DES MOINES-Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will push harder for women's issues than John McCain, his likely Republican opponent.

Sebelius, rumored to be under consideration as Obama's running mate, said Obama has a stronger record on equal pay for women and universal health coverage than McCain, an Arizona senator.

"We have a candidate in Barack Obama who very much supports universal health insurance, who supports pension equity for women, who supports expanded medical leave," she said before an audience of around 70 people during a stop at the Scottish Rite Consistory in downtown Des Moines.

Sebelius said Obama will unify the Democratic Party and attract supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, a former rival for the party's nomination.

"I think when word gets out, when people spend a little time looking at the difference between John McCain and Barack Obama, there's no question in my mind that folks who were enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton will be enthusiastically supporting Barack Obama," she said.

Sebelius said women make about 77 cents on average for every dollar a man makes, and she said Obama would work to close that gap in wages.

"That's not only money in women's pocketbooks, it's money for their children, it's money for their home mortgage, it's money for their health insurance, it's money for groceries and gas, it's money for the future," she said.

But Republicans said McCain's stances on taxes and energy will benefit women and families during a conference call with reporters earlier in the day.

Mary Kramer, the former president of the Iowa Senate, said Obama's tax policy will burden small business owners, many of whom are women with families.

"The Obama tax policy could amount to a huge tax increase on these small business owners and entrepreneurs," Kramer said. "And I think those women need to be given every break they can, because most of the time they're supporting families."

State Rep. Sandra Greiner, R-Keota, said McCain's energy plan embraces a variety of energy sources and expanded domestic drilling. Such a plan could ease energy prices and help out families struggling to pay energy bills, she said.

McCain spokeswoman Wendy Riemann said in a statement that McCain has always fought discrimination in the workplace.

"John McCain has always supported and will continue to support all employees in their ability to work in an environment free of discrimination based race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Our nation has been built on such a belief and so must any workplace," Riemann said.

Sebelius declined to comment on the possibility of joining Obama on the Democratic ticket while answering questions from reporters following her remarks.

She said any announcements regarding Obama's running mate should come from his campaign, but she said she will support anyone Obama chooses.

Asked if she wants the job, she replied, "I want Barack Obama to be elected president. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he is elected Nov. 4."

Fred Love can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or fred.love@lee.net.