I've been asking animal advocates to raise the question of animal protection when they see candidates stumping on the campaign trail, and I was thrilled today to see that a supporter from Nevada took the issue to heart. 

At an event for Barack Obama in Las Vegas today, a woman asked the candidate for his position on animal rights. Her question made the news and I hope it encourages other candidates to make statements on animal welfare and prompts other voters across the country to put this important issue on the political radar screen.

Because one person took the time to ask a question, Obama commented on the importance of animal protection and his support for specific policy reforms such as legislation to ban horse slaughter for human consumption.  "I think how we treat our animals reflects how we treat each other," he said. "And it's very important that we have a president who is mindful of the cruelty that is perpetrated on animals." 

While some presidential candidates like Mike Huckabee are talking about their personal preference for eating horse meat, other candidates are now talking about protecting horses from the cruel slaughter industry.  But if no one asks the questions, they won't have a word to say about animal protection.

Editor's Note: While the Associated Press story reports that Obama "has been endorsed repeatedly by the Humane Society," the Humane Society Legislative Fund has not yet made any endorsement in the presidential race, and The Humane Society of the United States does not endorse political candidates.