Madison's week in the political spotlight began Monday when First Lady Laura Bush and Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards, campaigned in the area on behalf of their spouses.
Bush's speech focused on how political issues affect women, while Edwards' address dealt specifically with stem cell research.
Bush's speech emphasized many of the same issues President Bush has based his campaign on, including the war on terrorism, medical liability reform and tax relief.
Bush said among the many people who would benefit from her husband's tax cuts are small business owners, many of whom are female.
\Ten million women own their own businesses in America, and this sisterhood keeps growing,"" she said. ""Small business owners ... are some of the hardest-working people in America and the president wants more Americans to be able to share in their success. The president knows that that starts with keeping taxes low.""
Although she did not touch on women's issues like workplace equality, abortion and family medical leave, Bush made a surprising statement supporting stem cell research, which many Republicans oppose.
""My husband became the first president to authorize federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, and a lot of that research is going on here at the University of Wisconsin, and I'm so proud of that,"" she said. ""This is a key business item, allowing science to explore its potential, while respecting the dignity of human life.""
Many speechgoers cheered and waved ""W Is For Women"" signs during the speech, and crowded the parking lot afterwards hoping for a chance to meet the First Lady.
After touring the Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Ave., Edwards met with researchers at UW-Madison and discussed the importance of continuing stem cell research. Edwards stressed her visit was not for political purposes but was over the importance of the issue of stem cells.
However, UW-Madison political science Professor Virginia Sapiro said stem cells are a very important point of distinction between the Kerry and Bush campaigns.
Edwards said further delay of stem cell research is immoral, but added the progression of such research is difficult because ""the president does not have a secret box of money"" for funding it.
In an interview with The Daily Cardinal, Edwards also challenged Laura Bush's claim that the president has benefited the female population.
""I've actually read Laura Bush's 'W is for Women' speech, and the one thing that's notable about the speech is there's not a single program in there that's for women. Not one,"" she said.
Edwards said the president has cut Title IX funding and has failed to help small businesses, many of which have female owners. She also said he has tried to close several offices of the women's bureau.
""I could go on for 20 more minutes on the way this president has been absolutely wrong for women,"" she said.
""Laura Bush, when she talks about his being right for women, cannot identify a single program that is actually helpful to women,"" she said.
Edwards also outlined her husband's plans to make it easier for Americans to attend college. She explained Kerry's ""Two-for-One"" program, where the federal government pays for four years of college at a state university or community college if a person devotes two years to community service.
