Houston Democrats

It's certainly one of those times to reflect and ask yourself: "Am I really better off now than I was before the GOP dominated every branch of government?"

It seems that many women are discovering that answer is "No."

At least that's what a recent poll conducted by Garin-Hart-Yang Research found. Historically, men and women have reacted to Republicans in different ways, and it appears the gender gap may again be asserting itself, something that obviously could create difficulties for the GOP in 2006.

Perhaps more seriously for the GOP is that the recent polling information reflects the widespread disatisfaction among Americans for Bush's policies and the war in Iraq.

Bush did well among women voters in 2000, receiving 48% of their votes, a narrower gender gap than commonly observed. However, the recent survey of 2,613 voters found 43% of women would choose to support a Democratic candidate in the 2006 Congressional elections versus 32% who would vote Republican.

Male voters still narrowly favor a Republican congressional candidate, producing a 16-point gap between the genders - a bigger one than in the 2004 Congressional election (14 points) and sharply higher than in the last midterm election in 2002 (5 points).

Ellen Malcom, president of Emily's List, the organization that sponsored the survey, believes:

The erosion that now has been appearing in many polls for the Republicans is almost solely attributable to the shift of women voters, and many of the gains that President Bush had in his reelection in November have disappeared with those groups of women voters.

Even GOP pollsters have noticed a widening of the gender gap. The president of the Tarrance Group, Ed Goeas says there is a 17-point division. However, he adds that other methods of evaluating the data give Republicans an advantage. For example, married couples preferred Bush by 33% and those who attended church frequently preferred him by 22%.

While these numbers do not guarantee Democratic gains in 2006, they seem to show the GOP is sliding downward in popularity. However, something could happen to elevate the GOP's position.

A Democratic activist advocates the need to more effectively appeal to women voters by showing concern for families through health care and security. Of course I believe the Democratic Party has always stood for these things, but maybe the message isn't being made effectively enough.

Women's greatest concerns:
Social Security: 27%
War in Iraq: 25%
Health Care: 20%

When asked whether the statement, "Taking care of the needs of other people is the most important role I play," describes them well, 46 percent of women voters said yes. But only 24 percent of men said that description fit them.

Now maybe if the women could get their husbands to see eye to eye with them.

See the article in the Christian Science Monitor.