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| Pennsylvania women cool on Romney but Obama offers glimmer of hope | Pennsylvania women cool on Romney but Obama offers glimmer of hope |
| (4 months later) | |
| Cheryl Bowan, a divorced mother of three boys – William, 19, Micah, 16, and Joshua, 10 – from Butler County, Pennsylvania, is a registered Republican. An emergency medical technician from a military family, she voted for Barack Obama in 2008 because he promised to bring her friends and relatives home from Iraq. Four years later, as the election looms, she has not yet decided which way to turn, making her one of the most highly sought-after voters for both presidential candidates. | Cheryl Bowan, a divorced mother of three boys – William, 19, Micah, 16, and Joshua, 10 – from Butler County, Pennsylvania, is a registered Republican. An emergency medical technician from a military family, she voted for Barack Obama in 2008 because he promised to bring her friends and relatives home from Iraq. Four years later, as the election looms, she has not yet decided which way to turn, making her one of the most highly sought-after voters for both presidential candidates. |
| Women account for more than half of all US voters, are more reliable in turning up at the polls than men and so are more coveted. They also vote differently, a gender gap that both sides has sought to exploit, from Obama's accusations of a Republican "war on women" to Mitt Romney's latest ads featuring a mother telling her baby daughter how much of Obama's national debt she owes. | Women account for more than half of all US voters, are more reliable in turning up at the polls than men and so are more coveted. They also vote differently, a gender gap that both sides has sought to exploit, from Obama's accusations of a Republican "war on women" to Mitt Romney's latest ads featuring a mother telling her baby daughter how much of Obama's national debt she owes. |
| This week, the stakes in the battle for female voters have soared to their highest level yet, after a poll suggested that for the first time in the race, Obama's traditionally comfortable lead among women had slipped. | This week, the stakes in the battle for female voters have soared to their highest level yet, after a poll suggested that for the first time in the race, Obama's traditionally comfortable lead among women had slipped. |
| But are the candidates addressing the concerns of undecided women like Bowan, a group crucial to winning the election, particularly in swing states? Did Obama's lacklustre debate performance lose him his previous advantage among them? | But are the candidates addressing the concerns of undecided women like Bowan, a group crucial to winning the election, particularly in swing states? Did Obama's lacklustre debate performance lose him his previous advantage among them? |
| The Guardian spoke to five women from Pennsylvania who have yet to make up their minds, to find out about the issues they care about as they approach November's election. They include three registered Republicans, one Democrat and one independent voter. | The Guardian spoke to five women from Pennsylvania who have yet to make up their minds, to find out about the issues they care about as they approach November's election. They include three registered Republicans, one Democrat and one independent voter. |
| Pennsylvania has had a particularly marked gender gap in the last two elections. In 2008 and in 2004, women voted Democrat by 15 and 14 points more, respectively, than men did. | Pennsylvania has had a particularly marked gender gap in the last two elections. In 2008 and in 2004, women voted Democrat by 15 and 14 points more, respectively, than men did. |
| No Republican nominee has won the state since George Bush Sr in 1988, but recent polls have suggested the race is tightening, with Obama ahead by just 4.5 points, and the Romney campaign is still active there, with the Republican candidate visiting Philadelphia two weeks ago. | No Republican nominee has won the state since George Bush Sr in 1988, but recent polls have suggested the race is tightening, with Obama ahead by just 4.5 points, and the Romney campaign is still active there, with the Republican candidate visiting Philadelphia two weeks ago. |
| Another poll by the Philadelphia Inquirer, has Mitt Romney winning among men by five points, but Obama is in the lead owing to a massive 18-point lead among women. | Another poll by the Philadelphia Inquirer, has Mitt Romney winning among men by five points, but Obama is in the lead owing to a massive 18-point lead among women. |
