With polling showing him behind Democrat opponent Tammy Duckworth, Congressman Joe Walsh today held a press conference challenging Duckworth and the Democrat Party's focus on the issue of abortion.
Pro-choice and pro-life businesswomen from the 8th Congressional District joined Walsh at a press conference this afternoon, and called on Duckworth to "stop discussing abortion and focus on the issues that matter to them today: jobs, the economy and the national debt."
Walsh told the gathering, "These women with me today, women not from California, but from within this 8th district - moms, business owners, grandmothers, community leaders, pro-choice and pro-life have all come together to ask a simple request of Ms. Duckworth: would you please have enough respect for women to speak to the issues that matter this year to women and their families?"
Business owner Marina Collazo followed, "I'm pro-choice. I'm trying to build my business. I know where I stand on abortion. Talk to me like a real woman. I care about more things than abortion."
Peggy Thotos, another 8th district business owner, added, "Quite frankly, I'm offended that Tammy Duckworth feels that women's main issue this election is abortion - I'm just offended by it. We've got so many people out there looking for work, worried about losing their homes and putting food on the table. Yet, she's talking about abortion. It'd be nice to really see her focus on what's important this election."