Angry White Women Revisited

Immediately after John McCain announced that Sarah Palin was his choice for vice president, the media breathlessly reported Palin's ability to bring in the women's vote. Indeed, Palin herself asserted that she could attract some of those 18 million Hillary Clinton supporters because, presumably, women voters like to vote for women candidates. This often made proposition is demonstrably false and was so from the beginning. As polls after the Republican convention showed, partisanship is a much bigger determinant of how voters feel about Palin than gender and because men tend to identify with the Republican Party more than the Democratic Party, Palin actually has higher ratings among men than she does among women.

What about the white women's vote, a group that the media reported shifted to McCain/Palin in large numbers? In reality, there was much larger movement among white men than among white women. As we found in our battleground research for Democracy Corps, after the Democratic convention, 48 percent of white men supported McCain, a number that increased to 58 percent after the Republican convention. In contrast, the movement among white women was more muted. Just after the Democratic convention, white women supported Obama by 3 points, 48 to 45 percent. Those numbers flipped to 46 to 50 percent in McCain's favor after the Republican convention. Moreover, there is convincing evidence that Democratic voters who supported Hillary Clinton in the primaries moved to a place of even greater support to Barack Obama. The CBS News poll showed 63 percent of Hillary supporters would vote for Obama prior to the Republican convention; afterwards this number was 74 percent. In our Democracy Corps research, 83 percent of Clinton primary supporters now cast their vote for Obama.

No doubt, Obama needs to perform more strongly with women voters to win this election. In the battleground, he currently wins women voters by 5 points; Kerry only won women by 3 points, while Clinton won women by 7 points in 1992. But as we found in our research for Women's Voices. Women's Vote, women voters still have many questions about Sarah Palin, including what are she and John McCain going to make their lives better in anxious economic times. They think highly of her commitment to family, but want to know if this makes her able to understand their daily struggles to make ends meet and their future more secure. Many women voters find much to admire about Palin, but that does not mean they will vote for her without knowing what it would mean to their lives.

Comments

[stopmakingmecrazy]

It is less about liking or agreeing with Sarah Palin. Rather, it is much more about sending a clear message once and for all that the woman vote matters. Women are mad that the Obama team openly dismissed the importance of the woman vote and McCain wisely pounced on the opportunity. I am not a Palin/McCain supporter but I am grateful to McCain because the woman vote will no longer be taken for granted. If this is what it took then so be it. I think the Obama camp is slowly but surely starting to get the message. Mark my word, next time around both parties will elevate the importance of treating the woman vote as more important. It is a slow and painful process but in the end it is worth it b/c women are worth it. No party owns the woman vote and both parties need to work to get our vote. May the best party win.

[Wicki10023]

I know I am isolated in my New York circle, where every woman I know feels outrage...­OUTRAGE...­at McCain's sexist, cynical, and dangerous choice (I haven't seen this kind of anger among women since Anita Hill). My 83 year old REPUBLICAN mother in suburban Illinois thinks McCain has lost his mind. Among other adjectives for Palin, such as "scary", I found my mom's use of "icky" just about sums it up. I was a fervent Hillary supporter, and have no problem voting for Obama. He won fair and square and to mope about it or open the door for the entire country--and women especially--to suffer just because my candidate didn't win would be the height of immaturity. To give in to emotionalism by not voting when this election is crucial to women's rights and the fate of our country --and world--would be a supreme act of selfishness. The choice of Palin energized me like nothing else. The night she spoke at the convention, I contributed money to Obama's campaign (a first for me)--and have contributed twice since. If women are not scared enough by her ignorance of foreign affairs and the economy and her ability to lie at will, the facts about Palin being anti-choice even in cases of rape and incest and health of the mother (a fact that appalls even most conservative women), and a proponent of creationism must be widely disseminated and pounded home again and again.

[Hufferton]

Very well stated.

[Mdazes]

The day after Obama won the nomination he should have came out strong the next day for the females vote, not wait for Hillary. McCain was on the ladies trail like a Hound dog. Obama should have been singing I ain't too proud to beg. I support Obama but sometime he leave me scratching my head. He gave MCCain a clear path to the female vote. He should have had ads out talking about McCain voting records on women issues.

[benetsky]

And, speaking of women, WHERE IS CAROLINE KENNEDY? She did go to great lengths to make sure that Obama beat Clinton in the primary election -- so much so, you'd think she'd be a major presence on the trail this fall. She'd probably have a lot of sway with those white women that Obama so desperately needs to win. So, I'll ask it again, WHERE IS CAROLINE KENNEDY?

[lansha1]

I truly do not understand some of Hillary's supporters. Why did they support Hillary in the first place? It can't be based on issues. Why would any Hillary supporter jump from Hillary to Palin? And if they don't support Palin, why would they risk putting Palin in the White House by writing in Hillary's name? Truly supporting a candidate means that you not only believe in them, but you believing in everything that they have fought for and everything they continue to fight for. It means that you put a president in the White House that is in line with what your candidate believes in. Some of my friends that supported Hillary was deeply hurt when she lost, but they realize a greater goal than Hillary as President. The greater goal is to show the Bush Administration that we as a people will not stand by watch our country be destroyed by the Republican party.
I just want some Hillary supporters to explain to me what their intention was in supporting Hillary. Was it just to put a woman in the White House? Was it just because you liked Hillary? Was it because you couldn't see yourself voting for a Black man? I really want to understand. Because for me, whether the nominee was Hillary or Obama I want this country to show the republican party that they cannot get away with destroying this country and our standing in the world.

[Hufferton]

Sarah Palin’s Faith

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5800979

ABC News Video regarding Palin’s Pentecostal religious roots.

1) The Bible is the literal word of God.
2) Speaking in tongues to communicate in the heavenly language to tap into God’s heart.
3) *Believe* that the End Times are near.
4) The Holy Spirit can give you gifts like Divine Healing

Ms. Palin, A Pentecostal woman, believes God is calling her to duty as VP over and above her call to her family. A normal Evangelical woman would most likely think of family first and the aspect of submission.

You may have to use Search at the bottom right of the screen for *Sarah Palin* to find this new Sept. 15 video called “Sarah Palin’s Faith.”

[Lan2]

Perhaps you can characterize the millions of Hillary supporters as "angry white women," but I suspect the angry black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian American, (etc) women who voted for Hillary Clinton may resent being lumped into one group. We are not rabid Hillary supporters, but rather women who watched an eminently qualified woman suffer sexist/misognyistic treatment at the hands of the media getting little or no support from her party.

I doubt any of us could vote for Sarah Palin, but the media (and bloggers) continual dismissal of us, or worse, repudiation of us, could well back fire. What we wanted was a fair deal; what we will settle for is acknowledgment our legitimate complaints. To do otherwise foolishly risks alienating voters who already feel alienated.

[Waitaminute]

Tell me again what exactly did Obama do to Hillary that was sexist? Please... Please give sexist statement and time.

[Lan2]

Notice I said "media," not Obama. For examples of that, just look to Maureen Dowd, Frank Rich, Tucker Carlson, Chris Mathews, etc.

[AMindOfMyOwn]

Okay, Let's examine this, the party of so called "family values" , condones, cheers even encourages their candidates when they lie, deceive, exaggerate issues they know are not true. Are their own children proud as peacocks of their strategy to win at all cost even at the expense of dignity, honor and go against their own christian values, bearing false witness against thy neighbor. Now I admit, the dems to some extent do this, but this year omg, the republicans have created a whole new definition for classless. Along the lines of values voters, I am still seathing over the Value Voter Summit at which the "Obama Waffle" vendor was allowed to set up shop with this disgusting display of selling their wares, This really did put an explanation point on their meaning of Values, to white, wealthy and hateful, spiteful so called Christian nation. I am white, 60, small town upper midwest working hard class female, and Would Not, Could Not Vote for McPalin under any circumstances for the content stated above, and I am insulted when some say "She speaks to Me" Hmmmmm doesn't say much about you if she does.

[Waitaminute]

Are you an angry women. Try being an angry 60 yearold black man from mississippi.

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

Please read the blog:

Women Against Sarah Palin

I felt a little bit better knowing how these smart, educated , and determined women are feeling and what they are doing about it!

sorry, I don't know how to do the link thing yet!

[jeanrenoir]

According to the polls, you're being way too complimentary to the intelligence of angry white women. All they seem to care about is a woman who expresses their anger in the form of sassy sarcasm. Apparently, lots of these angry white women are too economically stupid to realize that a vote for Palin is yet another vote for a White House which will screw them over as usual when they vote Republican. It would be nice to think that white women are smarter than this, but their rush to Palin in the polls says otherwise. Apparently, they'll vote for anything angry in a skirt; her actual policy positions are irrelevant.

[cadbury]

"Apparently, lots of these angry white women are too economically stupid to realize that a vote for Palin is yet another vote for a White House which will screw them over as usual when they vote Republican."

Which is to say that they are as "stupid" as the white guys who have been supporting McCain over Obama since the beginning? Please be a little more circumspect with your language.

[politicky]

Polls schmolls. Who pays for the polls? Who's home to be be polled? Who's got land lines? Who interprets the polls?

[whatchamean]

I think there is a story here that is not being told and that is women do not like Sarah Palin. I live in very conservative Orange county, not a hot bed of liberal activism for sure, and I have never seen women so agitated by a candidate. I have talked with about 60 women on the topic of Ms. Palin and can't find one who thinks she should be on the ticket. Many use the word "scary" or "terrifying" in their description. As a man, I find this interesting to see the emotions she is bringing about in women who are for the most part poltically agnostic.

[shothot]

those O.C. women are educated with college degrees. they're not pistol packing, moose hunting momas. Glad to see they're thinking with their heads and not letting their emotions rule. Unlike many angry Hillary supporters who don't realize how insignificant Hillary and Obama are, It's the future of the world that counts.

[boing007]

whatchamean

I think there is a story here that is not being told and that is women do not like Sarah Palin. I live in very conservative Orange county, not a hot bed of liberal activism for sure, and I have never seen women so agitated by a candidate. I have talked with about 60 women on the topic of Ms. Palin and can't find one who thinks she should be on the ticket. Many use the word "scary" or "terrifying" in their description. As a man, I find this interesting to see the emotions she is bringing about in women who are for the most part poltically agnostic.

Well, that's good to hear. Maybe the demographics are slowly changing in the OC. At last!

[newsviews]

I'm a white woman, and I am very angry. I'm angry that the most qualified candidate (Hillary Clinton) was sandbagged by the Democratic primaries and caucuses and superdelegates that cost her the nomination. I'm angry, but not supid. Sarah Palin could not be more opposite than Hillary Clilnton if she were a mouthpiece of the current Republican administration. (Oh, wait, that's exactly what she is!) John McCain thinks we women will vote for Sarah Palin because she is a woman? How condescending and insulting!. Our only choice, as women, should be Obama/Biden in 2008. The future will tell how they perform and they should be given a chance to prove to women that they will come through for the entire counry, not only women. The Republicans have proven that they are beyond incompetent, bordering on the criminal. Even John McCain is trying to distance himself from his past and his President. What does that tell us?

[nomobull]

SHE SANDBAGGED HERSELF OTHER THAN THAT I SEE YOUR POINT.

[MossyOak]

I am a woman and was pro-Clinton until she sandbagged herself. She made grievous errors in judgment and policy. She supported the war. She fought a hard campaign and lost because Obama would be a much better president. Any other explanation is a waste of words.

[THISTLE]

I was amazed to learn that something like, 59% of women did not know Palin was NOT -
pro-choice. More than that did not know Palin would like "creationism" taught in schools.
Pain is the antithesis of everything Hillary Clinton stands for and has fought for, her
entire life. McCain's record on women's issues is totally anti-women. And his campaign
manager proudly touts, "this election is not about issues." How terrifying is that - 3 Supreme
Court Justices will be retiring in the next year or so - and McCain/Palin - will select them.
The economy is in free-fall, wars raging, 49 million people without healthcare, tuition costs
soaring, unemployment soaring, and McCain is now leading - how in the world can that
be possible? This campaign has been packaged as a "Reality Show," - what a tragic commentary
that is for this country. If McCain actually pulls this off, we will get exactly what we deserve, for
not demanding more - and especially demanding more from a MEDIA - who has become nothing
more than flacks and stenographers - with all due respect to the latter...

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

I agree!

I think alot of the posters saying "cutsie" things like "I think S---- P---- represents me....." etc. or "I'm going to write in Hill's name in", are jiust paid rethug trolls!

If so Y'All on the wrong site! Cause you know, Barak Obama's got the smarts that remedial Mccain , and his low scholastic ranking, just does not!

I highly reccomend talking more about Mccain than SP because that's one way we can bring the issues we really need discussing as well as holding EVERY LIE slandering Obama accountable!

God bless us all! I HAVE A DREAM!! And that is to respect my country and give Americans and the world a reason to HOPE again!

[iluvsam]

I disagree. I have no idea what women see in this person at all. I find the fact that ANY woman is supporting her to be absolutely astounding. It is anti-woman to have rape victims pay for their own rape kits, to laugh when a disk jockey called her political rival "fat" and the "b" word, and to shoot other living beings in the head and enjoy it. I used to think we women were smart, but when I hear that women are voting for McCain because they like her "eyeglasses" or that she's "cute", all I can think of is we still relegate ourselves to female stereotypes, ie,. stupid and shallow. It's pathetic.