Women in the Driver's Seat
One clear aspect of new polls in key states is that women are driving the race toward Obama.
Women in the Driver's Seat
John Baer, Daily News Political Columnist
As still more new polls emerge from key states such as Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, one very evident and consistent aspect of the race is that women voters are driving the numbers that favor President Obama.
Take the findings of a Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times poll released Wednesday morning.
The poll shows the president extending his lead over Mitt Romney in all three states:
FLORIDA: Obama 53 – Romney 44
OHIO: Obama 53 – Romney 43
PENNSYLVANIA: Obama 54 – Romney 42
And he's ahead on every issue voters were polled about -- the economy, Medicare, health care, national security, international crisis and immigration -- except for deficit reduction.
But perhaps the key finding in the poll is that women in all three states back Obama in big, big numbers. This is key because there are more women than men in America and because years of exit polling show more women vote than men, both in raw numbers and in higher percentages.
According to the Quinnipiac poll:
In Florida, women likely voters back Obama 58-39, a 19-point spread.
In Ohio, women likely voters back Obama 60-35, a 25-point spread.
In Pennsylvania, women likely voters back Obama 58-37, 21-point spread.
Quinnipiac is a major, respected poll. The gender-gap in politics isn't new. You'd think the Romney campaign would have aimed at closing it long ago. The fact that it appears to be widening tells us two things: the Romney campaign just doesn't get it; and women are in the driver's seat.
Cool story, Bro.— Another_1- Are these women aware a vote for Obama dooms their children to a life of menial jobs and excessive taxation? Their children will be cursing them when they find themselves living in a third world country.— MilesLong1
- I agree - take a look across Europe and see how many young adults are unemployed. That is a glimpse into our future. At the end of the day it comes down to the ECONOMY and voters always vote with their wallets, which have been drained over the past four years.
- Only hope for Republicans is the voter suppression laws in these states works.— CommonSense in Philly
- I guess the men really do not get it. I guess the men can not scare the women anymore with stories about the Boogeyman. They see a vote for Romney as a step backwards. A step that they are unwilling to make. I warned the Republicans early on. They just didn't listen. I am a male and a Republican but I can read the tea leaves. It is better to have the majority of the people have a little bit than have the 1 percent have it all. I guess Obama will win. I am not happy but look at the alternative. I should run for office. I would tell the Republicans a thing or two and back it up.— A. Martinez
- The White House: CHECK
The Senate: CHECK
The House remains the final question, which I am told depends largely on the suburbs of Philadelphia.
— Cuddles - Passing bad checks is illegal. But then again, with this administration, anything goes.
- Bring Back Bush
Or any second generation connected ex-governor rich guy.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (another lie).— Cuddles - Cuddles, Obama had the WH, House and Senate for his first 2 years. What do we have to show for it? Unemployment is still above 8% and would be even higher if not for those who have given up looking and are no longer counted.— jfar86
- ObamaCare proves you wrong on the first two years.
Bush is blamed for an economy which in fact is better.
Thus far all GOP NASCAR logic has led to declining polls.
In fact the President even leads among NASCAR fans.
— Cuddles - Polls are meaningless. His approval rating is below 50% and no president in history has ever been reelected with a rating that low. So Cuddles, grow up and drop the leftist name calling rants (which is what you do best because you have nothing else to go on).
- The Wisconsin GM plant that Paul Ryan spoke of at the RNC.
Republicans are becoming known to be outright liars. Not only that but they promote a denial that led Todd Akin to blame women for rape and literally throw away a chance to take the Senate. It is a denial that now threatens the GOP's hold on the House.
Beyond polling and gloating, this election is over. A bigger question is will America return to it's socialist path that gave US Social Security.
The current parameter and/or test of that socialist (strong Franklin Roosevelt government) path is ObamaCare. In 2010 the American Woman was confused by "GRANDMOM'S DEATH PANELS" (another lie). Now she slowly realizes that her 26 year old daughter is now insured and that 2010 was a lie.
Roosevelt: 1933 - 1963
Reagan: 1981 - 2011
2012
Government = Business ?
Yes, Democrats believe in Nation Building...This is no lie.
Seems pretty clear to me....and a growing number of women.
PS: I don't believe in "LOL" politics.
— Cuddles - Obama will be the only President in this country's history to never pass 1 budget. This clown is so incompetent even his own progressive liberals wouldn't ok the slop he tried to pass off as a budget. He has done nothing but pander to minority groups and promise them gifts for votes. EVERYTHING HE PROMISED IN HIS CAMPAIGN WAS A LIE! Gitmo? Ending the wars within a few months (he ordered a surge in Afghanistan). Improving the economy (I guess those shovel ready jobs were not as shovel ready as I thought -- his words)? Protecting the middle class (his Obama care costs will fall right into our lap -- not the rich)? Investment in green/renewable energy (My favorite -- Jeff from GE took billions from the G and a tax exemption in 2010 and promptly shipped a large portion of his renewable energy jobs to China!!! You didn't hear about that one from the MSNBC pulpit did you?)? Oh! And he didn't kill Usama. JSOC and the CIA killed Usama.
The economy collapsed because of the past 5 Presidents and their efforts to deregulate the banks to create the housing boom. Check the facts. The biggest bank deregulator over the past 3 decades was your homeboy Clinton.
But as long as Sandra gets her birth control...— Lttim76(2) - If (IF), if all that you say is true, will
Romney be a solution?
Seems pretty clear to me...and a growing number of women.
PS: Democrats actually do believe in nation building.— Cuddles - Of the many 40 plus year old women I know in the Philadelphia suburbs,all, except the public school teachers,are voting Romney or straight Republican.
They are scared to death about their and their families current or coming unemployment, the shuttered stores and the attacks on religion and the family by Obama and the Democrats, especially what they are doing to obliterate the Catholic Church and their good charities and facilities.They see largely failure and few successes wherever they look and have no confidence in the current White House.
They say that the younger women are incredibly naive to fall for the Happy Dust and "patience".— penllynjohn
John is the author of the book "On The Front Lines of Pennsylvania Politics: Twenty-Five Years of Keystone Reporting" (The History Press, 2012). Reach John at baerj@phillynews.com.
