Is Coakley Using Women’s Issues as a Campaign Crutch?
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
While certainly an important and integral part of any gubernatorial campaign leading up to the election, some are saying that Coakley is out of touch with her voters, saying that these issues are one of the few political fights that she can dominate.
"In 2014, it is unacceptable that we are taking steps backwards when it comes to a women’s access to safe and affordable health care, and women are still getting paid less than their male counterparts," Coakley said in a statement. "As Governor, I will stand for the health, the safety, and the economic well-being of the women of Massachusetts. I am proud to have the support of so many highly respected woman leaders, and I look forward to working with them in the coming months to discuss how we will make Massachusetts a national leader in advancing the rights of women."
Coakley has been endorsed by many organizations focused on women’s rights, such as Emily’s List and Planned Parenthood. In addition to her “Moms for Martha” campaign, Coakley has also launched a Women’s Leadership Council.
Candidates Respond
Because women’s rights issues are of high importance right now in Massachusetts, all three Democratic gubernatorial candidates have been focusing to work with women throughout the state.
While much attention as of late has been going to women’s rights – an area that Coakley has been dominating through endorsements – gubernatorial candidate Steve Grossman feels that when the campaign is nearing the end, voters are going to be much more focused on other campaign issues.
“I think that you have to deal with challenges as they occur,” said Grossman. “Women’s rights issues are very important and we are all doing our part to speak to the issues. But when we get down to the last part of this campaign, I think that voters are going to look at the number one issue in Massachusetts right now: job creation. This is something that I have proven that I can do.”
“I can’t comment on her campaign specifically but I can tell you that I have been at the forefront of women’s rights issues and they are an integral part of my campaign,” said Berwick. “I am proud of my stance on women’s rights issue; in this campaign I stand second to no one on women’s rights issues.”
A Worthy Crutch
Whether a crutch for her campaign or not, Erin O’Brien – an Associate Professor of Political Science at UMass Boston – believes that Coakley using women’s right issue as an important aspect of her campaign is something that will provide more advantages than disadvantages.
Coakley is a candidate that has been bashed for being “out of touch;” being very much involved in women’s rights issues can help show an entire demographic that she is very much in touch with some key issues in Massachusetts. Ultimately, the support is something that will help Coakley, especially among the Democratic elite, a group that she has had trouble winning over in the past.
“It is smart politics on her part,” said O’Brien. “Aligning with women’s groups is likely to have a high return for votes. While no candidate can solely run off one issue, it really is smart for Coakley to make this a top issue for her campaign because this is an issue that she has consistently been at the forefront of.”
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