Women's groups to give Braun 1st endorsements
by Lynn Sweet
Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief, August 22, 2003
Longshot Democratic presidential hopeful Carol Braun picks up her first major endorsements next week--from the National Organization for Women and the National Women's Political Caucus, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
Braun, the former one-term Illinois senator and former ambassador to New Zealand, is the only woman in the crowded Democratic presidential primary field.
But so far Braun's shoestring campaign has not been able to capitalize on her gender and rally female voters to her candidacy in any significant way.
Her presence in the race as the only woman running for the White House in 2004 is a constant theme in her stump speeches.
Braun's campaign views the endorsements as the beginning of a drive to capture more attention from women and as a boost to Braun's uphill fund-raising effort. NOW's members could also bring a volunteer base that the Braun campaign now lacks.
The endorsements are expected to be announced Tuesday in Washington by Kim Gandy, NOW's president, and Roselyn O'Connell, the president of the National Women's Political Caucus, a source said.
The National Women's Political Caucus was founded in 1971 and recruits, trains and raises money for female candidates who support abortion rights.
Braun has a longtime relationship with NOW, whose mainly Democratic members flocked to her 1992 Senate campaign.
Braun met with one of her rivals, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), while both were campaigning in Des Moines, Iowa, last week, prompting a rumor that Braun may be dropping out and throwing her support to Kerry.
Braun's campaign said the speculation was wrong. Braun has said she intends to officially announce in September.
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