Obama Walks in Homecare Worker's Shoes

[Omaha Steve]

Senator Barack Obama got an up-close-and-personal look at SEIU member Pauline Beck's life yesterday as he met with her and her family for breakfast in Alameda, California, then assisted her in the care of her 86-year-old client.

As part of SEIU’s program to ensure presidential candidates better understand workers’ everyday challenges, Sen. Obama saw firsthand what it means to care for someone who needs 24-hour care.

Check out photos, video, news coverage, and more at WalkADayInMyShoes2008.com :http://www.walkadayinmyshoes2008.com/

Watch this morning's coverage on the Today Show: http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=4eb32c34-621b-4f72-af45-2ee61b9789cb&f=05&fg=rss

Tell the presidential candidates about your everyday challenges.


Sen. Obama was the 4th presidential candidate to walk a day in a member’s shoes following Sen. Edwards, Gov. Richardson and Sen. Dodd in recent months. Stay tuned for Sen. Clinton on Monday.


"After spending a day with me, I hope Senator Obama sees the energy homecare workers give to their clients, and what it takes to raise a family as a single mom."
— Pauline Beck, Oakland homecare worker and SEIU member

"I learned some specific things about the struggles that homecare workers are going through. The priority that Pauline placed on having paid sick leave reminds me of how important that is to the workforce as a whole, many of whom are in her position and don't have paid sick leave."
— Sen. Barack Obama