This afternoon, CNN/Opinion Research poll shows Mitt Romney at 24%, Newt Gingrich at 22% and Herman Cain at 14%. Rising in the polls is just part of the task. Raising sufficient funds to launch a formidable campaign is key to staying in the race, and only Romney has raised any significant funds. As of September 30, Romney raised $32,212,389, with about half that amount in cash on hand and zero debt. Gingrich, who raised just under $3 million and Cain, who raised $5,340,967, don’t come close.
When compared individually or collectively to President Obama who raised $89,473,611 during the same period, collectively, Republicans are running about $9 million short.
One area that is consistent for all Republican candidates is the lack of female donors. The figures below are as of October 31, 2011 and represent candidates who participate in GOP debates:
- Paul 83.6 percent male 16.4 percent female
- Bachman 76.0 percent male 24.0 percent female
- Cain 75.2 percent male 24.8 percent female
- Jon Huntsman 72.5 perdent male 27.5 percent female
- Gingrich 71.7 percent male 28.3 percent female
- Romney 70.2 percent male 29.8 percent female
- Santorum 67.8 percent male 32.2 percent female
- Perry 66.5 percent male 33.5 percent female
In contrast, President Obama’s donor support is far more balanced; men account for 56.2 percent and women account for 43.8 percent of donations received during the same period.
Since voters outnumber donors, the low female donor figures can readily be translated into even lower voter support among women. This is something Republicans should be very concerned about. Women traditionally vote more than men do. According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, in 2000, women outvoted men by 8 million votes. In 2008, 62 percent of all men voted. Seventy-three percent of eligible women voters were registered, of which 66 percent voted and 56 percent cast their vote for Obama.
One would think that the best conservative strategists would come up with ways to secure the female vote. Instead, Republicans launch unprecedented attacks on women’s rights at the federal and state level, while simultaneously attacking issues that women champion. Regardless of political affiliation, women have either fought for or championed causes to stop war, eliminate hunger, poverty and injustice. Women have worked tirelessly for the right to vote and have registered millions of voters since the late 1800s. Women also have traditionally played a key role in providing social services and public education.
Republicans’ tactic of going after teachers, anti-choice legislation, voter suppression laws, commitment to war and ground troops, and lack of attention to jobs and the economy, among other issues, may have a wide audience within their small base but will backfire with the largest voting group; women.
Women’s suffrage, including the rights of women to vote, hold public office and achieve economic equality, began in the mid 1800s. In 2012, women will not go back to the kitchen or become submissive Stepford Wives caricatures, conjuring up denigrating imagery of “barefoot and pregnant.” We’ll keep our shoes on and vote for the person who supports the issues and causes we fight for and champion; President Obama.
Donation source and demographics: Center for Responsive Politics
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