The Republican Party’s “War on Women”
The US Presidential Election Campaign was dominated this year by debate about reproductive rights. For those of us watching from overseas it was hard to believe the comments from politicians and commentators on this issue. In February conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke a law student who advocated for insurance coverage for contraceptives a slut and a prostitute. The Democrats seized on these comments accusing Republicans of waging a “war on women” .
By focusing on “women’s issues” through out the campaign the Democrats pushed the Republican’s into a corner forcing them to defend their rigid position on abortion which includes a federal ban with no exceptions for rape incest or the health of the mother.The strategy worked , eliciting bizarre and controversial comments which alienated scores of women and men voters.