The distinctions between Barack Obama and John McCain come into clear focus when you look at how their campaigns target their messages to women. Their actions in this venue reflect upon their age and upbringing, political philosophies, and ability to "get it."
Let's start with something that is out of the candidate's hands: their ages. McCain was born in the 1930s (as was my Mom). The age when you really start to understand the society around you is in your mid to late teens. In our history, this was the time when our country was struggling over women's intial foray into the workplace (WWII). When the soldiers came home, they wanted things to be they way they always had been. They wanted their wives and mothers at home. Many of the wives and mothers, perhaps to their own surprise, enjoyed being in the workplace. (I say "in the workplace" because we know they were working even when they were at home.) John McCain is a product of a past time.
Barack Obama's childhood was certainly different than mine, but he grew up in a time of change and flux. His personal life during those years was change and flux. One of the prominent movements during his teen years was the women's lib and the ERA. He saw how capable his Mother was in her efforts to take care of him as a single parent. He saw it was a struggle and grew up respecting that.
Let's look at the candidates' wives. Cindy McCain (his second wife) is significantly younger than he is, and they met each other when she was quite young, and he was already married. There is not that much information out in the public sphere that speaks to how they get along and how they support each other, but from what is out there, it doesn't appear that she is really that involved in that aspect of his life.
Michelle Obama -- what a woman. She used her substantial intellectual powers and hard work to get a good education. She is truly Barack's equal --maybe intellectual superior--at one point in time, she was his professional superior.
Here we are at the issues:
EQUAL PAY
Obama is for the Lilly Ledbettor legistlation
McCain says that women simply need more experience and education
ABORTION
Obama want to preserve the right to choice and protect the health of the mother
McCain sneers at the health of the mother and says abortion won't be a litmus test, but a candidate will fail if he doesn't have the philosophy that would lead toward striking this 35 year old precedent.
HEALTH CARE
Obama believes that health care is a right--moral imperative. I believe he was intentionally speaking to women in the second debate when he put forth two examples: mammograms and maternity
McCain see healthcare as a personal responsibility/burden. He sneers at protecting a mother's health.
Then there is who McCain sees as women with leadership capabilities: Sarah "ethics violation/no newspapers/no SCOTUS cases" Palin.
I like how Obama views women--strong, capable, equals...McCain just doesn't get it.