Dole Looks To Boost Appeal Among Women Voters

By Candy Crowley/CNN

WASHINGTON (May 8) -- It was just the kind of connection a guy with a gender gap needs.

"This would be a pretty good place to take a poll," said Sen. Robert Dole, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Outside this room full of Republican women, however, the polls are considerably less encouraging for the GOP nominee.

In late April, among women voters, President Bill Clinton led Dole by about 30 points. That's more of a gulf than a gap.

"Does this bother me, you betcha it does," Dole said. "I don't believe there should be a gender gap, I think that gap will close. Do I have a plan to do (that)? Yes, I do (96k WAV sound)."

Part of the plan is to acquaint voters with the Dole record, which his staff says is strongly pro-female and pro-family (192K WAV sound).

"It is a record that includes offering the Women's Equal Opportunity Act and part of the 1994 Crime Bill that changed the laws to make it easier to convict repeat rapists," said Dole. "It is a record that includes full funding for the first time in history for the Women Against Violence Act. It is a record for fighting for a balanced budget, for lower taxes, for better schools. These are all your issues, they are my issues."

Dole staffers say another part of the plan is to remind voters that the Kansas senator practices what he preaches. He has a long history of hiring and promoting women. His chief of staff and many top campaign staffers are female. And, as Dole frequently mentions, his wife Elizabeth is a lawyer with a long record of accomplishments.

Not mentioned Tuesday evening was the abortion issue. Dole is against abortion with some exceptions, though he often adds the party has room for differing views. His aides are convinced abortion is not a make-or-break issue in their attempts to narrow the gender gap and attract more support from women.

This story originally appeared on CNN's "Inside Politics."

Copyright © 1997 AllPolitics All Rights Reserved
Terms under which this information is provided to you