GOP seeks stronger women’s vote

Erin Neff

Monday, July 23, 2001 | 10:25 a.m.

Women are the focus of a concerted effort launched last week by the national GOP, hoping to win Republican candidates victory in future elections.

President Bush garnered 43 percent of the women's vote during the 2000 election -- a number national and state GOP leaders want to see improve.

"We believe that he is someone who appeals to women and whose issues are right," Republican National Committee co-chairwoman Ann Wagner said during a conference call with reporters from the Boston meeting.

Beverly Willard, Nevada's national GOP committeewoman, was thrilled Thursday to hear information about her party's new outreach to women, an initiative called Winning Women, complete with its own website.

"I am so excited to take this initiative back home," Willard said from Boston. "We have been reaching out to the women in Nevada, especially in Hispanic communities."

Willard, a Carson City resident, said she thinks all Nevadans will appreciate the $292 million in tax rebate checks expected to arrive over the next three months, but that Hispanic women can relate more strongly to the Republican agenda.

"Hispanics basically have the same philosophy Republicans have," Willard said. "'They believe in family, they believe in hard work, and they don't believe in handouts."

Wagner said the GOP will reach out to women -- estimated at 52 percent to 54 percent of the national electorate -- with "whatever it takes."

By focusing on education, tax relief and funding for women's health initiatives, Wagner said, she thinks the party will draw the soccer mom demographic that has previously supported Democratic candidates.

"These are not just women's issues, these are issues women care about," Wagner said.