The Politico and the Democrats, but, I repeat myself, thought that the contraception mandate issue was the perfect issue for Democrats, as they could paint Republicans, and Santorum, as “anti-women” (despite marrying one and having three daughters). How’s that working out?
(Washington Post) Over the past several weeks, Republicans have watched squeamishly as presidential contender Rick Santorum has waded into multiple controversies that risk alienating half the 2012 electorate: women.
But in fact, Santorum has grown more popular among women while talking about his opposition to abortion, his disapproval of birth control and his view that the federal government shouldn’t pay for prenatal screenings. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows not only that Santorum is doing better among GOP women than he was a few weeks ago, but also that he is less unpopular — and also less well known — among Democratic and independent women than his Republican rivals Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich.
Since the abortifacient kerfuffle started, Rick jumped from about 47% favorability among GOP women to 57%. Romney is sitting at 61%. Santorum also has a lower unfavorable rating than Mitt, 18% to 28%.
Voters and political strategists alike say Santorum’s rise has less to do with his views on these issues than on his ability to relate to the daily struggles of the middle class.
Of course, the Washington Post, being the good little in the tank liberals they are, try to paint Rick as unelectable and the GOP as out of touch, but, they had to point out that
..there is no evidence that Santorum’s position among women in either party has dropped in recent weeks. That is a surprise to some Republicans, who have watched uncomfortably as he has engaged in high-profile discussions about abortion, contraception and prenatal screening.
Most rational adults understand that these are Santorum’s personal views, which he won’t impose on others. They further understand that Santorum is attacking them from a Big Central Government and Constitutional point of view, not a religious or feelings one. The screeching ninnies on the Left, along with some squishy Republicans, failed to paint Santorum as the leader of a coming theocracy.
Santorum’s popularity has probably risen, several Republicans said, because he has stuck to his views while working to change the subject back to the core issue of the economy. That is something that Romney, despite his business background, has not done well, several Republican and Democratic strategists said.
That’s a big point. I mentioned a ways ago that my concern with Santorum was that he was always known as a social issues guy running in an election cycle about the economy, and that he would have to really push hard to show his economic chops. Sure, his record isn’t perfect: what politicians is? The GOP base would destroy Reagan today over his amnesty for illegals.
The rest of the article points out that Rick tends to talk about day to day affairs, like picking the kids up and hitting the grocery store to buy milk, and day to day issues are what women are focused on. Rick sticks to his guns, talks about what matters, and has turned being the flavor of the month into a long term challenge to Romney.
Wake Up America has much more.
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.
Read: Remember The Meme About Santorum Being “Anti-Women”? »
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