President Obama expressed confidence Tuesday that his party was doing a better job appealing to women voters.
Obama wouldn’t answer directly whether he believes the GOP is waging a “war on women,” by targeting birth control coverage, and cautioned that women’s votes don’t hang on a single issue.
“Women are going to make up their own minds in this election about who is advancing the issues they care most deeply about,” Obama said. “I’m not somebody who believe women will be single-issue voters.”
Obama addressed the contraception battle that was sparked by his administration’s requirement that religious employers provide contraception coverage, and a Senate bill to reverse the mandate that failed last week.
“Millions of strong women around the country will make their own determination about a whole range of issues. It’s not going to be narrowly focused just on contraception, it won’t be driven by one statement by one radio announcer,” Obama said, alluding to Rush Limbaugh’s attack of a Georgetown law student who spoke out on the issue.
Instead, Obama said his pitch to women voters is predicated on a host of issues, including the economy, “And I believe that Democrats have a better story to tell to women.”
It is going to be driven by their view of what’s most likely to make sure they can help support their families, make their mortgage payments, who has got a plan to insure middle class families are secure over the long term. What is most likely to result in their kids being able to get the education they need to compete.
“One of the things I learned being married to Michelle,” said Obama, “is I don’t need to tell her what it is she thinks is important.”
Pema Levy
Pema Levy is a News Writer at TPM covering the 2012 election. Before coming to TPM, Pema was an assistant editor at The American Prospect where she wrote about politics and the economy.
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