"I was the Democratic chair for Voters for Choice — an independent pro-choice political action group," Gold said during her introduction. "Also, many years ago when I was a child, I became involved by working on women's issues by working with a group called the Women's Issues Network, a multi-issue organization in Chicago."

She went on to add that while working for Obama she has "never had to leave her feminist credentials at the door."

"I had the opportunity to work with Barack very closely on some issues like creating an earned income tax credit in Illinois and passing a state version of the violence against women act which was called the Gender Violence Act," she said. "I can say to you without any reservation that Barack is fantastic on women's issues."

The listening post was set so that Gold could hear from local caucus goers — not all of whom at the table were Obama supporters — and take what they said back to headquarters for use in shaping both national and campaign policy.

"I have a strong belief that women's issues aren't just the substantive issues that we think of as women's issues," Gold said. "I would like to hear from you about any issues that are of concern to you. If you are a woman, the things that concern you are women's issues."

Following that, Gold asked if there was an issue that women needed to hear Obama discuss more or present more in-depth.

"I know when my husband and I were making phone calls, my husband was asked by another man about Obama's position on abortion," said Marlene Schmidt, who is currently a retiree, but worked in accounting for years. "My husband was not able to answer that, and I am also not real clear on what Obama's position is on that."

When asked to clarify whether or not she knew Obama was in favor of abortion rights, Schmidt said she did not, probably because the issue is not a priority for her.

"He is pro-choice," said Gold. "If he were not, I wouldn't be here. So you think this is something that needs to come out more? I'm curious to hear what everyone else thinks."

Around the table, the women expressed mixed emotions on whether or not Obama should give more voice to his stance on abortion.

Retiree Sue Jergensen said the issue is "a sticky wicket" and probably not something the campaign wants to push.

Cedar Rapids attorney Gilda Boyer explained that she'd like to see the campaign not only make more statements on abortion but to offer more information on all the issues that surround women's reproductive health.

"What has happened with this administration is not just a subversion of Roe but a total subversion of reproductive health care rights for women," said Boyle. "We have incompetents in control of the Food and Drug Administration. We have blockage of emergency contraception, which is insane. We have this whole moralistic attitude toward women's health care that is not science-based. In my book, what needs to happen is a broad conversation."

The issue of abortion alone is still very polarizing, she said, but there are other aspects of reproductive health care that are not taking place.

"There has not been a big discussion on what has happened with health care for women and reproductive health issues," she said. "This is a conversation that has been taken away from us, and the language and the words have been misused."

As evidence of that fact, Gold told those in attendance that a woman currently serving in the U.S. military cannot get an abortion in a military hospital even with her own money.

"If that woman is sexually assaulted in the line of duty and becomes pregnant, she would have to go state-side with her own money to get an abortion," she said. "It is extremely important to me that we have a president who is going to stand up and say, 'not on my watch.'"

Most of the women agreed that more should be said about the complete package of reproductive health and cited their experiences during the 2006 Iowa gubernatorial race as evidence of women seeking a candidate that supports access.

"I'm not sure if I want him to bring this particular issue to the front," said Jergensen. "I know it is important, but I also want him to be elected. I think the campaign needs to ensure that it is important in the state of Iowa. I know he is very good at speaking, so I know he will know what to say and how to say it. I'm just not sure if it is politically to his advantage to emphasize this issue."

One of the oldest participants around the table, Muriel Rogers, said what buried Mike Blouin in the gubernatorial race was that women didn't feel he could be trusted to protect their rights.

"I was in the room at a Blouin event," she said. "The women sitting next to me listened to him, and once she realized he wasn't pro-choice then turned to me and said, 'Wait a minute. What am I doing here?' There were several of us who didn't quite understand Blouin's point on this issue and, once we heard it, we left. I think that was true across the state."

Obama's campaign will continue this listening tour during the coming weeks and will hear from Iowa caucus-goers in many different small groups as they begin construction of additional white papers on the issues.