Back in October, when the Democratic nomination for president was still in question, Hillary Clinton's pollster claimed that if Clinton were the Democratic nominee, 24 percent of Republican women would vote for her. That same month, the Los Angeles Times / Bloomberg poll found that if John McCain were the Republican nominee, 20 percent of Republican women would vote for Barack Obama while 11 percent would cast their votes for Clinton. And this month's Gallup poll showed Democratic women favoring Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama 49 to 45 percent. In fact, CNN reported that 17 percent of Clinton's supporters (read women) would support McCain if she weren't chosen as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee and another 22 percent wouldn't vote in November.
What's the significance of all these numbers? To me and, I would presume, to the strategists for both Obama and McCain, it's time for a big push to gather up all that X chromosome support. Here are some suggestions for Senator McCain:
- "Older" women remember too well what it was like in the '70s to be passed over in the workplace, despite experience, knowledge, and preparation. Remind that group repeatedly that you have decades of experience in life as well as in government, that you are well-prepared to be president, and don't deserve to be passed over this time.
- Clinton, the fighter, won increasing support from women. You may have to reach way back into your memory bank for that fighting spirit. But the results could be worth the effort.
- Pro-life Democrats have been looking for a landing place since the abortion issue grabbed the national spotlight some 35 years ago when they no longer agreed with their party's pro-choice platform. Your pro-life stance fits theirs and could convince them to cross party lines.
And for Obama, I have the following recommendations:
- Women enjoy their hard-won power in the workplace and at home. So play up your female-centered family and the influences of your mother, grandmother, wife, and mother-in-law on your life, as suggested by your campaign spokes- woman (sic) Linda Douglass.
- You need to counter the growing hate emails claiming you are a radical Muslim , particularly for women want clarity on this issue. In San Diego this month, your half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, PhD, will talk about you at a fund-raiser. Might be a good idea to have her and other surrogates address the religion question head-on for broader audiences and get some media coverage for those events.
- Point out loudly and often your pro-choice credentials and your support from NARAL Pro-Choice America. Here is a clear enticement for women who cannot support a pro-life candidate to turn to you in November.
And do let me know how this all works out.
