At their worst, Republican men sound “mean” to women, which is why only 47% of white women voted for Trump in 2020 (source: Edison Research). Biden got 55% of all female votes, mostly because he was a “vote against” racism and sexism. Trump’s affairs (e.g. Stormy Daniels) and insults (e.g. Carly Fiorina) most hurt the GOP with female independent voters, resulting in Democrats winning the House and Senate, on top of the presidency.
Not to be obscured by that trifecta is Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and E-PAC, which got 18 GOP women elected to the House, growing their ranks from 13 to a record 31. This is why Stefanik is now chair of the Republican Caucus (she’s endorsed 8 women and named 12 “women to watch” already for 2022). Add E-PAC to Women for Youngkin, which just restored Republican control in Virginia, and 2022 sure looks like the year of The Republican Woman.
Stefanik replaced Liz Cheney as caucus chair because she’s a young mom and good at getting Republicans elected. Old School Cheney focused on (daddy) defense issues and fighting with Trump. New School Stefanik focused on (mom) family issues and not fighting with Trump. Now that Biden’s flopped, the GOP should focus on women. A NRSC (GOP) poll shows “suburban voters have buyer’s remorse, realizing that President Biden is not the moderate they thought he was.”
Governor-elect Youngkin’s victory happened because the suburbs (53% to 47%) and white women (57% to 43%) returned to the GOP. Last year in Virginia, Biden won the suburbs (53% to 45%) and white women (50% to 49%). By focusing on three Mama Issues – high prices (end state’s grocery tax), education (fund school choice), and crime (more police) – Youngkin cut across identity to win. Honestly, nobody opposes lower prices, smarter kids and safer streets, do they?
The Hill recently reported the GOP was “looking to make further gains with female voters, particularly in the suburbs, after a strong showing in Virginia suggested they had made inroads with the group.” Stefanik echoed Youngkin’s campaign themes at last week’s E-PAC news conference: women “are concerned about inflation [and] their kid’s education.” The GOP would be wise to send women candidates and those “kitchen table” talking points into battle against vulnerable Democrats in 2022.
Right now, Nikki Haley tops the list of sought after GOP stars to help turn out the vote in the mid-terms. To be sure, liberal media persists with the Trump Restoration narrative (and he loves it), but swing-district candidates are the key to ending the Biden-Pelosi-Schumer insanity. RNC chair Ronna McDaniel is a young mother herself, so the smart money says – – – YOU GO, GIRLS!
