Clinton Addresses Economic Crisis, Pay Equity At Barnard Press Conference

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) quickly shifted from the scheduled topic of pay equity to the topic of the day—financial strife on Wall Street—at Barnard Monday afternoon.

The former presidential candidate contrasted the views of herself and Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) with those of Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Governor Sarah Palin (R-Alaska). The press conference in Sulzberger Parlor was closed to students, except for a select few from related academic departments and extracurricular groups. There was a simulcast in the James Room.

Barnard Debora Spar introduced Clinton, alluding to the bonds between Barnard and the alumna of Wellesley College.

Clinton dismissed the perception that women are on equal footing to men financially saying, “I wish it were true, but unfortunately we have work to do and President Spar understands that.”

Much of her comments echoed or matched the sentiments she expressed on Sept. 10 when the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report that showed the Bush administration had not followed up in enforcement of pay equity laws.

Check www.columbiaspectator.com for more extensive coverage of the press conference and what it means for Barnard College.