'Sweet 16' Women Senators Talk Defense, Obama

Jan. 17, 2007 — -- For the first time ever, the United States Senate boasts 16 women -- half the number of women who have served in the Senate during the country's more than 200-year history.

In an unprecedented interview, ABC's Diane Sawyer sat down with all of them to talk about everything from the 2008 elections to the future of women in the government.

One of the first issues discussed was another groundbreaking member of the Senate -- Sen. Barack Obama, the black lawmaker from Illinois who came one step closer to officially running for president as a Democrat in 2008 by announcing Tuesday that he would form an exploratory committee to consider a White House bid.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., believes Obama may be up to the task.

"Well, he's a talented individual. We're so glad to have him in our caucus. And he's a voice, I think, that is bringing a lot of fresh ideas," she said. "And I'm so glad because when we have a woman who might be in the White House who could [be] bringing female leadership to a whole new level. That's exciting."

"And Barack is carrying a torch as well, for breaking a glass ceiling," Cantwell added. "It's a long way until the first primary, but I think we're very proud. And we're certainly very proud of what Sen. Clinton has done and achieved in the United States Senate."

Sawyer then asked the senators whether they thought there would be less war if more women were in leadership positions in government.

"How sure are you that there would be less war?" she asked.

"I think that women are agents of change. And while we're only 16 percent of the United States Senate, we are trying to make change," Cantwell said. "So it doesn't mean that you're going to predict the outcome, but it does mean you will hear about collaboration, you will hear about cooperation and you will hear about a format that I think brings people together."

With women in charge, there would be more collaboration, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., told Sawyer.