1. Must believe in evolution - this is non-negotiable. OK, Huckabee's out.

2. Must be able to bring the nation together to work on the many critical issues it now faces.
I imagine Day 1 in the Oval Office.

Who is flocking to offer unconditional help to Hillary?

Who is flocking to offer unconditional help to Obama?

OK, Hillary is out, too partisan.

And, I am concerned as to whether Hillary can control Bill. I am beginning to think he sees this as his 3rd term.

3. Must have expertise in international issues. OK, Guiliani is out, Romney is out.

4. Must be pro-choice because without it there is no basic respect for the intellect of women - OK, McCain is out.

And also because he thinks we might stay in Iraq for 100 years and warns there will be more wars. I want a President who doesn't see war as the first option, hardly as an option.

5. Must be able to sit down with all parties and bring out their desire for the common good versus each parties' individual good. OK, John Edwards is out. He's too mad at the corporations. So am I, but they will need to be part of the conversation.

6. Obama.

I knew the answer, all along.

Although as a lifelong feminist, I am sad that I am not going to be proudly voting for a woman for President.

But wouldn't it be great to be inspired again, to bring all people into the solution, to share again in what I believed America was, and for which I thought it so special, that day back in 1978 when I chose to become a citizen of the United States of America?

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen