Obama Brings 'War on Women' to State that Rebuked White House for Unequal Pay

The New York Times reports that "Obama Travels to Colorado With Appeal to Women."

Mr. Obama will be introduced on Wednesday afternoon at the University of Colorado in Denver by Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown Law School graduate who earlier this year became the face of women’s reproductive rights after Congressional Republicans blocked her from testifying about insurance coverage of contraception. The conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh later referred to her as a prostitute; he apologized after a furor caused some corporate sponsors to defect from his program.

Mr. Obama’s emphasis on reproductive rights suggests an effort to solidify his backing among women, who are the mainstay of his support and offset his weakness among white males.

Yet, Obama's decision to bring the war on women to Colorado might seem a little odd. After all, earlier this year, Colorado's state senate rebuked Obama's White House for paying male employees more than its female employees.

"Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, offered an amendment that noted female staffers in the White House earn an average of 18 percent less than male staffers," the Denver Post reported in April. "The pay disparity was the subject of recent news reports and has been circulated widely among conservatives. ‘I think that is unacceptable,’ Brophy said.'"

The amendment passed with overwhelming bipartisan support:

Sen. Irene Aguilar, D-Denver, a co-sponsor of the resolution, urged fellow Democrats to accept the amendment.

"As soon as Michelle (Obama) finds out about it, they (female staffers) will all be in good shape," Aguilar said