Obama-Biden -- Strong Allies in Fight Against Domestic Violence - McCain/Palin, not as clear...

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of participating in a national conference call with Senator Joe Biden along with hundreds of other fellow advocates and activists (men and women) on the front lines in the fight against Domestic Violence.

Senator Biden speaking from a cell phone in his campaign bus gave us the straight talk for over 30 minutes about how we are doing "God's work." He pledged that in an Obama-Biden Administration that they would create a full-time White House staff advisory position with the responsibility to report on violence against women and coordinate a focused Domestic Violence effort to fight the "abuse of power and our society's ugliest, dirtiest little secret!"

It just so happened that Tuesday also coincided with the 2 millionth call to the federally funded National Domestic Violence Hotline since its humble beginning in 1994 from people (averaging 650 calls per day) seeking help and relief from Domestic Violence.

To be honest, more than anyone else, Senator Biden is due our gratitude and credit for that milestone as part of the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 1994 -- which he happened to point out that Senator McCain originally voted against, arguing that it was "ineffective and ill conceived."

Additionally, Senator Biden declared that "Barack and I promise you will have the strongest allies you will ever have in the fight against Domestic Violence" and then urged all of us to watch and share a video of a young mother in Texas and her personal story about Domestic Violence which can be viewed here.

On Tuesday, I read Senator Obama's statement he issued regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month where he reiterated his strong support and continued commitment for this often silent epidemic.

Preaching to the choir and music to my ears this led me to fire up my Internets and use the Google to seek out the position papers from both the Obama and McCain campaigns.

Here is what I found:

On www.BarackObama.com there is a very clear and concise position and Domestic Violence fact sheet titled "BARACK OBAMA: ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN"

On www.JohmMcCain.com I did not find anything relating to nor making mention of Domestic Violence, just a general "Crime-Fighting Strategy."

I recognize that most people are not single issue voters. However, one thing is pretty clear to me - with domestic violence directly impacting one in three women in their lifetime, the Obama-Biden campaign gets "it" - Freedom from Domestic Violence is not a responsibility, it is our right and I commend them for having the sense and compassion to address it.

With 10 days to go before the election, another thing is pretty clear, with regard to Domestic Violence, the McCain-Palin campaign apparently does not get "it" and prefers attempting to replace this serious issue with awkward jokes: "(Chuckling) And I stopped beating my wife just a couple of weeks ago...." - which may just not cut it with voters who care strongly about this issue.

Becky Lee
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Comments

[showmestategal]

In Alaska palin even wanted victims of Rape to pay for the Rape Kit needed to be Taken for trials!

[aleksandres]

wow, what amazing things to say... but may i point out that all of the politicians say the same things but the real question can they do it, or swear they'll do it... the campaigners sure are telling us so much but aren't they being hypocritical i mean what about the us soldiers that they send to go out in war dont they hurt people. is our reasoning out to the public because we have know choice in order to protect this land we must kill. so we're gonna do something bad because your hire... its like saying your the reason why i have a sin... or maybe what about the gov't stripping people of their lands and claiming it is their property but have you ever questioned who really shld be owning that piece of land... i mean does it belong to the gov't or the PEOPLE?... i know that what i just said is far from the topic but to sum up my generalization of this idea would be that they shld look at their own actions and see for themselves... i mean when a new comer shows up we're all in a hurray mood but when the candidate wins, some end up being disappointed... im not implying on voting for any side but when you think about it sometimes we give up comments but we're not thinking that its like were implying that we could do a better job... just a piece of advice vote wisely

[donklinestiver]

As a country doctor this issue is important to me. I have lost 3 patients to domestic violence in 7 months time. The violent murderers know they will only spend a year in jail if convicted. I would love to see volunteer activist lawyers take these cases but understand the difficulty of that. We have to keep our prisons filled with people who were attacting their selves we dont have room for those who attack innocents.

[Shrinath]

What is extremely evident in the Obama-Biden campaign is that they are aware of the issues facing us in our lives. Their family and their background's attest to that fact. The Obama's and Biden's do not come from a wealthy surroundings and were not privileged. Perhaps that is one the factor's, for them to connect with the populace. Any person who uses violence as a resort needs a lot of help. What is even more pleasing is that, Joe Biden would be actively involved in policy matters. This is a real team work and has been demonstrated by the Obama campaign. We also should address the issues that lead to domestic violence against women and the children.

