It’s not just “ugly butch feminazis” who support the right to abort. You might be surprised to learn how many normal looking, middle class women, married with families, fall into that category.
Some years ago we had a fairly ho-hum gubernatorial election in VA. The only thing interesting about the race was that the Dem was African-American. That is, until NARAL, WaPo, and others made an issue of the Republican’s pro-life position. I was working at the polls on that election day, and was stunned at how many of those nice, white, educated, middle class wives and mothers showed up to support the pro-choice Dem. When the doors closed at 7pm, there was a long line inside the building, almost all women, waiting to vote. Not one left until she had voted. The Dem won the election.
All it would take in a presidential election is for ‘swing states’ women to show up in droves to vote for whoever would preserve their right to abort. And, you can bet your bottom dollar with that as the top issue for which Santorum is known, that is exactly what will be focused on in the run up to the election.
I don’t think it’s quite accurate to say “Ordinary, faithful, conservative women” won’t vote for Newt just because your wife won’t! There are plenty of “Ordinary, faithful, conservative women” on this board who are quite vocally supportive of Newt, who happens also to be pro-life, but has a more diverse portfolio on issues. Your one-woman poll doesn’t work in presidential elections.
Sorry but the women on this board are not refective of any demographic other than the women on this board. This place is a great big echo chamber. We don't really discuss anything anymore. We log in and echo each other's opinions unless we don't...then we likely get called names, insulted and someteimes zotted. I'm afraid that my wife and her lady friends...many of whom are republican and voted against Doug Wilder...are more reflective of American women in general and Newt's in trouble with that demographic.
I should also mention that I don't believe any candidate's position on abortion is going to have much effect on this election. This election is about jobs and the economy. Period.