Republicans and Women

In the last general election, women voted primarily for President Barack Obama, though the percentage of women voting for the incumbent dropped from 2008.  Throughout the two political party nominating conventions, two different images were presented.  In North Carolina, the Democrats harped on the idea that the Republicans were waging a “war on women.”  Meanwhile, in Florida, the Republicans were highlighting their up-and-coming female stars who dot the political landscape, from the state legislatures to the federal one.  Recently, the fight to label the Republicans as anti-women has taken on a fever pitch in various states, most notably Texas, on the issue of abortion. 

One of the more puzzling things about the abortion fight in Texas, one that has already been addressed in North Carolina and Wisconsin, was the content of the pro-abortion argument.  State Senator Wendy Davis of Texas drew a great deal of attention to herself and her cause with a filibuster of an abortion bill.  Now, given the attention she received, given how often her supporters mentioned back-alley coat hanger abortions, one would be forgiven for thinking that Texas was considering abolishing abortion altogether.  No, what the bill was suggesting is that there should be a law against abortions beyond 20 weeks – that is five months and well into the second trimester.  We are entering into late-term abortions territory here.  Is that what Sen. Davis “bravely and courageously” fought for?  Did she fight for the right to abort babies that are into their final stages of development?  Is that what her “oh-so-cool” pink sneakers are about? 

The news media made a great deal about the amount of people swarming the Texas capitol but a couple of things need to be understood.  One, Austin is a bit of an odd duck in Texas as it is easily the most liberal city in the state.  Therefore, the fact that a horde of late-term abortion advocates could descend upon the legislature is not surprising.  Second, the majority of Texans and of Americans are against abortions beyond twenty weeks.  Once surveys ask about late-term abortions, the numbers of those opposed are even higher.  However, the media has painted a narrative that the proposed state laws are unconstitutionally restrictive and the opposition to the laws is increasingly large.  There is a discontinuity between the facts of the situation and the reality.  Is it possible that the same gap exists when speaking about Republicans and women?

According to Gallup, women’s support of President Obama dropped 3% in 2012 compared to 2008.  One might think this is rather paltry but given that women, traditionally, have always been keen towards the Democrat Party, the number is nevertheless surprising.  Additionally, given the “war on women” perpetrated by the Republicans, this statistic seems particularly perplexing.  While numbers of women are small in Congress as a whole, there are a sizeable minority of Republican women serving in Washington, as well as governors throughout the country.  When one considers that thirty of the country’s fifty states are governed by Republicans, the idea that women are rejecting the conservative message also rings hollow.  By the way, four of those thirty states are governed by women (Jan Brewer in Arizona, Susana Martinez in New Mexico, Mary Fallin in Oklahoma and Nikki Haley in South Carolina).  In comparison, there is only one female Democrat governor (Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire).   

Historically, there has been significant female support for Republicans and conservatism.  The philosophy’s message has a great deal that appeal to women.  Political pundits often attempt to pigeon hole various groups and in doing so, minimize the minority within that group and in their own way, prevent its growth.  The fact is that with every major demographic group that has traditionally voted Democrat, there is a growing number voting Republican and representing or trying to represent the Republican Party.  It is interesting that most of the pundits on television who claim to have the answer for the Republicans in future elections are Democrats.  Call me Jewish but I doubt their sincerity.  The best way to win future elections is not to forego conservative principles.  It is the philosophy that most empowers women and the rest of us too.