RICHMOND, Va. — (WTVR) Both the Obama and Romney campaigns have stepped up their efforts to court female voters; a demographic which experts believe is crucial to winning the presidency.
“At the moment in the polls, Obama is doing better than normal among women voters,” CBS6 Political Analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth said. “It’s very important for Romney, especially in these battleground states, to narrow that gap somewhat,” Holsworth said.
Gallup recently reported an 8% Obama advantage over Governor Romney when it comes to women’s issues.
As Romney looks to narrow the gap, Democrats hope to widen it by capitalizing on recent statements by Republican Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) regarding abortion and rape.
Planned Parenthood, a national organization committed to a womans right to choose, is crisscrossing the country on behalf of President Obama and Democratic candidates. On Sunday, the “Pink Bus Tour” stopped in Richmond.
“There is really no better place for this bus to stop than right here in Virginia,” Cianti Stewart-Reid, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia,” told a crowd gathered at the 17th Street Farmer’s Market on Sunday.
Stewart-Reid was joined by other local Democratic leaders, including Rep. Bobby Scott and Delegate Jennifer McClellan.
“Obama is supporting women, he’s got our back and every women should vote for him,” Robyn Bentley told CBS 6.
But conservative women couldn’t disagree more with the assertion that the Romney campaign is engaging in a “War on Women.”
“I believe abortion is the defining issue every time I vote,” Ann Neirmeyer, a Richmond pro-life activist, said.
“I learned 15 years ago that abortion was the leading cause of death in the United States and in the world and from that time I have always voted pro-life,” Neirmeyer said. Neirmeyer believes that life begins at the moment of conception, and counts each abortion as a death.
The Romney campaign, for their part, has claimed Obama policies on the economy are disproportionally affecting female voters.
The Romney campaign will be holding a “Women for Mitt” night at various campaign locations across Virginia on Monday, including at their Henrico and Charlottesville offices.
Events at both locations begin at 5 p.m.
