Why Rick Santorum is turning off American women

Deborah Cowan
WVoN co-editor

The American state of Arizona witnessed more than a little blood on the sand yesterday (Thursday), as Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney crossed swords in a fierce Republican candidate debate in their bid to lead the party in this year’s Presidential race.

Santorum has seen a recent surge in popularity among the more conservative Republicans, or the ‘Grand Old Party’ (GOP), as well as among the public in general.

And despite claims by Romney that his candidacy is ‘inevitable’, Santorum is now ahead in the polls and continues to gain national momentum.

There is, however, a fly in the ointment for Michigan born Santorum, which reaches beyond his well known proclivity for simply putting his foot in it (this list from The Daily Beast is far from exhaustive).

Specifically, it has been his policies and ideologies around women’s issues that have seen the female of the American species turn away in anger.  To paraphrase one American news commentator, he appears to be waging a war on women’s health.

Among his more controversial opinions are those surrounding pregnancy, abortion and contraception.

Not surprisingly, Santorum is anti-abortion. Well, he is a Republican.

The debate around abortion in America is ongoing and passionate, but it is inevitable that many women staunchly believe that abortion is something that is between a woman and her doctor, and is not the concern of a government or party – especially one dominated by conservative men.

Perhaps Santorum’s most extreme postulation on abortion came in January with his ‘make lemonade‘ comments, calling for women who are impregnated as a result of rape to “make the best of a bad situation.”

Santorum also opposes the use of contraception, and while he does not suggest that he would ban it, he does believe that individual states should have that right.

It’s remarkable for a man to hold such strenuous views on birth control, given that the majority of American women have at some point used contraception or are still doing so.

For millions, it is not just about their health, but their freedom and their dignity.

One of Santorum’s aides, Foster Freiss, came under fire last week for ‘joking’ about the use of contraception, saying “back in my days, they used Bayer Asprin for contraception.  The gals put it between their knees and it wasn’t that costly.”

Andrea Mitchell, who was interviewing Freiss for MSNBC, looked visibly taken aback before saying, “Excuse me, I’m just trying to catch my breath from that.”

Although he distanced himself from the faux pas, Santorum himself has said: “One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country, the whole sexual libertine idea.

“Many of the Christian faith have said well, that’s OK, contraception is OK.  It’s not OK because it’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.” (cue his opinions on same sex marriage……)

Perhaps someone should point out to Santorum and his republican (male) cohorts that the best way to reduce abortion is to reduce unwanted pregnancies.  And the best way to do that is education and proactivity around contraception.

He also attacks amniocentesis, saying that too many prenatal tests lead to abortions.

His attack on pre-screenings for birth defects, which he says will lead to a ‘cull of the ranks of the disabled in our society’, was countered by an Obama spokeswoman, who pointed out that the tests are actually for the health of mothers and babies.

These are all issues that specifically affect women. Perhaps Santorum should consider his electorate more carefully before espousing such gender specific beliefs, and bear in mind that the support of women voters cannot be underestimated.

In 2008, John McCain faced a similar lack of popularity among female voters, gaining only 43 per cent of the female ballot.

In isolation, this figure does not necessarily signal defeat.   However, when you consider that in 2008 women actually cast the majority of the American vote, with nearly eight million more women voting than men, the significance becomes clear.

Without the support of this female electorate, McCain’s campaign fell somewhat short.

So perhaps it should be ringing alarm bells for Santorum that, in the most recent poll, a gender gap has indeed surfaced, with women in Arizona supporting Romney over him by nearly two to one.

But it’s not just issues around pregnancy and birth control that have the women of America scratching their heads in wonder.

He also has rather particular ideas about education.  In the past, he has referred to public schools as ‘factories’ and strenuously believes that children who attend these ‘government run schools’ (that would be around 90 per cent of American children) should actually be schooled at home – as his seven children are.

But who would the responsibility of home schooling generally fall to?  That would be the mothers.

Not to worry, though – given that Santorum disapproves of women working outside the home when their children are young, what better use should they make of their time while waiting for their children to reach a suitable age for them to rejoin the workforce?

He also believes that the recent decision by the Pentagon to expand the range of combat roles which women can fill, is a mistake, as there will inevitably be ‘increased emotions’ that could jeopardise military missions.

Although many of these issues are not currently under scrutiny for change in current legislation, it’s understandable that women might be nervous should Santorum take the Republican candidacy.  Or indeed the Presidency.

If Santorum holds fast with his conservative Republican views as they stand, it’s not inconceivable that the gender gap will continue to grow and he may effectively be handing victory squarely to his opponent, be that Romney or ultimately Barack Obama.

A young woman, heard in deep discussion recently with a family planning group outside a New York subway, perhaps best summed up the feelings of women in America, saying …..

“It’s 2012, and men are still telling us what to do with our bodies?”