Kerry’s Once Sizeable Lead with Women Voters Slips

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The Democrats have taken the ‘gender gap’ advantage for granted in the last few elections, but Kerry’s lead among female voters is fading. Speculation is that women have been put off as Kerry has tried to project strength on foreign policy. He has squandered a natural advantage on such issues as abortion rights and benefits parity by softpedaling.

‘Many women’s rights activists express astonishment that Kerry has not sought to capitalize on his longtime support for abortion rights or assailed the Bush administration’s policies on women’s issues, including a ban on U.S. aid to international family planning organizations that discuss abortion.

“The fact is that George Bush is the commander in chief of a war on choice,” said Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Kerry needs to smoke Bush out and he also needs to advance his own agenda.” ‘

Kerry may feel he has more to lose with swing voters than he has to gain with women by advertising his stand on abortion. His largely male group of advisors has prevented him from taking a more vocal position, apparently feeling the women’s vote was a given. (LA Times)