Win-lose twist ... on security

The Washington Times ^ | September 28, 2004 | Frank J. Gaffney Jr.

[kingattax]

Suddenly, the hottest phenomenon in presidential politics is the metamorphosis of women from "soccer moms" to "security moms." If this group is as much in play as some polls suggest, then working and other mothers who are concerned first and foremost with their children's security may well prove to be president-makers in 2004. It should hardly come as a surprise women are instinctively preoccupied with the well-being of their families and communities. Roughly a decade ago, the Center for Security Policy conducted a series of focus groups around the country in which people were asked how they felt about being unprotected against ballistic missile attack. Once they got over the shock that their government deliberately left them vulnerable to such a threat, the moms and other women in these groups were even more insistent than the men on corrective action. (Interestingly, such action is expected to begin this week, thanks to President Bush's commitment to deploying missile defenses — something John Kerry strenuously opposed throughout his Senate career.)