Democrats didn’t just lose several Senate seats to Republicans on Election Day — they lost a substantial number of one of their core voting blocks, women, when compared to years past.
In previous elections, Democrats could count on garnering double-digit margins of support from women, Reuters reported. But this year, women only chose Democrats over Republicans with a 5 percentage point lead, Reuters reported.
The tally was actually 52 percent of women voters for Democrats; 47 percent for Republicans, Reuters reported.
What’s going on?
Exit polls suggest that women are fed up with the partisanship on Capitol Hill — and that they’re tired of a president who just can’t seem to grasp the reins of leadership.
“I can’t vote for people who allow such negativity, because it doesn’t say much for their characters,” said Maxine Schein, 69, a lifelong Democrat who voted for a third-party candidate this year, Reuters reported. “They’re being politicians — they’re not being the kind of leader I want.”
Another pointed the finger of blame right at Mr. Obama, saying he’s showed considerable failure at both home and overseas, particularly with the botched Obamacare rollout and the Islamic State terrorist threat.
“I just don’t feel that he’s taking leadership of the country,” said Carol Roodvoets, 46, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Reuters.
Yet one more — lifelong Georgia Democrat, Joyce Burns — said she’s been watching Mr. Obama’s response to the Middle East chaos and criticisms of Israel with growing alarm.
“I believe we’re in the Latter Times,” the 61-year-old said, Reuters reported. “When everyone goes against Israel, that’s when I believe Jesus will come back.”
And some are tired of the Democrats’ constant talk of so-called women’s issues, like abortion and contraception, at the exclusion of other platforms of importance to the female population.
Tracy Marshall, 57, an abortion-rights supporter from Colorado Springs who’s backed Mr. Obama for both his presidential elections, said she went for a third-party candidate in the midterms because of the economy.
“I blame both parties because I don’t think anyone has been magnanimous or willing to cooperate,” she said, Reuters reported. “It’s embarrassing. It’s very sad, and I just feel like we’ve wasted so much time and so much money.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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