Rachel Maddow had a wonderful little piece on the “War on Women” issue yesterday. She said that first the Republicans compared the alleged “war on women” that Democrats accuse the Romney campaign of waging to a “war on caterpillars.” When that analogy fell flat, the Republicans shifted to the idea that Democrats are showing veterans disrespect by using the word “war” in this context. However, Maddow pointed out that the Republicans have also been using the word “war” to criticize the Democrats: for example, by focusing on the Democrats’ “war on religion.” So, once again, the Romney campaign changed tactics by denying they are waging a war on women. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the GOP voted against the bill to give women equal pay for equal work, which was one of the first pieces of legislation Obama signed into law. As a result, the Republicans had to change strategy once again by trotting out two Republican Congresswomen who attested that Romney would have been in favor of the bill, even though the most Romney’s campaign could say was that he would not repeal it. However, it was discovered that these very two Congresswomen themselves both voted against the bill. So now, according to Maddow, the Romney campaign is doing what they do best (the same strategy they used against Santorum), by saying that it is actually Obama, not Romney, who is waging a war against women.
Having said that, I believe nonetheless that the Democrats’ demonizing Romney’s wife is beyond the pale, and I consider it the same as attacking Romney’s religion. There is nothing wrong with a woman’s not working outside the home and choosing to be a stay-at-home mom, especially if the family can afford it. I suppose this tactic is meant to focus attention again at Romney’s wealth; but I don’t think it serves the Obama campaign well. Besides, there is so much else that Romney can be legitimately criticized for, why is it always necessary for both sides to stoop to the level of dirty politics?