| All expressed dissatisfaction with the level of debate so far, both in how the issues have been discussed and with the candidates. It was a case of "which one you hate less", one woman said. Last week's presidential debate had no bearing on their vote, they said, although all but one described it as unilluminating. | All expressed dissatisfaction with the level of debate so far, both in how the issues have been discussed and with the candidates. It was a case of "which one you hate less", one woman said. Last week's presidential debate had no bearing on their vote, they said, although all but one described it as unilluminating. |
| Interestingly, not one of the five listed social issues as being among their main concerns. Instead, healthcare and the economy came top, with three out of five women citing those as among their most important issues. Most believe the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not enough to provide healthcare for all. | Interestingly, not one of the five listed social issues as being among their main concerns. Instead, healthcare and the economy came top, with three out of five women citing those as among their most important issues. Most believe the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not enough to provide healthcare for all. |
| This chimed with a recent Pew Research Center poll, which found that the gender divide was driven by a debate over the size of the government, what it should be doing for the poor, the elderly and the size of the safety net. The women, who were interviewed twice, six weeks to eight weeks apart, to find out if their opinions on the candidates had altered, also worried about partisan bickering in Congress holding up progress. | This chimed with a recent Pew Research Center poll, which found that the gender divide was driven by a debate over the size of the government, what it should be doing for the poor, the elderly and the size of the safety net. The women, who were interviewed twice, six weeks to eight weeks apart, to find out if their opinions on the candidates had altered, also worried about partisan bickering in Congress holding up progress. |
| In the last few weeks, one of the Republicans decided to vote for Obama, while two others said they were leaning that way. | In the last few weeks, one of the Republicans decided to vote for Obama, while two others said they were leaning that way. |
| Cheryl Bowan, 42, who is currently seeking temporary work before going to college to gain more qualifications, lists affordable healthcare for all as her No 1 priority, followed by the economy and care for veterans. Bowan said: "Obama's healthcare bill is a mixed thing. It's good on the surface because it's great he wants to make sure everybody is insured. But it doesn't go far enough. Medical costs are outrageous." | Cheryl Bowan, 42, who is currently seeking temporary work before going to college to gain more qualifications, lists affordable healthcare for all as her No 1 priority, followed by the economy and care for veterans. Bowan said: "Obama's healthcare bill is a mixed thing. It's good on the surface because it's great he wants to make sure everybody is insured. But it doesn't go far enough. Medical costs are outrageous." |
| Bowan said she has met families in poverty who are forced to "rely on home remedies like lemon tea and cinnamon for a child's cough – and it turns out that the child has advanced bronchitis". | Bowan said she has met families in poverty who are forced to "rely on home remedies like lemon tea and cinnamon for a child's cough – and it turns out that the child has advanced bronchitis". |
| She said she would like to see a healthcare system like the NHS in the UK. | She said she would like to see a healthcare system like the NHS in the UK. |
| "Romney wants to tear it all apart. I'm not happy with the way it is but I'm tending towards a guy who is listening to what people are saying." | "Romney wants to tear it all apart. I'm not happy with the way it is but I'm tending towards a guy who is listening to what people are saying." |
| She found the presidential debate frustrating, particularly because "Romney gave no clear answer about where we are going to end up." | She found the presidential debate frustrating, particularly because "Romney gave no clear answer about where we are going to end up." |
| Shireen Parsons, 68, a grandmother and community organiser from Summit Hill, Carbon County, also lists healthcare as one of her top concerns. An independent, she also sees a "more humane economy", a social structure which helps the homeless and the unemployed and an end to US participation in foreign wars as important to her vote. | Shireen Parsons, 68, a grandmother and community organiser from Summit Hill, Carbon County, also lists healthcare as one of her top concerns. An independent, she also sees a "more humane economy", a social structure which helps the homeless and the unemployed and an end to US participation in foreign wars as important to her vote. |
