By Clifford L. Williams

Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama seems to have it all — good looks, charm, intelligence and the ability to woo hundreds of women with his message, which he did masterfully last week in San Francisco.

   Obama addressed nearly 1,500 supporters, 75 percent of whom were women, at the Bill Graham Auditorium on Friday during a three-day visit to California. The fundraiser, called California Women for Obama, brought out key women backers who helped raise nearly $750,000 for his campaign.
    In addition to supporters who paid upwards of $2,300 to attend an exclusive reception, hundreds of others paid $250 each for a box lunch and frontrow seat to hear Obama’s message. Many other volunteers and campaign workers sat in the balcony in $25 seats.
    Obama touted his message to the female-dominated audience, noting that women voters will be key to deciding who wins the presidential primary in February.
    “Women have always made the difference in every election,” said Obama. “This year, your voice, your hope will be the deciding factors in forging a new future for America.”
    Democratic front-runner New York Senator Hillary Clinton is also aggressively courting female voters and is currently leading Obama in state polls by 30 points.
    Obama’s state co-chairs, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Controller Laura Chick, encouraged audience members to back Obama and join his movement.
   “We have got in Barack Obama someone who thinks every day as he looks at his daughters and as he looks at his wife … an individual who will dedicate himself every day to the issues that impact women,” said Harris.
    Referencing the current administration, the 46-year-old first-term senator said, “George W. has been a great advertisement for the Democratic party. But it is going to take more than a change of parties to turn this country around.
    “George Bush and Dick Cheney may have perfected divisive special interest politics; they may have turned it into an art form. But they didn’t invent it. It was there before they got to Washington, and if you and I don’t stand up and challenge it in this election, it will be there long after they leave.
   “We need something different, we need a new attitude. The times are too serious, the stakes are too high. I believe the American people want to be asked once again to think in terms of not just themselves but also for the needs of the country. They’re ready for sacrifice, responsibility, truth, honesty and integrity. That’s what the American people are looking for, and I’m looking for more of the same.”
    Obama concluded his remarks by noting that many of the presidential hopefuls have extensive experience in Washington. “They go to the right dinner parties and they know how to walk and talk the Washington talk,” Obama said. “I might not have the Washington experience that some people would like, but I believe I have the experience America needs right here and right now to lead the country.
    “I’m reminded every single day that I am not a perfect man, and I will not be a perfect president, but I can promise you this, that I will always tell you what I think. I will let you know where I stand, and I will always be honest with you about the challenges that we face. I will listen to you even when we disagree. And most importantly, I will open the doors of government and ask you to be involved in your country’s future.”

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