Barack Obama Chooses VAWA Champion as Running Mate; Hillary Clinton to be Nominated at Convention

Senator Hillary Clinton was our first choice, and that of 18 million primary voters, but presumptive Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama’s pick, Joe Biden, is a friend of women and a strong selection for Vice President. Biden authored and championed the landmark 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), winning bipartisan support and unprecedented funding for prevention, shelter and safety. VAWA has twice been reauthorized, each time with increased protections for survivors of violence.

NOW welcomes this important opportunity for one of our champions to participate in a national dialogue around issues that are facing our country and our world. We know that Sen. Biden will bring the crucial issue of violence prevention to the forefront as he travels the country discussing issues of concern to voters, especially women voters.

We will be at the Democratic Convention and look forward to Hillary Clinton’s name being placed in nomination — the first woman to compete in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories — and to a roll call where her extraordinary accomplishments and deep support will be recognized by the delegates.

At the convention we will also celebrate the life of our sister and friend, Hon. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, at an event honoring Women’s Equality Day, the 88th anniversary of U.S. women winning the right to vote.

We know that Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is a longstanding opponent of women’s rights, and NOW PAC will actively work to prevent him from succeeding George W. Bush in the White House. At the same time, we will mobilize to support and elect women’s rights supporters at every level of government in November.

###

Contact: Caitlin Gullickson, media[at]now.org, 202-628-8669 ext 123