The Waning War on Women Meme

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz' War on Men
Has Ruined the Dems War on Women meme

Democratic National Congressional Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has effectively (yet inadvertently) ended the Democratic Party’s “War on Women” meme against the Republican Party.

Her recent outrageous comments against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker cannot command any respect:

Scott Walker has given women the back of his hand. I know that is stark. I know that is direct. But that is reality. What Republican tea party extremists like Scott Walker are doing is they are grabbing us by the hair and pulling us back.

Widespread outrage, from politicians and media pundits, pressured Wasserman-Schultz to apologize for the remarks. Fox News Commentator Andrea Tantaros criticized her with great disdain:

I want to apologize for all women everywhere. I wish she were a man, I am so embarrassed.

Still, is there any evidence to suggest that the Wisconsin Governor’s policies have added undue burdens to women or slighted their opportunities for advancement?

Walker's Reforms Champion Women,
Protecting Domestic Violence Victims

Last year, Governor Walker signed legislation which would require a woman to undertake an ultrasound before seeking an abortion. Besides safeguarding the lives of unborn women, Walker highlighted that this decision would permit women to make informed choices should they undergo the invasive procedure of terminating a life in their womb. In a way, Walker’s measure brandishes a more pro-choice edge than Democrats claim (or would have others believe about Republicans in general).

Regarding support for victims of domestic violence, the Governor of Wisconsin signed significant reforms into law this year. Three in particular stood out in a public signing ceremony. The first bill would require individuals served with restraining orders to turn over the guns to legal authorities. One distraught victim praised Walker’s resolve in passing the legislation:

"I've got that peace. I feel like now I can start living because I did make a difference. And that's wonderful."

The other reforms would allow victims of stalking to obtain restraining orders, a measure which other states have not considered or have been slow to take up. The third reform directs law enforcement to recommend support services for domestic violence victims. In years past, victims (predominantly women) faced skepticism or harassment from law enforcement when they reported that they had been the victims of rape or assault.

In addition to laws which protect unborn children and pregnant mothers, along with safeguarding the welfare of domestic violence victims, Walker signed a bill which requires parents to go through government agencies before transferring custody of their children to non-relatives. This reform not only explodes the myth that Republicans (and Walker in particular) do not care about social services for children, but also the notion that Walker is an anti-government zealot bent on privatizing every facet of state responsibility.

So much for Wasserman-Schultz’ washed-up “War on Women” smear against Gov. Walker.

While the “War on Women” motif had some media substance in 2012, bringing down an otherwise viable candidate in Missouri (poor choice of words regarding rape and resulting pregnancy), the offensive meme has lost much of its steam this year.

Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee faced the issue of women’s issues boldly, calling out the Democratic Party’s war on women:

 

 

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee

Our party stands for the recognition of the equality of women and the capacity of women. That's not a war on women; it's a war for them,." Huckabee said.

And if the Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing for them a prescription each month for birth control because they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government, then so be it.

While editors from Breitbart (and syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer) bristled at Huckabee’s comments, and Wasserman-Schultz attempted to exploit these remarks, Huckabee stood his ground and doubled down, then quickly emerged as a potential contender for the 2016 nomination.

Congresswoman Jeanettte Rankin
First Woman elected to Congress
(and a Republican)

Huckabee exhorted his fellow Republicans to carry the Republican message of respect women and their choices. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal already beat him to it. Recently, two male Republican US Senate candidates have followed Jindal’s example: Cory Gardner of Colorado and Thom Tillis of North Carolina both have advocated for expanding birth control to women. These arguments not only diffuse the War on Women meme, but add fire-power to GOP attacks regarding Obamacare, legislation which has severely limited women’s health care choices. For the record, there is nothing wrong with permitting individual women to decide whether they are ready to have a child. These values do not conflict with protecting life, since many birth control measures prevent a pregnancy as opposed to terminating life.

Besides, if any party has honored women, look no further than the Republican Party, which includes credit for key executive positions (George W. Bush nominated Condoleeza Rice) and appointments to the Supreme Court (Reagan nominated the first woman, Sandra Day O’Connor, but for more reasons than gender). The first woman in Congress was a Republican, too (Jeannette Rankin of Montana). In 2014, Democratic are getting shaken by the Republicans’ aggressive War for Women, and the Democratic Party’s War on Women meme is all washed up.

 

(Besides, the War on Women mantra was turning off voters, anyway)