The Battle Over Women Voters
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-03-12/battle-over-women-voters
Women cast nearly ten million more votes than men in the last presidential race. Their traditional preference for Democrats helped put President Obama in the White House. but the female vote swung to the GOP in 2010, giving Republicans congrol of the House. Now there are signs of another shift. Recent polls show Republicans have been hurt by the current focus on contraception, abortion and women’s health issues. This week the President’s re-election campaign plans to launch an intensified effort to mobilize female voters. Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post, Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women and Phyllis Schlafly, founder and president of the eagle forum, join Diane to discuss the battle for and about women.
Guests
Terry O'Neill
president, National Organization for Women.
Phyllis Schlafly
founder and president, Eagle Forum
Karen Tumulty
national political reporter, The Washington Post.
Comments
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You cannot say,with honesty, that far greater sex education & access to birth control results in fewer pregnancies AND that, today, 1 in 3 women have an abortion. If pills & condoms on the counter top in every neighborhood truly solved "the problem" then that number would be far far lower. It's one or the other: either your way of reducing pregnancies works & you have the quantifiable results OR it doesn't and perhaps it's not the social conservatives who are the ones who are absurd.
Wow - blaming the media for their shortcomings - how very republican of Ms.
Schlaffley.
With you 100% Sharah...
I am Catholic, went to Catholic schools, worked, used birth control, married, had kids and currently is a stay-at-home Mom. I am a feminist that believes that ALL people must be treated fairly and that it is my right to self-direct what is good for me in my life. I am dismayed that these issues related to women overshadow issues of the economy, job creation and the environment. I thought my rights as a women to self-govern were already secured. Currently, what is good for me is for me to stay home as my teenagers navigate hormones, peer pressure and a changing brain from child to adulthood in a way successful for them and our community. I teach my children about the benefits and consequences of these values but now cannot support religious rights over my right to self-determination. I am a women first.
I understand that Diane is very intentional about facilitating a civil conversation among supporters of varying viewpoints, but I do not understand why her staff got someone as passe and irrelevant as Phyllis Schlafly on this show. (Unless that's the point--to let Schlafly further reveal herself to inconsequential; yet, again, why devote airtime when she's not been a player for decades?)
I am also disappointed that Diane seems reticent to hold Schlafly to the same standard of reasonable discourse that she, Diane, usually advances.
Apologies, but imho, Diane and the members of this panel aren't media experts, even though by this point in their notable careers they should be.
The Rush guy said what he said, the way he said it, specifically to receive the billions of dollars of free advertising all the media outlets, including this show, are now handing him on a silver platter.
You claim to be outraged by the Rush guy's behavior, but are in fact rewarding that behavior by giving the Rush guy exactly what he wants.
Thus, you should expect to see lots more of that kind of talk from the Rush guy and others who are attempting to imitate his business model.
I find this show to be highly interesting and informative on many topics, but when it comes to most media issues, your bias prevents you from seeing the simplest things.
Who is the real problem here? The Rush guy, or all those who fuel his career with free advertising?
I agree I think the real issue is cost.
Are male forms of birth control covered? And what are thoughts about coverage for the use of Viagra?
@karenstl - my thoughts exactly. Plus, I'm disappointed that Diane hasn't called her on some of her more egregious statements - like the one about how feminists have made it so hard for a man to support a family on one salary. And no one challenged her! I expect better from the Diane Rehm show. If you let guests get away with such over the top BS, I just can't listen to the show.
Diane,
I am disappointed that none of the panel corrected Mrs. Schafly's throw-away line about Elizabeth Warren not being confirmed by a Democratic Senate. While literally true, that is a standard misleading comment from her Republican opposition. The Republicans blocked her coming up for a vote - one more filibuster. Such misrepresentations need to be called out, or they will be accepted by too many people. It is dishonest to make such an argument when she knows it is misleading.
Arnold
A business is not a moral being. A business should not have the power to make moral judgements about the employees that make the business successful. One person's views on birth control should never be pushed upon all of the women in their employ. These women are not the business' property.
Was it radio interference, or did Schlafly actually just say Obama is trying to increase his constituency by increasing the numbers depending on welfare?
This is the 21st century... most women I know would find this insulting.
I would like to request that the correct appelation for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and not the politicized version of "Obama Care" be used when referring to the current healthcare reform initiative.
Phyllis is one of the most offensive women I have ever listened to on NPR in my entire life and everything coming out of her mouth is completely ludicrous! I am a feminist, but I am also a stay at home married mother of 3. I do am not waging a war on homemakers. How ridiculous! It is also offensive for her to say that just because someone is a single mother, she has no one to depend on and is therefore dependent on welfare. I know several single mothers who are the hardest working women I know. Does she have the same standard for men? I also know single fathers who work very hard to support their children. Also, I love the hypocrisy of the whole contraception debate. She is slamming single mothers at the sane time she wants to limit women's access to birth control.
