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By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012 | 2 a.m.
After taking an election year beating from Democrats on Medicare for months, Republicans regrouped, found their message and launched their counterattack.
But as Missouri Rep. Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” comment resurrected the “war on women” motif last week, it’s clear Republicans haven’t quite found a similar footing when responding to the broader charge that the GOP is on the wrong side of women’s issues.
The lack of a honed message was evident last week at a news conference in Reno, when Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, and Rep. Joe Heck, R-Henderson, tried to explain why Republicans will be fine with female voters this fall.
The response to Akin’s comments that a woman can’t get pregnant as a result of a “legitimate rape” was easy: describe them as offensive and indefensible and then move on to the next topic.
But the pair didn’t seem quite as sure of themselves when responding to the broader “war on women” launched by Democrats this year during a particularly caustic debate over whether businesses should be required to provide health insurance that cover contraceptives.
Amodei attacked it by describing Romney’s new running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., as an excellent spokesman on the issue.
“When he talks about the issues, whether it’s health care, whether it's accessibility of health care, whether it’s the women thing … people really like the contrast,” Amodei said. “Here’s a guy who doesn’t read off the teleprompter. He tells you what he thinks.”
Amodei went on to explain: “You know what, Paul Ryan is a benefit on that because women appreciate honesty. So do men. And honesty is something that’s been in short supply when combined with leadership. And he’s got both of them.”
Heck tried a little different tact. He dismissed the idea that women would base their vote on abortion rights, contraception, equal pay — issues Democrats have used to pillory Republicans.
“Women vote the same pocketbook issues as men do,” Heck said.
He went on: “They vote about the No. 1 issue that all Americans are facing, which is: Am I going to keep my job? Am I going to get a job? Am I going to be able to pay my mortgage? Am I going to put food on the table?”
Indeed, that seems to be the fallback playbook: Briefly address the troublesome issue and then pivot to the economy.
The economy and jobs top the list of most important issues to voters. But both sides have exploited side issues to peel away segments of voters. Democrats see Medicare and women’s issues as just the way to do that.
Akin, who has apologized for his use of the word “legitimate,” refused to drop out of the U.S. Senate race in Missouri, virtually ensuring that his comments will remain a part of the Democrats’ arsenal as they build the case against Republicans for women voters.
Weekly tracking polls by Gallup show women continue to side with Obama over Romney by a wide margin.
Last spring, Democrats lost the edge on their “war on women” crusade when two things happened.
First, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus accused the party of manufacturing the “war on women,” likening it to the creating of a fictitious “war on caterpillars.” The rhetoric then delved into the absurd.
Then a Democratic pundit accused Ann Romney of “never working a day in her life.” Republicans put Ann Romney front and center to defend herself and other stay-at-home moms and was lauded as a capable spokeswoman on the issue.
As Republicans hone their approach to the “war on women” theme, both strategies — finding ways to ridicule the attack as well as putting forward articulate spokespeople — will likely come into play.
And if that doesn’t work, they’ll just deny the charges.
As one Republican put it: “If you really look into it, they are just off base.”
Akin is a fool. There's nothing the Republicans can do other than distance themselves. The Republicans will likely have to soften their issues on woman's rights after the election and re-group for 2016. If they want to win the White House, they are going to need the female vote.
Dear Democrats:
Keep focusing on Bain, tax returns, war on women etc.
Please, please, please, please.
Sincerely, The Republican Pary
PS. We are going to focus on jobs, economy and deficit spending. You can focus on other things.
SgtRock,
I want to give you and the GOP the benefit of the doubt... please tell us, in some type of detail, what the GOP is going to do increase good paying jobs (for Americans at home), improve the economy (for the middle class, not just the DOW), and cut deficit spending (fairly and across the board).
Ronster, how about you tell us what Obama is going to do other than blame the GOP and focus on anything other than his miserable record.
Akin speaks for the GOP like the libs here speak for sanity. They are both misguided and delusional. I am glad the press gives this idiot more credence than anybody else.
SgtRock,
That's what I thought.
Honorable Congressman Heck, Thank you for your email addressing the misguided statement from your colleague Rep. Aiken. I know that you don't share his views. But Rep Aiken's view is after all mainstream Republican politics circa 2012. With the economy in desperate need of attention, there have been little legislation regarding jobs but many, many abortion bills. That would include HB3 which you supported. HB3 introduced the term "forcible rape". The Republican party has in its platform inserted language which prohibits abortion under ANY circumstance. Dr. Heck, you have a wonderful staff in Washington and in Las Vegas. I know for a fact that you have a diverse staff of every stripe, including a few who are gay. They speak in glowing terms of your character. I believe them. It's your party that scares the daylights out of couples like Robert and myself. If there is a Republican majority in all branches of government, knowing what you know about some of your gay staff and constituents could you support a federal marriage amendment which could destroy not only the lawful marriages in the states that allow them, but also civil unions and Nevada's domestic partnership law? The Republican party platform calls for the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. You are a military man. Has letting people serve openly harmed our military in any way? These service members volunteered because they love our country just like you do. Honorable Dr. Heck, I know this election is supposed to be about the economy. I just wish you belonged to a party that thought more about the economy than social issues over these last 2 years. We wish you well in the next election. Respectfully, Stuart & Robert Wyman-Cahall.