Welcome to the Woman's National Democratic Club

We kicked off the campaign season on January 3 with an event to watch the Iowa Caucus returns. Over people attended, including Ian Fried, a pollster with Blue Catapault who explained the caucus process to us.

On January 16 we hosted our Democratic Presidential Forum and all of the candidates were represented. Approximately 125 members and guests attended this informative and thoughtful discussion and had a chance to get their questions answered. Participants included: Leecia Eve, a senior Policy Advisor to the Hillary Clinton for President Campaign and former candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York, former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, former NARAL President Kate Michelman who represented the John Edwards Campaign and Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who spoke on behalf of the Barack Obama Campaign.

Before the Question and Answer period, each candidate had ten minutes to answer the following question, "What are the three most critical challenges facing the U.S. today and what will you do to remedy them?"

Senator Clinton's top three priorities are: 1) restoring America's horrible standing in the world and ending the war in Iraq 2) jumpstarting the American economy and help the struggling American middle class and 3) rebuilding our society to support the American family (unversal healthcare, childcare and affordable college costs).

Senator Gravel declared that the American people are locked into American imperialism; our arrogance and triumphalism want to conquer everyone else. Accordingly, the overarching problem our country faces is the military industrial complex. As long as it prevails and commands our checkbook, nothing will get accomplished. He added that the U.S. is spending more money on defense than the rest of the world combined.

Senator Kucinich wants to take the U.S. in a different direction. He discussed his legislation for universal healthcare and his vote against the war in Iraq. He recalled FDR's New Deal and said he would institute similar programs today. For example, he will create a modern WPA so that jobs are available for everyone and we can rebuild America's infrastructure.

The Edwards Campaign believes that women have been marginalized because of poverty and lackof childcare. Kate Michelman identified the following priorities: poverty, a troubled economy, the environment and the war in Iraq.

Finally, the Obama Campaigne cited the need for fundamental change in government. In order to get anything done, Rep. Schakowsy said, we must mobilize people to work together. She added, " the word 'we' is the operative word."

It was an informative discussion and we can be proud of all of the Democratic candidates.

Mark your calendars for February 5 - Tsunami Tuesday. Bring your friends and join us and watch the Super Tuesday Primary results. See you there.