Newsweek’s article “From Seneca Falls to…Sarah Palin?” discusses the history of women in political elections, from candidates to voters. It claims that women are strong supporters of the “Franklin Doctrine,” crying out for a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Women are tired of being placed into one category, which is what the media has often done in their analysis of the potential voting woman. However, little distinction was made between the voting pattern of men and women until Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980. In that year, “59.4 percent of eligible women cast a ballot for president, compared with 59.1 percent of men, a gap that has increased ever since,” Newsweek stated. Today, there are about 9 million more women voting in the presidential election than men.
So what is it that these women want in a candidate? First, they want someone who will renew the economy, and secondly they want someone to bring their children home from the war. Other top issues include healthcare and primary education. Women primarily vote Democrat, while men tend to vote Republican.
In the current bid for the presidency, the “woman” vote is crucial. Both the Obama and McCain camp have been making a concentrated effort to woo this section of voters. With appearances on Rachel Ray and “The View,” McCain has attempted to soften his image. Also, Palin has proved to be an incredible asset to the Republican Party. According to Newsweek, “’Whenever voters are eager for change, women candidates fare well.’”