As a fellow St. Louisan, I TOTALLY agree with you! She is offensive and doesn't represent the women of our region.
I applaud Ms. Schlafly's focus on the issue of people being forced to pay for things they don't believe in. Many people do not approve of abortion, but many people don't approve in war either. Does she think that the military be defunded?
Transvaginal sonograms have nothing to do with "full disclosure," it has everything to do with Republicans legalizing rape.
mjanack is right on the mark. Ms. Schlaffly engages in the empty rhetoric of "feminist", "big brother governmennt" and such that resonates only with those of her antiquated world view in this country. Ms. Schlaffly, how can you decry big brother government when you´d invade the bedrooms of anybody who doesn´t comply with your narrow, inflexible version of correct relationships?
And would you please define for listeners what you mean by "feminism"? You use it as an insult and I can`t figure out what you mean?
The liberal media created the issue of reproductive and marriage discrimination? Wow, that´s a talking point that has no basis in fact. Nice try, Ms. Schaffly.
BTW, if the law is going to let employer´s insurers refuse to provide coverage of things they morally oppose, why not let employers prohibit smokers, vegetarians, single moms or even straight men from getting insurance if they morally oppose any of these ways of living?
I feel embarrassed there are such self depriving women in our country such as Phyllis. As a working, married woman I am a FULL supporter of Democrats and feel so very sorry for the selfishness in Republicans lives. We as women should be viewed as an equal to men and I do not understand why this has become a topic of discussion.....in 2012!!! I am the bread winner of our home and I still get paid less on each dollar I work for due to narrow minded old white men sitting pretty in DC. Here is a REAL issue we should be discussing. Majority of Americans are not making enough money, with good jobs to pay for all the bull***t the government and insurance companies demand of everyday citizens. I wish more education and knowledge would be embodied by women like Phyllis; a true embarrassment to the future of women. Hopefully this country will begin to evolve to the glorious country we call ourselves, because we have much large issues to discuss other than birth control!!
I find the whole issue of people being required to pay for things they do not believe in completely and utterly ridiculous. I think the majority of the taxes I contribute go to pay for things I personally feel range from unwise to morally indefensible. THAT IS TRUE FOR EVERYONE. It is not a rationale for not paying taxes. MY TAXES go to support all these religious organizations -- because they are tax-exempt -- which are actively trying to undermine my personal liberties.
Where does vasectomy/tubal ligation fit into the discussion?
Birth control is a financial bonus. If people argue that sex is by choice, and contraception shouldn't be covered, remove insurance coverage for medications that deal with high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol since these could be largely addressed by diet and exercise. Go the next step and create a "sin tax" equivalent to that on tobacco for every supersized fast food meal.
Ms. Schlafly I pay taxes for many things I find repulsive and go against my Catholic Faith.
Thank you for your time
Wow - now she's blaming the caller - PLEASE - we can all see right through Ms. Schaffley's rhetoric!
Phyllis Schlafly is a joke
I totally agree! she's crossing the line of civility in her discourse.
So much hate for the left why?
What does Ms. Phyllis Schlafly have to say about Indiana's law that A Dr. must read a statement to a woman prior to doing an abortion? The legislature stripped from the bill an amendment that that statement must be factual.
Schlafly keeps wasting out time with her canned responses and blaming the media.
I'm used to thoughtful conversations on Diane's show, but Schlafly is not contributing anything new in the least...
As far as religious liberty...For the person who called regarding religious groups being allowed to not provide medical services against their religious beliefs, I disagree with you when they accept ANY federal or state dollars. Do you believe that a Catholic hospital could keep a person alive who is brain dead? Do you believe that an person with a living will who does not want extraordinary measures to be forced to be undergo extreme measures because it's against their beliefs? Do you believe that a religious run hospital should deny an abortion to pregnant woman whose life is in danger because it is against their beliefs? It's conceivable that a person with cancer would be forced to undergo treatment because they would perceive it as suicidal.
As long as a religious organization accepts taxpayer dollars, they need to abide by the law. If they don't want to follow secular law, don't accept taxpayer money.
Every time Phyllis Schlafly opens her mouth, she takes us on a dark journey into another century's mores and values. She is Rush Limbaugh with a vagina. But kudos to you, Diane for including that rusty old voice in this discussion. It gives contrast to an otherwise intelligent panel. Good show.