Election 2014 Update: Women's Midterm Election Vote 'Crucial' For Equal Opportunities, Rights, Says Hillary Clinton
Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made another public appearance and urged women to be engaged in the political process in order to advance women's rights.
Speaking at the Democratic National Committee's Women's Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., the former Secretary of State said a movement has been "stirring" in the U.S. The movement Clinton refers to is about women's rights, including affordable childcare, equal pay, minimum wage and paid sick leave.
"Just as the Affordable Care Act was going to effect, the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision pulled the rug out from beneath America's women. It's a slippery slope when we start turning over a woman's right to make her own health care decisions to her employer," Clinton said.
"When we can turn an issue into a political movement that demands people be responsive during the election season, it carries over," Clinton said. "So, these issues have to be in the lifeblood of this election or any election."
Clinton said the midterm elections are important for the Democratic Party as they are chasing the same issues relating to women despite resistance from Republicans.
"I know that they might not be as glamorous as presidential elections, but these upcoming midterm elections are crucial," Clinton said.
"Voters have a choice this November. A choice between those who blocked paycheck fairness, who applauded Hobby Lobby, who tried to stop the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act, or leaders who will fight for women and girls to have the same opportunities and rights that they deserve."
The former first lady acknowledged the more than 100 women representing the Democratic Party who are running for seats in the House of Representatives. She encouraged the attendees to vote for "every last one of our women" on Election Day in order for Congress to "start working for American families again."
"When women participate in politics, the effects ripple out far and wide," said Clinton, who named several female politicians running for election.
Clinton co-founded the DNC's Women's Leadership Forum in 1993. The DNC's Women's Leadership Forum event also featured top Democratic figures including President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Clinton's speech comes after her return to Iowa, a caucus state she placed third during the 2008 Democratic presidential race. A poll by Suffolk University and USA Today about potential 2016 presidential candidates saw Clinton as the only Democratic figure with double digits. With 66.69 percent, Clinton was the preferred Democratic presidential candidate ahead of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Vice President Biden, who received single-digit figures. Iowa is the first state scheduled to host a 2016 presidential primary election.
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