy themselves? You mean my tax dollars are going for vasectomies for men so they can run around and have lots of sex????
I'm not complaining about what is being offered, I'm complaining about the government using my tax dollars to pay for certain services I don't agree with.
BTW, I would be ok with paying for vasectomies if there were also an equal number of tubal ligations performed.
Ricky Boy,
Planned Parenthood contracts with imaging centers to provide mammograms at a fixed cost. They can guarantee a lower cost because they contractually require their referrals to be charged according to their agreed-on price, not what the traffic will bear which is the common practice in health care providers. There is no "middle man" per se as PPH doesn't get paid a kickback. The 501(c)3 charter prevents PPH from making any profit on these services above operationg costs. They are audited so frequently by state and Federal regulators that you can be sure they are adhereing to this limitation. If you want to look up the numbers, just check in with the corporate office of PPH and they'll tell you where you can find the audit reports.
Since you're not a woman, you wouldn't know about these things. And since you don't work in health care, or understand anything about it, we'll just have to tolerate your willfull ignorance.
And do you like women? At all? Even to just look at? If you do, you won't really mind that a half a penny of your tax payment goes to help women stay healthy and safe. None of your half-cent goes to pay for abortions per federal law, so stop complaining about that.
Of course if you don't like women, then keep your half cent in your pocket. But the next time you want to get laid, try to explain to that woman why you won't pay a half-cent for her to see a doctor to keep the plumbing in good working order for you to enjoy.
Then duck. Fast. And forget about your big happy finish.
Rick,
Yours- "You can go down to our state funded health clinic and get birth control"
Do you live in Europe, then? There aren't any more state-funded clinics, not here in the Western US where I live. And there haven't been these last 10 years.
Why worry about equal pay when, thanks to Obama's policies, they can't even find a job in the first place?
Thanks to President Obama's policies, we are digging our way out of the giant hole dug thanks to the Bush and the GOP policies which caused the economy to totally collapse making it difficult for everyone to find jobs. The policies Romney would put in place are the same ones that collapsed the economy. President Obama has created 4.3 million jobs, it has also created the most manufacturing jobs created since the late 80's. The right can spin and whine all they want but facts are facts which is exactly why the right whines and spins so much.
Jody, you need to try to stay away from the MSDNC talking points.
As for the digging analogy, I wish Obama and the Dems would put down the shovel.
Or is the plan to dig all the way to China so we can just throw the money in the hole for them?
"Pitch" perfect it was! ;o)
Two words: GIRL POWER!
And you Goober, need to quit telling people what to do!
No one has died and left you in charge... that I know of!
Jody? Digging out, eh?
Can you cite to any objective evidence of improvement?
GDP? Real estate values? Debt/deficits? Shoot, can you even tell us if GM will ever pay back all that money Obama gave it?
And you Goober, need to quit telling people what to do!
The dim bulb said as she fthought she could tell me what to do. At least you admit she is simply spouting MSDNC Talking Points. HA
I told you to quit stalking me Feisty.
You just can't make this stuff up.
ody, Iowa
The economy was doing just fine until the democrats took over congress.
Rick,
Yours- "The economy was doing just fine until the democrats took over congress"
As I remember it, the real estate markets peaked in August 06 and then quickly fell apart. And the fall of Wall Street happened in 08 just before Obama was even sworn in. So stick that lie back up your nose where you found it, because that all happened thanks to Bush.
The fact is, credit default swaps were allowed to go forward thanks to the 20-year lobbying efforts of Big Banking and Wall Street. And we can thank Nixon, and Reagan, and both Bushes, and to a small extent Clinton, for capitulating to their interests.
And if you're going to start spewing about Barney Frank and Fannie/Freddie, you really are an idiot because Fannie/Freddie did not have the power to make private lenders abandon 100+ years of sound underwriting practices in order to make bad loans. Only fox News contributors believe that.