| "I see a glimmer of hope in Obama," said Parsons. "He's a passionate speaker. But the Affordable Care Act? It was going to be healthcare for everyone – but it's not. It's just a giveaway to the insurance companies. For-profit corporations should be cut out of healthcare. We need a real, socialised healthcare where the government pays for it. In Canada, they have excellent doctors and excellent care." | "I see a glimmer of hope in Obama," said Parsons. "He's a passionate speaker. But the Affordable Care Act? It was going to be healthcare for everyone – but it's not. It's just a giveaway to the insurance companies. For-profit corporations should be cut out of healthcare. We need a real, socialised healthcare where the government pays for it. In Canada, they have excellent doctors and excellent care." |
| Last week's debate was "bad", she said. "I don't see anything in either of them, in terms of solving our problems." | Last week's debate was "bad", she said. "I don't see anything in either of them, in terms of solving our problems." |
| Parsons, whose father died in the second world war, also voted for Obama in 2008, because he promised to bring home troops from Iraq, but now fears a war with Iran. She is disillusioned with the party system and feels her vote won't change anything. | Parsons, whose father died in the second world war, also voted for Obama in 2008, because he promised to bring home troops from Iraq, but now fears a war with Iran. She is disillusioned with the party system and feels her vote won't change anything. |
| "People here are jobless and hungry and without homes and the military are spending millions of dollars in wars that are nothing but empire building. I have relatives in Iran and it makes me sick the thought of us going to war there." | "People here are jobless and hungry and without homes and the military are spending millions of dollars in wars that are nothing but empire building. I have relatives in Iran and it makes me sick the thought of us going to war there." |
| Joanne Quinn-Smith, a talkshow host, publisher of an online news network and CEO of a marketing company, is a registered Democrat from Pittsburgh, and says she votes on the issues, not the candidates. | Joanne Quinn-Smith, a talkshow host, publisher of an online news network and CEO of a marketing company, is a registered Democrat from Pittsburgh, and says she votes on the issues, not the candidates. |
| "I'm still looking for answers," said Quinn-Smith, 63, a great-grandmother. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the best of both candidates? Romney has the ability to drive business effectively and Obama seems to have the common touch. He realises what's going on in the country right now in terms of people who are marginalised." | "I'm still looking for answers," said Quinn-Smith, 63, a great-grandmother. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the best of both candidates? Romney has the ability to drive business effectively and Obama seems to have the common touch. He realises what's going on in the country right now in terms of people who are marginalised." |
| She saw Obama's much-criticised debate performance as "an indication he is used to listening to his advisers – he was not as sharp an attacker." But it failed to sway her one way or the other. "I am waiting for the vice-presidential debate," she said. | She saw Obama's much-criticised debate performance as "an indication he is used to listening to his advisers – he was not as sharp an attacker." But it failed to sway her one way or the other. "I am waiting for the vice-presidential debate," she said. |
| Her three big concerns are affordable healthcare, reducing national debt and ridding elections of the corporate interest funding she says ruin them. | Her three big concerns are affordable healthcare, reducing national debt and ridding elections of the corporate interest funding she says ruin them. |
| Despite her support for the ACA, Quinn-Smith, the PR director for National Association for Women Business Owners (Nawbo) in Pittsburgh, says there is a "lot of confusion" among her members about the details of how it will work and who will pay for it. She too, is unhappy with the electoral system. | Despite her support for the ACA, Quinn-Smith, the PR director for National Association for Women Business Owners (Nawbo) in Pittsburgh, says there is a "lot of confusion" among her members about the details of how it will work and who will pay for it. She too, is unhappy with the electoral system. |
| "The way we elect our president has been a challenge for a long time. The people don't elect the president. Money, the media and our lack of educating ourselves elect the president. If we are all sitting watching reality shows rather than investigating the issues, we get what we deserve." | "The way we elect our president has been a challenge for a long time. The people don't elect the president. Money, the media and our lack of educating ourselves elect the president. If we are all sitting watching reality shows rather than investigating the issues, we get what we deserve." |
