News Archive

Women Voters And Presidential Politics

In one of the most diverse presidential primaries in recent history, political pundits are working overtime trying to predict the female vote in the runup to Super Tuesday.

Democratic and Republican women alike are supporting a variety of candidates and focusing on issues as far-ranging as gender in politics, abortion, the economy and the war in Iraq.

Women Democrats are torn between following the lead of the state's own Sen. Claire McCaskill and supporting Sen. Barack Obama, or getting behind the highly endorsed female candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton, said Jeanne Kirkton of the Jefferson Township Democratic Club.

"It's an interesting stew; we're all over the place," she said. "I think there are a lot of women out there who feel the pangs between Obama's charisma and his message of hope and change, and having a very competent woman to choose from.

"This is an historic event," she added. "We've certainly had women run for president before, but this is so close you can taste it. There's some feeling in the area that a woman is ready to do it, and we should be behind her."

Kirkton said she and many others in her party are still on the fence. Prior to John Edwards' withdrawal on Wednesday, many still saw him as a potential Democratic candidate, she said.

"I'm trying to look at it by drawing that proverbial line down the middle of the paper," said Kirkton. "The pros of this one, and the pros of that one."

The Missouri Women's Coalition announced its support of Sen. Clinton last Friday. Other area women's groups supporting Clinton include the Missouri Chapter of the National Organization for Women and the National Women's Political Caucus of Metro St. Louis.

Obama recently got a major boost winning endorsements from two members of the Kennedy family, Sen. Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former president John F. Kennedy.

Gender may not be a hot button issue for GOP women, said former state Sen. Anita Yeckel, but issues like the economy, taxes and the safety of children and families are forefront in their minds.

"All of us understand that this is an important election, and all of us understand that the country is in trouble," she said. "It's interesting. I've never quite seen an election like this."

Republicans, for the most part, will vote the party line, said Yeckel, who claimed that Democratic contenders, female or otherwise, will hold no appeal.

"You may have people switching for Joe Lieberman, though," she said.

Many Republicans were disappointed when Fred Thompson dropped out of the race, and now have to seek out another candidate, said Yeckel.

"John McCain is big in Missouri," she said. "I was amazed at how popular he was. Mitt Romney I think is very popular. Gov. Blunt has been advocating for Gov. Romney for the past two years.

"You might have an edge for Mike Huckabee with women who are pro-life," she added. "He very definitely is the kind of charismatic or evangelical candidate in that group. If you're that kind of woman – and we have a lot of women in the Republican party like that – then definitely Huckabee."