Lady Problems, yes they do

[sheshe2]

It was clear in both the lead up to and the aftermath of the November 2012 election that Republican candidates are not faring well among women voters. From Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin to Mitt Romney's 11-point loss among women voters, it became painfully clear that the GOP has a lady problem. A new memo from a pair of liberal groups that pulls together some of the polling figures makes a strong case for paying more attention to this divide.

The memo, from Stephanie Schriock of EMILY’s List and Neera Tanden of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, notes that even the Republican National Committee's own post-election report found that, "[Women] represent more than half the voting population in the country, and our inability to win their votes is losing us elections." But while Republicans have made some effort to soften the party's positioning on issues like immigration and LGBT rights, the party has not moderated its stance on reproductive rights or other issues of interest to many women voters.

The memo points to the unprecedented attack on access to abortion underway in states like North Dakota and Arkansas, the 160 Republicans that voted against the Violence Against Women Act at the federal level, and the ongoing fights over both contraception coverage and cuts to the federal family planning budget.

NARAL Pro-Choice America's polling right after the election found that Romney's view on abortion was the top reason for voting against him that swing-voting women cited in their survey. Planned Parenthood also used this issue to attack anti-choice politicians. Planned Parenthood also used this issue to attack anti-choice politicians. Another post-election poll from Democracy Corps found that 33 percent of unmarried women listed the attacks on Planned Parenthood and women's preventative health services as a top reason for voting against Romney.

MORE:
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/04/11/news-of-the-day-2/

[freshwest]

1. This will be critical in Mass. When's that election happening?

Markey being the NARAL candidate and Lynch being anti-choice should inform the votes right away. IDK what the opinion of most in Mass. are on these issues. Warren was of course pro-choice.

Kerry took heat from the RCC on following the law, but that Brown was elected - guessing he was pro-choice - doesn't tell me much.

Now that Barney is gone, IDK how that is going either since the younger Kennedy isn't in the running, either...

[sheshe2]

2. Primary will be held on April 30.

Special election on June 25th.

NOW supports Markey.

snip

"NOW PAC endorses only those candidates who demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to the entire range of women's rights issues, including reproductive justice, marriage equality and economic justice," Terry O'Neill, chairwoman of the National Organization for Women's Political Action Committee said in a statement. "Ed Markey has never let the women's community down.”

Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal said Markey “has stood with the women’s movement in the fight for women’s economic, reproductive, and health care rights, as well as the fight to end violence against women."

Markey has focused on women’s issues this week, releasing a television ad and launching a coalition of women supporters. Markey has pointed out repeatedly that he is pro-choice, while Lynch is pro-life (Lynch has said he will not work to overturn Roe v. Wade and will not support a Supreme Court justice with that agenda).
Thursday night, Markey held 15 house parties where his campaign said hundreds of women made phone calls to other potential female supporters. Markey called in by phone to the “Women for Markey” events, which included an event at his campaign headquarters with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.

http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/womens_groups_support_ed_marke.html

[freshwest]

3. Is he getting coverage on the PBS or other stations there?

[sheshe2]

4. I don't watch much TV.

What I have read from the net...here are some. Good reads. I read something from the Boston Hearald, a sponser at the debate....they are a right wing tab. I ignored what they said.

The special election to fill John Kerry’s now-vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts is fast approaching — and Tufts Democrats is mobilizing. The group, which enthusiastically campaigned in November for current Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and President Barack Obama, has revived the campaign for Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.).
Tufts Democrats, which received a personal visit from Markey yesterday, has taken steps like officially endorsing Markey’s campaign and creating the Tufts for Markey branch to support campaign efforts. Markey, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 1976, announced his candidacy for the seat in December and is set to run against Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) in the April 30 Democratic primary.
“I support Ed Markey because he’s a champion in the fight against climate change,” junior Jacob Wessel, a campus coordinator for the Markey campaign, said. “He has an amazing environmental record. He’s been a progressive champion on issues ranging from gay marriage to a woman’s right to choose to equal pay. You can run down the list — he’s always been a fighter for those who are struggling, for helping the people fulfill the American dream.”
The Tufts for Markey campaign, coordinated by freshman Lancy Downs, has been working to register voters, recruit volunteers and canvass and table both on and off campus. According to Downs, Tufts for Markey has been collaborating with both the Medford and Somerville campaigns in support of Markey.

http://www.tuftsdaily.com/features/extended-election-season-prompts-campus-activism-for-markey-campaign-1.2822720#.UWdLObXqnCk

WASHINGTON, DC –The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund announced today that more than $100,000 has already been raised or contributed through its GiveGreen program for Ed Markey since endorsing him in the Massachusetts Senate race in January. This is the quickest LCV Action Fund has ever raised $100,000 for a candidate, and shows the enormous grassroots enthusiasm for Markey’s campaign.

“The grassroots support for Ed Markey’s campaign has set a new record. This is the fastest we’ve ever raised $100,000 for any candidate and shows the enormous support out there for sending Ed Markey to the United States Senate,” said Navin Nayak, LCV Senior Vice President of Campaigns.

http://www.lcv.org/media/press-releases/LCV-Action-Fund-Raises-100-000-for-Ed-Markey-in-Less-Than-Two-Months.html

From Move on

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/10/1200699/-MA-Sen-MoveOn-org-Campaigns-For-Ed-Markey-D

[freshwest]

5. Sounds like he has the liberal vote, all right. Good luck, Mass!

[smirkymonkey]

6. Yes, he is.