Could NARAL Endorsement Hurt Obama?

When NARAL, the pro-choice women's advocacy group, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D., Ill.) over Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., N.Y.) it brought to the fore frustration and anger that had been simmering in the Democratic party. But while prominent Democratic women have voiced anger at the decision, the overriding question is: will it hurt Obama if, as is assumed, he becomes the party's nominee?

An immediate effect of this endorsement has been to stop Obama from declaring victory as the presumptive Democratic nominee because has to be very careful not to alienate women voters who perceive that sexism has played a role in the campaign.

Supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D., NY) felt betrayed. Ellen Malcolm, the founder of Emily's List a group that supports women in politics, and a Clinton supporter said of the endorsement: "I think it is tremendously disrespectful to Senator Clinton...to not give her the courtesy to finish the final three weeks of the primary process." ...