Republicans Reach For Mom Vote

Is it just me or does the election so far remind you of the 2012 Academy Awards when all the winners thanked their mothers? Remember, pregnant best actress Oscar-winner Natalie Portman thanked her parents for “giving her life” and best director, Tom Hooper, thanked his mother for pointing him to a story that would become the King’s Speech.

Or maybe it’s the red carpet and flashing cameras and Mitt Romney’s handsome slicked back hair with a touch of grey and a lot of gel that made the Republican National Convention (RNC) feel like I was watching the Oscars all over again. Or maybe it was the overacting, the standing ovations, the glamour of it all, Ann Romney’s fashionably understated bright red belted dress designed by Oscar de la Renta that matched her lipstick and nail polish.

Or maybe it was American Idol winner Taylor Hicks singing my favorite Doobie Brothers song “Takin’ It To The Streets” and the down pouring of red, white and blue balloons that fell from the sky at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa amidst the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

Or maybe it was the speeches. I’d like to meet the ghostwriters who get paid big bucks to eloquently craft words that reach out to the target women voters and grab us by our purse strings, literally, as in providing discussion about issues that matter most, namely the economy and education.

Crucial in this election is the women vote, particularly single moms who are one of the fastest-growing voter segments in the nation and a significant number of them are independent, undecided voters who could help determine the next leader in the White House. In polls, Romney trails Obama in the female votes, but maybe not for long. Who knows.

If Ann Romney has anything to do with it–and she is considered the “secret  weapon” in this election–her  high school sweetheart of 38 years will get the female stamp of approval. On a mission to humanize her husband to the American people, she made her national debut at the RNC and set the stage when it comes to reaching moms, although her comments about her husband “whacking” their five sons’ “bums” doesn’t really help matters. What did strike home was her candid sharing about her marriage, her faith, and how she survived breast cancer.

Some of my favorite quotes about motherhood:

Ann Romney:
“I love you women! And I hear your voices.”

“If you listen carefully, you’ll hear the women sighing a little bit more than the men. It’s how it is, isn’t it? It’s the moms who always have to work a little harder, to make everything right.”

“It’s the moms of this nation — single, married, widowed — who really hold this country together. We’re the mothers, we’re the wives, we’re the grandmothers, we’re the big sisters, we’re the little sisters, and we’re the daughters.”

Mitt Romney, whose mother Lenore ran for the Senate in 1970, appeals to the working moms with comments like this:

“As governor of Massachusetts, I chose a woman lieutenant governor, a woman chief of staff, half of my cabinet and senior officials were women, and in business, I mentored and supported great women leaders who went on to run great companies.”

“ Moms are what raised us, we need support from our parents without them none of this is possible.”

Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan chimed in with a tear in his eye.
“And to this day, my mom is my role model.”

Even Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State for the Bush Administration, had these words to say:

“My mom was a teacher – I have the greatest respect for the profession – we need great teachers – not poor or mediocre ones. We need to have high standards for our students – self-esteem comes from achievement not from lax standards and false praise.”

“And we need to give parents greater choice – particularly poor parents whose kids – most often minorities are trapped in failing neighborhood schools. This is the civil rights struggle of our day.”

So let the games begin…and I’m not talking about the Olympics.

I’m hardly a political analyst; I’m just trying to make sense of it all. In Election 2008, I couldn’t make up my mind, either. In fact, I participated in the unscientific 7-11 poll, in which I purchased coffee (with cream) in a blue cup for Obama; coffee  (black, I didn’t want to appear prejudice) in a red cup for McCain; and coffee (with soy) in a white cup for uncommitted, which was no easy task carrying all three hot drinks back to the car.

For the latest coverage of the presidential race, especially as it applies to moms, I’m following the bloggers at Cafe Mom.

What do you think about the election so far?