'Sex and the City' actor speaks out for Obama in Madison
by Tamira Madsen ¦ The Capital Times ¦ 7 September 2008 "Sex and the City" actor David Eigenberg was never moved enough by a politician to take the time to campaign for one. That is, until he read about the beliefs of Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate. Eigenberg, best known for his role as Steve Brady in the television series "Sex and the City," was joined by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, in campaigning for Obama. Nearly 60 people turned out Sunday morning for a women's roundtable and volunteer recruitment at Obama's Madison campaign office on Monroe Street. "I don't stump for anybody, and I don't come out here with an entourage of PR people," said Eigenberg, who was born in Illinois and raised in Long Island, N.Y. "I'm here because I'm so excited about Barack Obama." Eigenberg, McCollum and Keenan were wrapping up a two-day, seven-city tour of Wisconsin, discussing different stances held by the Republican and Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates on women's issues and reproductive health. With Election Day less than 60 days away, their other main objective was to rally voters to campaign for Obama and vice presidential candidate Joseph Biden. Eigenberg, 44, is a brother to five sisters, and his wife is 18 weeks pregnant with a son, the couple's first child. Besides being pro-choice, Eigenberg is also against the war in Iraq. Furthermore, Keenan, who spoke during the opening day at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, said she is thrilled with Obama's plan for change. She likes Obama's beliefs in regard to improving health care, education, the environment and the economy. But reproductive choice and health are Keenan's main objectives. She would like to see additional focus on reducing unintended pregnancies, and improving sex education and family planning. Reducing the need for abortions also is important to Keenan, but keeping it safe and legal must also be a priority. Keenan proceeded to outline Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's record on women's health care issues, saying he's voted against women's health and privacy 125 out of 130 times as a member of the Senate. "The decision is left very simple to a woman, her family, her doctor and her god. ... It is a complex decision, it is a private decision, and no politician and no government belongs in that decision," Keenan said. "And that's what Barack Obama will protect, and that's what John McCain will take away." Meanwhile, participants gathered around Eigenberg after the hourlong discussion to snap pictures with the actor and learn more about his desire to campaign for the Illinois senator. "When somebody gets behind women's issues like Barack has, it tells me one thing about the person," Eigenberg said. "I know immediately that they are not here to judge the individual; they are here to accept everyone as human beings and the decisions that they've made in their lives, and the decisions they're going to make in their lives." Karen Kilroy of McFarland already made up her mind to cast a vote for Obama in the upcoming election, but once Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was picked as McCain's vice presidential candidate, she said she then decided to become active in the campaign. "I've always been an Obama fan and supporter," Kilroy said, "but once Palin was nominated, and I've read about her for a year or two, that really pushed me over the edge. I have to get active and start doing something. "She scares me with everything she stands for. I'm worried about our daughters, ourselves and our environment. Her stand on taking away women's rights, the right of choice and also many environmental issues." 
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