As a matter of fact, Countrywide jumped in head first the instant the market became deregulated. The biggest contributors to the crisis were mortgage lenders who broke the law right and left, making loans they knew were going to fail, and then Wall Street investment bankers who bought those loans and repackaged them into credit default swap-based derivatives that are still bringing down the world economy. And all that happened under Bush, and republicans are still resisting all attempts to fix it.
I heard much of President Obama's speech to Barnard graduates. It was a terrific speech and yes, it focused on women and the choices they have; it focused on women who worked hard and never gave up despite the odds but it also focused on parents and the influence on those women. Women are a key voting block. It just drives the right crazy that the GOP has managed to alienate women on a grand scale--this year, the right went whole hog at trying to undermine the achievements and advances for women made the past 40 years. If the GOP had their way, women would still be second class citizens.
Obama pandered to the elite rich snobs of Barnard, the prestigious NY University. Thankfully, most of the their rich Dads and Moms will get them a job after graduation.
Unlike the average college grad, half of whom have to go back home unemployed thanks to the failure that is Obama .
How sad, Jody, that in 2012 the President has to acknowledge that there is an earnings gap based on gender in our society and that one of the signature pieces of legislation of his administration is the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act---which doesn't guarantee that employers will do the right thing, but does make it easier to sue them when they don't. I hope those young women at Barnard took the President's wise advice to heart.
Bob -
So which is it? Obama's pandering to women and Latinos, or Obama's pandering to "elite rich snobs"?
Of course, when Mitt Romney spoke at Liberty University this weekend and spent almost his entire speech talking about religion without ever once mentioning the word "Mormon" - which they teach is a cult - he wasn't pandering to evangelical conservatives at all, was he?
Look, just be patient - I'm sure that sooner or later, somebody will give a speech that panders to white southern guys named Bob. Probably your governor, come to think of it.....
So Steeler - care to pontificate on just what percentage of the grads will even get a job?
I think people are getting tired of Obama trying to make everyone in society some sort of war "victim". This is America. These young women can do anything they want in life and they know it. The last thing they need to do is help him fight some imaginary "war" on women. We've got 2 daughters both running their own successful businesses raising small children. I'm glad they are able to do what ever they want. We simply have to encourage people to move forward in life not be a false victim to some imaginary "war" on women, puppies, gays, Hispanics, unions blah blah blah. I'm encouraged by the number of young people who are taking a far more educated approach to their vote in 2012. VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2012!
Simply amazing - yes folks, we now have a brand new class of victoms to worry about - well heeled young woman of privilege attending prestigious universities are now among those that are being victomised, somehow.
Well darn that republican war on women, anyway - how dare the republicans treat these young ladies so poorly. Next thing you know, they will be attacking womens health care, especially the health care of young women of privilege, because lord knows the republicans dont want any more rich people around!
But gosh darn it, we have to find a way to blame Bush. Ah yes, that was brought up by other posters - the economy is all his fault! Absolutely! Because the housing bubble was completely his fault, and so was the dot com implosion! So was the shift in manufacturing jobs towards automation spurred on by those evil republicans who wanted for their companies to do well! Yes! I swear it to be true, because nothing at all could possibly be Obamas fault, in any way - that would be simply inconceivable!
Oh wait....something doesnt sound right in that.....I wonder what it could be?
NTP, there is a HUGE difference between "blame" (as you put it) and "reciting history".
The blame game is for 5 year olds, understanding history in order to make wiser choices for the future is absolutely necessary for every administration.
"Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." - Edmund Burke
VermontGirl -
I could not agree more - there is indeed a huge difference between "blame" and "reciting history"
I also agree entirely that understanding history is essential for any administration in order to make choices that are both wiser and better than previous administrations.
And further, I agree with you again that the blame game is for 5 year olds.
So, having agreed on that much, can we then also agree that reflexively blaming Bush, and Bush ALONE, is basically the 5 year old blame game, as other posters have done? I am no Bush apologist, but it galls me to no end to see him and him alone consistently blamed for everything that is wrong, with no responsibility being assigned to anybody else, as a general truth.
