MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio — Republican nominee Mitt Romney’s awkward comment during the second presidential debate that he had received “binders full of women” as Massachusetts governor when he requested more female job candidates went fully viral Wednesday, drawing snickers from voters but also fueling a broader fight between the two campaigns over the key support of women.
Romney’s remark was just a sliver of the discussion Tuesday night about issues relevant to women, as the candidates tussled over subjects such as contraception and unequal pay. The battle escalated on Wednesday, as President Obama worked to reclaim his advantage among women — and as the Romney campaign returned to its core argument that the Republican is better suited to manage women’s top concern, the economy.
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Campaigning in Iowa, Obama ridiculed his opponent.
“I’ve got to tell you, we don’t have to collect a bunch of binders to find qualified, talented, driven young women, ready to learn and teach in these fields right now,” he said.
Romney, at a stop in Chesapeake, Va., revisited a question from the debate about the gender pay gap, saying that answers women want to hear about the economy are coming from him, not Obama.
“This is a presidency that has not helped America’s women, and as I go across the country and ask women, ‘What can I do to help?’ what they speak about day in and day out is ‘Help me find a good job, or a good job for my spouse,’ ” Romney said. “That’s what the women of America are concerned about. And the answers are coming from us and not from Barack Obama.”
Although the candidates have courted female voters all year, they are renewing their attention to the demographic as polls show the race tightening, and as some surveys indicate that Obama’s once-sizable advantage among women has slipped.
Romney shifted his emphasis Tuesday night on at least one issue relevant to women, asserting that “every woman in America should have access to contraceptives.” He objects to the president’s policy that requires employers to pay for contraception as part of health insurance coverage, an issue important to conservatives who consider it an infringement on the rights of religious institutions. But he did not mention that, and instead focused on the undisputed issue of access, as he appeared to be trying to present a more moderate face in the closing weeks before the election.
The Romney campaign also debuted a new ad this week that tries to soften his image. The spot, called “Sarah,” features a young woman who says Obama’s ads accusing Romney of wanting to ban all abortions and contraception “concerned” her.
“So I looked into it,” she says. “Turns out, Romney doesn’t oppose contraception at all. In fact, he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother’s life.”
“This issue is important to me,” she says. “But I’m more concerned about the debt our children could be left with.”
The ad is a direct play for undecided voters such as Paula Fultz, 59, who is from a Cleveland suburb. She supports abortion rights and backed Obama four years ago but gave Romney a closer look after the first debate. “He seemed more credible than what I’d seen before,” Fultz said of Romney. “So I’ve been leaning more to looking at the jobs discussion.” After Tuesday’s debate, Fultz said she is still leaning toward Romney, even though she said she thought Obama performed better the second time around.
Romney’s remark was just a sliver of the discussion Tuesday night about issues relevant to women, as the candidates tussled over subjects such as contraception and unequal pay. The battle escalated on Wednesday, as President Obama worked to reclaim his advantage among women — and as the Romney campaign returned to its core argument that the Republican is better suited to manage women’s top concern, the economy.
Video
President Obama and Mitt Romney provide their platforms on how they would improve inequality in the workplace at the town hall Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on Long Island, N.Y.
More from PostPolitics
Chris Cillizza THE FIX | The second presidential debate is history. Who did the best? Who did the worst?
Glenn Kessler FACT CHECKER | We heard some oldies but goodies in Tuesday night’s feisty debate between Obama and Romney.
Aaron Blake THE FIX | It's his biggest lead yet and the first time he has led Obama outside the margin of error.
Suzi Parker SHE THE PEOPLE | Romney creates an internet sensation, but fails to address women's issues.
Campaigning in Iowa, Obama ridiculed his opponent.
“I’ve got to tell you, we don’t have to collect a bunch of binders to find qualified, talented, driven young women, ready to learn and teach in these fields right now,” he said.
Romney, at a stop in Chesapeake, Va., revisited a question from the debate about the gender pay gap, saying that answers women want to hear about the economy are coming from him, not Obama.
“This is a presidency that has not helped America’s women, and as I go across the country and ask women, ‘What can I do to help?’ what they speak about day in and day out is ‘Help me find a good job, or a good job for my spouse,’ ” Romney said. “That’s what the women of America are concerned about. And the answers are coming from us and not from Barack Obama.”
Although the candidates have courted female voters all year, they are renewing their attention to the demographic as polls show the race tightening, and as some surveys indicate that Obama’s once-sizable advantage among women has slipped.
Romney shifted his emphasis Tuesday night on at least one issue relevant to women, asserting that “every woman in America should have access to contraceptives.” He objects to the president’s policy that requires employers to pay for contraception as part of health insurance coverage, an issue important to conservatives who consider it an infringement on the rights of religious institutions. But he did not mention that, and instead focused on the undisputed issue of access, as he appeared to be trying to present a more moderate face in the closing weeks before the election.
The Romney campaign also debuted a new ad this week that tries to soften his image. The spot, called “Sarah,” features a young woman who says Obama’s ads accusing Romney of wanting to ban all abortions and contraception “concerned” her.
“So I looked into it,” she says. “Turns out, Romney doesn’t oppose contraception at all. In fact, he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest or to save a mother’s life.”
“This issue is important to me,” she says. “But I’m more concerned about the debt our children could be left with.”
The ad is a direct play for undecided voters such as Paula Fultz, 59, who is from a Cleveland suburb. She supports abortion rights and backed Obama four years ago but gave Romney a closer look after the first debate. “He seemed more credible than what I’d seen before,” Fultz said of Romney. “So I’ve been leaning more to looking at the jobs discussion.” After Tuesday’s debate, Fultz said she is still leaning toward Romney, even though she said she thought Obama performed better the second time around.