From Doyle McManus in the LA Times:
Democratic campaign rhetoric this year bristles with female-friendly ideas. The party hasn’t merely reprised its long-standing endorsement of abortion rights; it’s also calling for pay equity for women, stronger protections for pregnant women in the workforce, broader paid sick leave and family leave measures, and universal early childhood education. Are any of those ideas likely to move forward in a bitterly divided Congress that’s already turned from legislating to electioneering? Not a chance. But passing new laws isn’t the point. The point is to send a message to female voters — especially unmarried women and working mothers — that the Democrats are on their side… ‘Women will determine the Senate,’ Democratic pollster Celinda Lake told me.
Celinda Lake is U.S. Sen. Mark Begich’s pollster.
Assuming this is correct, this may take the “red” state disadvantage that Begich is facing away and even the playing field for him. All of the Republican senatorial candiidates in Alaska are pro-life and appear to be embracing the many anti-woman stands that their party supports.
And we’ll vote. And we’ll remember. And we’ll make a difference.