If you wish to talk about understanding history, then the intellectually honest mind must allow that all recent presidents have made very bad decisions - not a single one is exempt. Assuming that we can agreee on that, then we must, in the historical context, allow that all of the bad decisions have tended to work together in order to create the situation that we have all endured for the last several years.
And that, in a nutshell, was my actual point
Hi Not,
Well, we can also blame Bush Sr. And Reagan, he started the biggest program of financial deregulation that led to the meltdown. But Nixon also welcomed bank lobbysists and laid the foundation of these troubles. And to a lesser extent, so did Bill Clinton.
How does that work for you?
I'm sure there was much more to the President's speech than the snippets reported here. I certainly hope so. What a depressing commencement address. I suspect the entire class was excited to have achieved what they did in college, and excited to have the President speak.
But then did he tell them they are inferior and will have to fight to become something equal and successful?That the world is against them - that they'll work harder, get paid less and have to struggle to balance all the things they want in life?
He could have told them the world is theirs for the taking - they can be whatever they want to be! He could have congratulated them on their accomplishments, told them they should be proud. He could have given them hope and a positive outlook.
I liked him better when he was hopeful and inspiring. Now he's just depressing. After that speech, those girls probably don't need free contraceptives - free Prozac would be a better idea.
Of course, Candice would know this, since she was not present.
Or is that just today's spin, Candice?
Hello, NewDay.
Was the speech more enlightening than reported here? Don't you think a more positive, empowering speech would have been more appropriate to these hopeful grads? Or if it was more positive than the article depicts, do you think the report could have indicated that? We certainly need more hope, happy inspiring words these days, I think. Otherwise, everything is just so negative.
hmmm looks like Dum Fux News service was late getting the new talking points out .
hmmm looks like Dum Fux News service was late getting the new talking points out .
Yes and heaven forbid any of the GOP faithful would have to think for themselves. All they want to do is be told by some moron on FOX what they should be thinking and then regurgitating those points. A sad lot to say the least.
nomoresameo and carpenter7
If you two are responding to Candice I wold like to point out that her information came from msnbc. I suspect that you two have never watch Fox News a single second in your life. Which would make you uninformed like you accuse those that watch Fox News. Talk ablout repeating talking points let me ask you this. Do you all get an actual transcript of Rachel Maddow's shows that you can study?
Latest poll from CBS/ NY Times of registered voters. 46-43 Romney.
MSNBC wont headline this poll , it doesnt "Lean Forward" enough....
Best part: Romney leads among women !!!
After all the made up "War on Women", imagine that.....sweet.
I hear worrying about social issues and ignoring the economy is working out great for CA.
Some services a Planned Parenthood clinic offers in Sacramento, CA;
General Health Care in Sacramento, CA
B Street Health Center offers the following general health care services:
Treatment of acute illness
Management of chronic diseases
Some men's services at Planned Parenthood at a clinic in Sacramento,CA;
Men's Health Care in Sacramento, CA
B Street Health Center offers the following men's health services:
Dragon-1573721
Do you have proof they provide all those services free of charge? All of those services are offered by many, many health care providers.
All services offered by Planned Parenthood are offered on an "Ability to Pay" basis. Some of their services are not free.......period.
And your point is, Rick?
You mean, you object that PPH runs their clinics like every other public health clinic in the country?
At a private clinic, ALL the services cost money. NONE are free. And they all cost much more than you'll pay at PPH. There are no discounts except possibly for cash, and then it's not much of a discount.
Actually, the PPH clinics I know will offer all their services for free if you really can't pay for anything. They have a means test, just like other public health clinics, and if you want the discount you have to be interviewed in order to see if you qualify.
and Rick...
Before you start spewing nonsense about public policy again (which you know nothing about), why don't you go visit any PPH clinic and just see how they are run? Better yet, volunteer and work at them for a few weeks just to check out how they do business? I've volunteered at a couple of them, and they are very strictly and legitimately run places. You, obviously, have never even seen their front door.
The republican shave embarrassed themselves so much that I'll be surprised if Mittens even gets out of the front gate with independents and undecideds.