Dems Tout 'Feminine Values' in N.H.
Originally published in Newsday
Dems Tout 'Feminine Values' in N.H.
By RON FOURNIER
AP Political Writer
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Wanted: A single, funny and dynamic woman who likes underdogs, politicians, peace in the world and universal single-payer health care.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich is looking for you.
"If you're out there call me!" the Democratic presidential candidate said at a campaign forum Wednesday night after outlining the traits he's looking for in the nation's next first lady. Kucinich is a bachelor.
The Ohio lawmaker and five other candidates brought a personal touch to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America forum. In addition to the usual policy issues, they were quizzed about prayer, parenthood and other topics.
Former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, promising to inject "feminine values" into the campaign, looked around the stage and declared, "I'm the only mom up here."
The audience roared.
"I did it all! Sick babies. Nursing. Day care. Picking up from soccer classes. Down to faxing homework when I was elected to the United States Senate," Braun said.
Each of the candidates discussed their role raising children.
"Unlike Ambassador Braun," former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said with a grin, "I did not nurse my children." After the laughter died down, he added, "But I did everything else," including changing diapers.
On religion, Dean said, "I pray every night and I don't go to church very often."
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark said his father was Jewish, he was raised a Baptist, became a Catholic and now attends a Presbyterian church.
Dean and John Kerry did get into one typical debate-night tangle. After Dean suggested that Saudi Arabia could face sanctions for ties to terrorism, the Massachusetts senator replied, "Before you shoot from the hip and go off sanctioning Saudi Arabia ... it would be a good idea since they have 46 percent of the world's petroleum and we import 60 percent of it to know what the alternatives to our economy will be."
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