[Citizens]

I look forward to the Obama-Biden Administration making good on these promises to help victims, but just as importantly, addressing domestic violence education and prevention among the 16-24 year old age groups most at risk.

[PatrickforO]

Not only are Obama and Biden strong supporters of strengthening domestic violence laws, including extending job protections to women who are victims, but they support equal pay for equal work, privacy in family planning, early childhood eduction, more money for child care (a central issue for working women), college affordability and beefed up research for ovarian and breast cancer research. In addition, their energy independence plan and tax policies will strengthen the economy by adding many new jobs, and help this entire nation. I'm also surprised when veterans tell me McCain is their man. No he's not! Obama and Biden have a much better record on veteran's issues. Remember it was McCain, not Obama, who voted against a new GI Bill for vets returning from the Mid-East. If you haven't already voted early, do so. If you can't, go to the polls on election day. If you can't get a ride, call a local Obama office. They will see you get there. But vote! Vote Obama/Biden, and a straight Dem ticket.

[Becky Lee - Huffpost Blogger]

Oops, I am all thumbs and accidentally lost the following comment from - access2narnia

"Unfortunately, domestic violence is one of many serious issues being swept under the rug by McCain-Palin ----how hard would it be even just to respond to the PRO-ACTIVE positions of Obama-Biden?

Or answer questions from Domestic Violence Advocates at a policy forum?

Apparently McCain and Palin live in some alternative universe where EVERYONE makes more than $250,000/year and goes on $150,000 shopping sprees (on other people tabs and without tax consequences) and never have to choose between their own lives or their childrens, homelessness or brutal beatings, emergency shelters or marital rape, medications covered by a spouses medical insurance or being turned away from urgently needed treatment if they leave.

While back in the real world, Sen. Obama champions domesic abuse victims and Joe Biden quietly introduces his much-needed Crime Victims with Disabilities Act, hoping for action at a November Congressional session after the election."

[NYCSocialWork]

THANK YOU!!!

Asa DV counselor, I have been telling EVERYONE that more needs to get out about this!

[Yankeegirl1958]

Thank you for writing this article. This issue is important to me. It is good to know that Obama/Biden care about the victims of domestic violence.

[myersbug]

I am so proud of Obama's character. Joe knew what he was saying that something will happen. It is realistic but not just for Obama for McCain. I feel Obama is going in already thinking about how he would handle something. McCain will wait for something to happen and then think about it. Maybe not, he is probably kidding himself thinking they won't do anything if I'm Pres. It's so sad to see how this man has changed. Yet it isn't the kind of change we need he has changed in a backwards way. Going back to Bush instead of being the man he was. But then noone wanted to back him then. That right there should tell us something. Obama/Biden have brought people together, all people. It makes me proud as an American to see that people are finally getting it. God doesn't want us to fight he wants us to find Peace and except one another for what they are. Only then can we overcome hypocrisies. McCain is only trying to seperate us and cause fear. I'm tired of fear, I want to move on and find hope and Peace. We will stand as one and bring us all together. We are all God's children, that is what he wants. Not war and hate. But unconditional love, strength, hope and honor. Obama had me from Hello, you can see a quality in his eyes that you don't see often. God speed Barack, our prayers are with you.

[EricWI]

Domestic violence is an important issue. Senator Biden has been an important leader in addressing domestic violence for years. The Obama platform statement is an important confirmation that this work will continue.

The Violence Against Women Act needs some major revisions. It should be renamed and redirected to the broader goal of addressing all domestic violence so that it is inclusive of all child and male victims. Current law and services tend to ignore women as perpetrators of domestic violence. A significant majority of perpetrators of child abuse are women. A significant percentage of the adult victims of domestic violence are men (studies vary from 5% to 50% depending on survey methodology and interpretation with roughly 1/3 of the adult victims suffering injuries being male).

I support Barack Obama's Plan to Support Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as far as it goes. I would be far more comfortable with the language in the plank if it was inclusive of child abuse victims with women perpetrators and adult male victims.