'War on women' comes to Wisconsin recall – and could be decisive
Source: Christian Science Monitor
'War on women' comes to Wisconsin recall - and could be decisive
By Kay Nolan, Contributor / June 2, 2012
Milwaukee
Edna Kunkel calls herself an accidental activist. A writer of technical and scientific manuals from Verona, Wis., she came of age at the height of the womens movement, and she never expected to take to the streets in defense of those causes more than 30 years later.
In large part, Ms. Kunkel became a womens rights activist in her 50s because of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. On one April day alone, the Republican signed a slew of laws on subjects ranging from education to abortion that many activists say amount to a war on women.
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Those bills did not trigger Governor Walkers June 5 recall election. But what began last year as a backlash to the governors landmark antiunion bill has in many respects become a test run for the national elections to come in November, and the alleged war on women that has played out on the presidential stage has also taken shape here.
In that way, Wisconsin could be a window on how the issue will play out nationwide in the fall. For one, it has made Walkers battle to fend off his recall harder, with polls showing women viewing him far less favorably than do men. Moreover, it has kindled the fire of women like Kunkel, who are becoming politically engaged some for the first time as they see his reforms as unraveling the rights they fought so hard to win.
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Read more:
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/Governors/2012/0602/War-on-women-comes-to-Wisconsin-recall-and-could-be-decisive