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Facing Palin, 6 Women's Groups Endorse Obama

NOW gives Dem its first nod since Ferraro

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 17, 2008 7:49 AM CDT

(AP) – Six women's rights groups endorsed Barack Obama for president yesterday, asserting the historic selection of Sarah Palin does not make up for John McCain's lack of support on issues important to women. One of those groups was the National Organization for Women, which has not endorsed a presidential candidate since Walter Mondale ran with Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.

"We don't think it's much to break a glass ceiling for one woman and leave millions of women behind," said the chair of the Feminist Majority, one of the groups that is supporting Obama. A recent poll showed that the Illinois senator holds a 5-point lead over McCain among women—although he has fallen 13 points behind among white women. But feminists predicted women would rally to Obama once they know where Palin stands on the issues: "The die is not cast yet," said one.

[Images (5)]

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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks to supporters at a rally in Golden, Colo., Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin grrets supporters after a rally with running mate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in Vienna, Ohio, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens during a round table discussion with working women focusing on the economy, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, in Fishers,... (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy, left, joins protesters outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, April 18, 2007, the Court's decision on partial birth abortion. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. speaks during a campaign event at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo., Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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It's extremely disappointing that an organization that purports to be an advocate for all women not only opposes, but feels compelled to criticize the only ticket in the presidential race with a woman on the ticket. - Spokeswoman for Sarah Palin

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Facing Palin, 6 Women's Groups Endorse Obama