In states like Wisconsin and Florida, campaign commercials featuring women and issues like education, children’s health, stem cell research or abortion rights have emerged. Emily’s List, the group that raises money for female Democratic candidates who support abortion rights, has begun conducting phone banks aimed at these possible “drop off” women voters in California, New Hampshire and Washington, and creating election commercials related to issues like a cervical cancer vaccine placed, for instance, on Hulu before “Glee” — in hopes of reaching younger, single women, a heavily Democratic-leaning group.
New York Times, “Democrats Try to Revive Women’s Enthusiasm.” The problem is that Democrats are used to appealing to women only on the issues that they believe appeal to women. As it turns out, women care about defense. And taxes. And spending. And the economy. You have to have more to your strategy than an ad about the cervical cancer vaccine to motivate young women entering a terrible job market in a recession to vote for you. In 2004 it was security moms (defense), in 2010 it is “mama grizzlies” (economy/spending) - women engaged on issues that Democrats don’t often discuss when targeting women.
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