| She said she would vote for someone who was not influenced by campaign donations. | She said she would vote for someone who was not influenced by campaign donations. |
| Judy Beck, 52, a grandmother and divorced mother of three from O'Hara township in Allegheny County, is "principally a Republican" because of her belief in less government, she said. But in the last few weeks, she has made up her mind to vote for President Obama. | Judy Beck, 52, a grandmother and divorced mother of three from O'Hara township in Allegheny County, is "principally a Republican" because of her belief in less government, she said. But in the last few weeks, she has made up her mind to vote for President Obama. |
| "I've realised Mitt Romney is a narrow-minded person who wants to go backwards," said Beck. "He is not interested in how women think." | "I've realised Mitt Romney is a narrow-minded person who wants to go backwards," said Beck. "He is not interested in how women think." |
| The crunch came, she said, when he picked a "white male with similar views" as a running mate. | The crunch came, she said, when he picked a "white male with similar views" as a running mate. |
| "He's wealthy, he's led a sheltered life, and doesn't realise that everyone is not the same. Although I don't like everything Obama is about, he does listen to people." | "He's wealthy, he's led a sheltered life, and doesn't realise that everyone is not the same. Although I don't like everything Obama is about, he does listen to people." |
| Beck, a freelance paralegal, felt neither candidate did well in the debate last week. "It was painful," she said, and she was "amazed" when Romney was voted the winner. "He didn't look that good to me or some of the people I know. He was whiney and defensive." | Beck, a freelance paralegal, felt neither candidate did well in the debate last week. "It was painful," she said, and she was "amazed" when Romney was voted the winner. "He didn't look that good to me or some of the people I know. He was whiney and defensive." |
| She lists her top issues as the economy, foreign policy and the partisan make-up of the House of Representatives. If it were possible to predict who get the majority in the Senate and the House, Beck said, she would be tempted to vote for the party in charge. | She lists her top issues as the economy, foreign policy and the partisan make-up of the House of Representatives. If it were possible to predict who get the majority in the Senate and the House, Beck said, she would be tempted to vote for the party in charge. |
| "I've seen in the past how things work when it is divided when the government practically had to shut down." | "I've seen in the past how things work when it is divided when the government practically had to shut down." |
| Briana Mihok, 32, a policy analyst for a non-profit research company at the University of Pittsburgh and mother of one, is a registered Republican. She cites the economy, investment in infrastructure, and bipartisan compromise as most important to her vote. | Briana Mihok, 32, a policy analyst for a non-profit research company at the University of Pittsburgh and mother of one, is a registered Republican. She cites the economy, investment in infrastructure, and bipartisan compromise as most important to her vote. |
| "Part of why I'm undecided is because I haven't seen any evidence that either candidate has any ideas in moving the country forward in the right direction," she said. "We don't hear candidates talking about practicalities; we hear them talking about ideas, and the details are always missing." | "Part of why I'm undecided is because I haven't seen any evidence that either candidate has any ideas in moving the country forward in the right direction," she said. "We don't hear candidates talking about practicalities; we hear them talking about ideas, and the details are always missing." |
| "One of the biggest problems in getting anything done is the lack of co-operation within Congress and the White House. Any evidence that the candidates can work together would interest me." | "One of the biggest problems in getting anything done is the lack of co-operation within Congress and the White House. Any evidence that the candidates can work together would interest me." |
| She too, found herself "leaning towards Obama' in recent weeks, she said, and was "one of the minority, I guess" who liked his debate performance. | She too, found herself "leaning towards Obama' in recent weeks, she said, and was "one of the minority, I guess" who liked his debate performance. |
| "I like what I heard him say. I thought his performance came across as more authentic." | "I like what I heard him say. I thought his performance came across as more authentic." |
| • Additional reporting by Harry Enten | • Additional reporting by Harry Enten |
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