Helping girls is 'an American idea,' says Obama
BY ROBYNN TYSVER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
A proposed boycott of American Girl dolls over its support for Girls Inc. is "silly" and an example of conservatives being too politically correct, said Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets a group of girls attending the Girls Inc. luncheon at the Qwest Center Omaha on Monday.
"I think this is a classic example of overreaction and a lack of proportion," Obama said of the boycott of American Girl because of Girls Inc.'s support for abortion rights and acceptance of lesbians.
The Illinois senator, who is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, spoke Monday in Omaha to a sell-out crowd of 1,500 at a fundraiser for Girls Inc.
He talked about how, 50 years after Brown v. Board of Education, some schools still remained "visibly separate and painfully unequal." He also tried to inspire the girls in the audience to "dream big" and talked about the need for society to help all young girls reach their potential.
He said everyone can agree that "our daughters" should have the same opportunities as "our sons."
"That's not a Democratic idea, or a liberal idea. That's not a Republican idea . . . it's an American idea," said Obama, echoing his famous 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
The event raised more than $100,000 for Girls Inc.
In a 10-minute press conference before his speech, Obama talked about the American Girl boycott and the upcoming hearing for Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers.
The American Family Association demanded earlier this month that the makers of American Girl - a doll with a loyal following among girls and women - stop supporting Girls Inc. through a fundraising campaign.
The Pro-Life Action League, a Chicago-based group that opposes abortion, also threatened a boycott if American Girl did not sever its ties with Girls Inc.
American Girl, which is a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., sells "I Can" wristbands. The proceeds go to support educational programs of Girls Inc.
The company has refused to stop the campaign or its support of Girls Inc.
Girls Inc., is a nonprofit group that dates back to 1864 and that helps young girls - especially low-income girls - to lead "successful, independent and fulfilling lives."
It also supports the 1973 Roe v. Wade court decision, which legalized abortions, and acceptance of lesbians.
Obama indicated that he thought the conservative groups had gone too far in calling for a boycott of American Girl dolls. He also said that it is typically liberals that are accused of being too "politically correct" and "overly sensitive."
Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, disputed Obama's contention that the threatened boycott was an "overreaction" and said the group would go forward with it by Nov. 1 if American Doll did not sever its support of Girls Inc. by the end of October.
"He's absolutely wrong," Scheidler said of Obama. "It's not an example of overreaction. It's an example of appropriate reaction."
In his press conference, Obama also predicted that recent Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers would have a "bumpier" confirmation process. He also said she would have to be more "forthcoming" in the Senate hearings because of her lack of a paper trail.
"She has not spent her career thinking about constitutional issues," said Obama.
Contact the Omaha World-Herald newsroom
Barack Obama on the road ahead for the Democratic Party:
http://ads.omaha.com/media/maps/audio/102405aabarackdems.mp3
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