Angry White Women

Since it became clear that Hillary Clinton would likely bow out of the race for the Democratic nomination for president, the dominant narrative has been the angry white women who are holding back from Barack Obama. Some even suggest that John McCain can make a major play for these disaffected Clinton supporters. The problem with this narrative is that it is mostly wrong, ignoring history and failing to understand Obama's real challenge among women voters.

No doubt, there are some Clinton supporters who currently find it difficult to contemplate supporting Obama, but most of these women are highly engaged, progressive Democratic voters; it is difficult to imagine them ultimately supporting McCain, who has a career-long, anti-woman record.

In fact, Obama is actually doing better than John Kerry with women voters; Kerry won them by 3 points, and according to polling from Democracy Corps research, Obama is currently winning them by 6 points. Obama's improvement over Kerry comes among college educated and younger women -- the most progressive voters in the electorate.

Obama's real struggle is with white blue collar women voters -- the same group that challenged Kerry. Currently, Obama trails McCain among white women without a college education by 19 points, 37 to 56 percent; according to Democracy Corps, Kerry lost these women by the exact same margin, 40 to 59 percent. Some argue that Clinton solved this problem because of her performance with white older women in the Democratic Party. But not only is it a mistake to extrapolate from primary results to the general election, Clinton would also likely lose to McCain among white women without a college education, albeit by a smaller margin.

The key to reaching these women voters is two-fold. First, Obama needs to communicate with them about who he is, including his values and his life story. He and his family actually have more in common with these women than they know. Second, he needs to address their real economic anxieties. As I noted in the American Prospect in 2004, Kerry actually led George Bush with older white women when his campaign was talking about healthcare, retirement and other domestic economic issues. But when he allowed the issue terrain to shift to Iraq and security at the expense of his economic message, he lost ground.

The economic situation is even more tenuous for these women today, with rising gas prices exacerbating their financial squeeze. John McCain has a history of opposing the very policies that would help these women -- including opposing pay equity and raising the minimum wage -- and supporting policies that are unlikely to appeal to these voters such as tax cuts for the wealthy and privatization schemes for health care and Social Security.

McCain is not going to win over women who supported Clinton in the primary and Obama can certainly improve his chances of beating McCain in the general election if he makes inroads among non-college educated white women voters. He can do so by offering a personal narrative that reflects shared values and a family background that's far from the elitist he is alleged to be, and delivering an economic message that highlights specific proposals designed to help ease the daily financial pressures of white working class women.

Comments

[Americanium]

The key to reaching these women voters is two-fold. First, Obama needs to communicate with them about who he is, including his values and his life story. He and his family actually have more in common with these women than they know. Second, he needs to address their real economic anxieties........

Really??? Obama does not need to do nothing special for these voters. If after 17 months he still needs to reach out to them , then he might as well cut his losses and move right along. This train has left the station and it will not be coming back.

Obama will win with or without their support. For too long these insecure women who wet themselves whenever they hear the word terrorist have influenced elections. They are the ones responsible for Bush and this disastrous economy.

Had the pioneering women of the 18th century been as fickle and cowardly as they are America would be a backward third world nation today.

No Obama does not need to reach out to them. Let them hide under their beds at sound of the word terrorist. The real women of this country will stand up one way or another. They need no placating or pandering because they know and understands the stakes.

[Turtleluv6]

I don't think Obama should have to account for anyone's ignorance. He just needs to continue what he's been doing. White women aren't the only one's that exist. But of those that are mad aren't so much because of Hillary losing it is because they are racial against blacks. And I have black friends don't mean you aren't racial against blacks. People need to get their rabbit ass minds together and do what's best for this country and their children if they are fortunate to have them. People need to be responsible for their own actions.

[feo]

Many are making this too complicated: there is a word for Democrats would even consider voting for any Republican. That word is STUPID.

[Turtleluv6]

Exactly.

[elizaW]

Obama's got a big problem with middle class women too. Take a trip around other blogs. His economic policy is not going over very well and his charisma is wearing thin.

[NorVaGal]

I'm a 56 year old middle class woman. I am intelligent enough to have researched the policy proposals and past voting records of ALL of the candidates running this year. I don't appreciate candidates like McCain who think we are stupid enough to fall for his fake sympathy act to get Dem votes this year. He is anathema to EVERYTHING Dems have worked for for decades. Anyone who would vote for him is not a true Dem and never would have voted for a Dem candidate anyway, regardless of whoever eventually was our nominee.

Obama's economic policy is vastly superior to McCain's, who, as always with Repubs, cares only for the interests of the wealthies of Americans. You insult us with your deceptive post. (BTW, at least Obama has some charisma TO wear thin. Certainly can't say the same for McCain.)

[takeamericanback08]

When adults began acting like children they should be ignored. Who cares that they are upset because Hillary lost the nomination. I'd hope they go volunteer for McBush. Why don't they go over to Iraq and walk around and see how well the surge is working in support of McBush.

[DofG]

It's hard to understand this infinite mantra that Obama needs to let this group, or that group get to know him. He's been running for over a year. His political positions are on his website. He's running against George Bush's third term. What else should he do? This is all some trumped up "369" to assuage these particular people's allergic reaction to having to vote for an "alien", in the absence of that "special someone else".
Whenever there's a "first", he must be the "Jackie Robinson" of his field. He has to be incomparably gifted. Take unending insults with a smile, salute the flag, with his hand over his heart, with a flag pin visible in all directions, while singing the national athem on all fours! Then maybe, just maybe he'll get a "That's a good boy"! It's the tragic character portrayed by Oprah Winfrey in the "Color Purple".
It's not even considered wrong. Because it's just the way things are!

[army193]

To the white blue collar women voters: Is your life better off with the Republicans in office? Have you or your freinds lost a son or daughter in Iraq? What about the Supreme Court? Is your Childrens Health Care and yours better today?

[SiberianRat]

Exactly. One would hope that women wouldn't send themselves, their children, and the country down the river just because a female candidate ran and didn't secure the nomination. The phrase "you reap what you sow" comes to mind, and sowing the seeds of another Bush-like presidency will yield a vile "crop" for sure for these women and the rest of us.

[KISSman]

It's true that there will be a select few angry white women who will go and support McCain, but it won't be very many. The angriest are usually the loudest so they are the ones posting on blogs, writing letters to newspapers, etc., but they end up sounding like a bigger group than they actually are.

It simply doesn't make any sense for a woman who votes Democrat and believes in the issues that Hillary Clinton championed to vote for John McCain. None. And because of that, you won't find too many that will do so when push comes to shove.

Back in '04, I was a Dean supporter and if you asked me at this point what would I do, I would have told you that I wasn't going to vote. But in the end, you wake up to the reality of the situation and know that if you live in a state where you vote is going to matter, you cannot afford to let the Bushes and McCains erode our country for another 4-years.

Obama shouldn't just expect for all the angry white women to come home without effort, but the media is irresponsible when they act as if Obama is going to have a big problem with this group come November.

[wutzhappn]

Don't kid yourself. There are a lot of angry Clinton supporters who are not just women, but men, youth, Latinos and more. Obama and the DNC have a problem, and it's of their own making. We will remember in NOvember.

[sherbug]

You seem to be the only one making threats. Where is the army of angry Hillary-trons that you speak of. If you support Hillary, then you should support who she asked you to support. You are not a Hillary supporter at all or you would do as she asked you to do. You are not cooperating with her or with anyone. So what is your purpose here?

[wutzhappn]

Problem is, he's already communicated to women voters what his values are. He doesn't mind that the members of his church applaud wildly when Hillary Clinton is demonized from the pulpit. He played the race card with Hillary's innocuous comments about LBJ. He turned his back on Hillary at the state of the union address. He gave Hillary the middle finger and brushed the dust off his shoulder, per Jay-Z. He played off of old GOP Clinton bashing talking points of the 90s. He demeaned and dismissed the only two-term Democratic president of our lifetime. He thinks Hillary is "likeable enough." He blocked re-votes in Florida and Michigan. He stole delegates from Hillary in Michigan. He played the race card on Geraldine Ferraro. His supporters attack Hillary supporters on the blogosphere with some of the most vile comments imaginable. And the DNC just sat back and pushed Hillary out of the race, an accomplished Senator and viable candidate who compiled the most votes in the history of presidential primaries. Don't kid yourselves that everybody will fall in line for OBAMA. We will remember in NOvember....

[sherbug]

Do you want some cheese with your whine. Please run don't walk to your nearest voter registration place and change your affiliation to Republican or Independent or whatever you decide you want to be.

We want to have a strong, loyal Democratic coalition that are more interested in defeating the Republicans based on what our issues are. The party is only as strong as its weakest link and you are a weak link and I am glad to see you and those of like thinking leave the Party so we can coalesce around our candidate and get him elected.

Your threats fall on deaf ears and please don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[Beaucat]

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

Bet you've never heard of those phrases.

[Mojane]

The key is for the media to begin letting the voters, all voters, know who both McCain and Obama, their biographies, and their voting records. It's all there for the media, including Fox, to put it out there for everyone to check out and compare. Otherwise, Obama will have to visit every freakin' county in the country, so they can "get to know him up close, and be able to touch him." We all know McCain's biography, but his voting record? I think not.

[the964kid]

It's not like there is any question as to which candidate is infinitely better for women's issues.

[ajax2]

First he needs to explain what a McCain Supreme Court will do to women.

[CeliaB]

The media WAS sexist during the primaries. It is more acceptable to be overtly sexist than racist. This does not mean that racism was not as much at play in the primaries. Obama did not have an obligation to make his campaign about eradicating sexism any more than Hillary had the responsibility to renounce the racism. If either were to achieve the presidency, though, I would certainly expect them to do something about these scourges!

This idea that Clinton voters do not have to be loyal Democrats because the DNC was not loyal to "the Clintons" is ABSURD!!! The DNC is NOT supposed to take sides. It is not supposed to be loyal to any particular candidate or dynastic power structure. And this notion of entitlement is an indication of why many democrats opted for Obama.

Oh, and those who will vote for, or vote to allow, a McCain presidency are not feminists. Remember that McCain laughed when a supporter referred to Hillary using the "B" word right in front of him. Remember that he made an off color remark about Chelsea when she was still a teenager. Remember that he would appoint anti-choice judges. If you know all this and still want to vote out of spite, so be it. You were never a real feminist or democrat to begin with, just a Hillary fangirl.

[2cntswrth]

The writer's advice to Sentator Obama about reaching women is good. However, I believe he is doing exactly what she suggests already. It's just not being recognized or talked about on the news. Instead, the problem of "angry white women" is being assigned specifically to him instead of to voters who would not support him under any circumstances. I happen to be both a woman and an African American. Either of these candidates in my view were more aligned with the values and future I would like to have for my children and grandchildren. But the primary season got very ugly from both perspectives of sexism as well as racism. As a recipient of both kinds of bigotry for all of my life, it was extremely uncomfortable for me to watch it unfold for both of these candidates. Yet, John McCain does not offer the same values I hold as a Democrat. Voting for him is not an option. But at this point, I hear no pundit, blogger, or any political analyst suggesting that he needs to make special efforts to reach out of women or African Americans who the Republican Party has systematically disenfranchised.

[saun8934]

Wow, thank you for saying that. For a minute there I was starting to think we only have WHITE women in the country. I understand that a fairly high percentage of blacks support the democratic nominee, consistently. However, I do not think that it is fair to take our vote for granted, that in itself to me seems racist and unfair. Why, does it always seems as though black people are not really that important. If anyone should be pissed off with this whole primary and general election process it should be the black people not the uneducated and angry white women, seems how they are been treated as if only their votes are up for grabs and no other category of women!
This country has come along way, however, we still have lots of work ahead. So many things are still not very equal.

[Heru1]

The racism and reverse sexism of bitter H supporters is pathetic. It is also impotent. O is now beating McBush by a large margin among women voters.

[CAPol]

Food for thought ---

Is it possible these "Obamaites" that are spewing vitriol on this and other blogs are nothing more nor less than "transplanted pubs" working their little hearts out to "divide and conquer". For my own peace of mind, I shall consider them just that and hope most of the rest of you, also disappointed in Hillary's defeat, can do the same. What a platter of goodies they are offering the Republicans with their nasty comments about their "fellow" voters.