Michelle Obama speaks at the DNC Women's Caucus

A group of high-profile female Democratic politicians gathered to speak at the DNC Women's Caucus. Among these women was Michelle Obama, the wife of Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). Also in attendence at the caucus was Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who emphasized Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) negative voting record on issues such as abortion rights and equal pay for women. She stated that he has a "zero-percent voting record in favor of issues important to women." Boxer declared, "[Obama] is a hero, McCain is a zero."

During the caucus, a group of anti-abortion protesters broke into the meeting. Every delegate in attendence stood up and started chanting "Obama."

Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) drew attention to the importance of the female vote in the coming election: DeLauro stated "[women] set the agenda, and [women] make history," referring to the so-called gender gap (in which women are more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate, and influence the election) in the current world of politics .

Mrs. Obama cited the hardships Senator Obama watched his hard-working mother and grandmother endure during his childhood as making him understanding and compassionate about female issues and ideals. She discussed Mr. Obama's legislative plans, such as ending wage discrimination against women and supporting pro-choice legislation.

Protestors cry out against Obama, McCain immigration policies

By Joel Ebert

A crowd of roughly sixty people gathered in Congress Park for a rally supporting the Minuteman Civil Defense Corp. Among the key speakers at the event were Minuteman President Chris Simcox, Alan Keys, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), and Constitutional Party Presidential nominee Chuck Baldwin.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corp. consists of American citizens who patrol the U.S.-Mexico border in order to assist in the prevention of illegal immigration. Simcox organized the event to bring together Presidential candidates who have promised to adhere to the Minutemen’s agenda. He said the event was organized to challenge both Barack Obama and John McCain on their immigration policies.

“We need to show the rest of the world that you are not going to tread on us,” Simcox said. “We are going to use our military assets and we are going to secure our borders to maintain our national security and protect public safety,” he continued. The gathering was interrupted by a group of eight protesters opposing the Minutemen with a megaphone. Chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, racist Minutemen have got to go”, the protesters stirred the feelings of the Minuteman crowd.

The protesters waved klan hoods and taunted the Minutemen by declaring, "The US government is illegitimate." The crowd responded with laughs and annoyed looks. "Its a shame to waste a good public school education," Simcox said, referring to the teenage protesters.