» By Philip Sparn
–psparn@my.apsu.edu
As the 2012 elections near, the presidential campaigns are tightening their focus on the largest and arguably most important segment of voters, women.
The presidential contest has essentially become a two-person race between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and incumbent President Barack Obama.
These candidates, along with both parties, are wasting no time in attempting to appeal to women voters and gain or bolster their support.
Recently, both the Romney and Obama campaigns seized on some ill-advised and controversial words said by a Democratic CNN contributor, to demonstrate their support for women and mothers.
Both campaigns used this opportunity to point out all women work hard and face many challenges, whether it is raising children or managing a career or both.
“There needs to be a constructive national conversation about women’s issues, with women actually at the table, instead of a rhetorical war among men,” said Marsha Lyle-Gonga, assistant Political Science professor.
Regardless of where each side stands on women’s issues and the challenges of motherhood, Republicans, especially Romney, are facing an uphill battle when it comes to winning the ever so important women vote.
A CNN/ORC poll released last week indicates a majority of women believe Obama is “more in touch with the problems facing women today.”
The CNN poll reveals Romney faces a 16-point deficit among women voters, when compared to Obama.
Historically women have voted Democrat, creating a “gender-gap” for Republicans.
In the 2008 Presidential elections, Obama received 56 percent of the women vote over U.S. Sen. John McCain.
The Democrats have received a majority of the women vote for over 30 years, according to the Pew Research Center.
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