For years, the Democrats' go-to strategy has been to accuse Republicans of conducting a "war on women" and so appeal to its formidable female voting base. The accusation may no longer be a winner. Men are emerging as the new power base that Democrats ignore at great peril. This is especially true if women split their votes between both parties.
What does the polling data reveal about the seven Republican Senate candidates and the strategy of "anti-woman" accusations?
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The Senate elections offer several gender lessons, including:
- Republicans are fielding formidable female candidates who counter the argument that the GOP is anti-woman;
- The "woman vote" is being split; and
- Men have emerged as a new power base that Democrats ignore at great risk.
On election night, Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer declared, "this is the end of the 'war on women,' and the Democrats have lost it." He pointed to political "dynasties" that crumbled, which included Mark Udall, Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Democratic Senatorial candidate Michelle Nunn (Ga.) and (arguably) Mary Landrieu. Krauthammer suggested they fell because they pushed the war on women strategy too far.
If true, the development has profound implications for Hillary Clinton, who is expected to make a 2016 presidential run. Clinton's main perceived advantage is an ability to mobilize women voters through her signature approach of legislating feminism. If this drives men further toward the GOP, however, it may be her main disadvantage.
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Originally Posted by Lucille
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