Lawton and Moore bring women's issues to the table

By Megan Orear

As a prelude to Hillary Clinton's speech on the 88th anniversary of women's suffrage, Wisconsin's Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore shared their views on Clinton, Obama and the convention.

At this morning's breakfast for the Wisconsin delegation, Moore gave a humorous speech to rally the Wisconsin delegates.

Moore, a Clinton supporter, talked about her admiration of Clinton, but disagreement with a statement she has been making recently.

"There’s something she has said in the last couple of days that I totally disagree with. And that is that this is Barack Obama’s convention. This is not Barack Obama’s convention, this is >our convention, this is the people's convention," Moore said.

She if Obama loses this election, no one will suffer more than women. She said McCain has opposed bills supporting women's rights in relation to reproductive rights and equal pay.

After the breakfast, Lawton and Moore spoke to the press. They said Hillary Clinton supporters, like themselves, must unify for Barack Obama and realize that much is at stake in this year's election, especially for women.

Lawton said Obama respects women and their rights, and McCain doesn't.

Moore said that the press, which has been focusing on dissatisfied Clinton supporters, and Repulicans, which have been criticizing Obama for not choosing Clinton as a running mate, are raising frivolous issues. She said the McCain campaign is trying to influence voters by appealing to them on an emotional level.

Lawton said that female politicians like Moore and herself serve as a visible reminder to the women of Wisconsin that issues that effect their lives and their families are at stake.

Moore described herself as a "general," getting supporters involved and making sure people get out and vote.

Both women said they think the convention is a success so far.