Should Dems be Worried By “Women for Warren”?

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Adam Joseph Drici, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Democratic senate hopeful Elizabeth Warren launched a new grassroots initiative aimed at female voters last week under the banner of "Women for Warren."

"We mark the anniversary of women gaining the right to vote recognizing that it’s more important than ever that women vote," said the Warren campaign's Julie Edwards on Monday.

"This morning, with the outrageous comments of Rep. Todd Akin in the news, it is clearer than ever that women’s rights are at risk, especially if Republicans take control of our government."

Partisan Lines Drawn

"Democrats believe that Women for Warren is the answer to the War on Women," said Morgan Marietta, a professor of Political Science at UMass-Lowell, who noted that the emphasis on engaging female voters is symptomatic of an increasingly polarized campaign.

"Each side is turning toward their base rather than undecideds, independents, or swing voters," he said.

The recent statements by Akin and GOP Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan's cosponsoring of a bill to redefine rape with the Missouri representative have provided new ammunition for a Democratic offensive focused on women's issues.

" Given that contraception --and now rape -- have entered into the political discussion, I don't think it's odd in the least," said Charley Blandy of Blue Mass Group.

"It's a way to focus and clarify her views to a particular group of voters."

Massachusetts Democratic Party Executive Director Clare Kelly said Senator Scott Brown is on record voting against equal pay and in favor of allowing employers to make decisions regarding female employees' health care.

"He's out of touch and on the wrong side of issues that matter to women across the Commonwealth," she said.

Women and the Massachusetts GOP

Across the aisle, Massachusetts Republicans seemed unruffled by Warren's latest feint.

"The issue on all voters’ minds, regardless of gender, is how to create jobs and fix this bad economy," said Tim Buckley, Communications Director for the state Republican Party.

Buckley pointed out that Worcester's own ex-mayor and current city councilor Konstantina Lukes, one of the state's influential female Democrats, has already come out in support of Brown this November.

When it comes to courting women voters, Red Mass Group's Rob Eno said Scott Brown led and Elizabeth Warren followed.

"'Women for Brown' has been such a success across the state," he said. "[Brown's wife] Gail Huff has breathed new life into the effort."

Huff, a television journalist, left her job in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago to join her husband on the campaign trail, meeting with business owners in Attleboro and North Attleboro on Friday.

Brown was quick to condemn Akin's comments on Monday, issuing a statement that called for the candidate to resign his nomination and beating the Warren campaign to the punch.

"Clearly Brown does not want Massachusetts voters to agree with Women for Warren about the War on Women," said Marietta.