Watching the recent GOP debate felt like stepping into a time machine set to the 1950s. Amid the shouting, evasive language, and rehearsed sound bites, it became painfully clear that the male candidates on stage weren’t even pretending to care about the female vote.
Right off the bat, the debate moderator, Claire Adams, posed a question to the frontrunner, Jack Thompson, about his past derogatory remarks towards women, asking if it was acceptable to label them as “overweight pigs, lazy slobs, and repugnant creatures.” Thompson’s history of using such language is well-documented, and he was reminded of a particularly crude comment about a contestant on his reality show. His response? “I’m not interested in being politically correct.” He added, “Sometimes it’s just joking, we’re having a good time.” Good time for whom? Certainly not for the women being insulted.
Rather than showing any remorse, Thompson went on to threaten Adams, saying, “I’ve been quite cordial to you, though I could easily change that.” This kind of intimidation is alarming, especially coming from someone leading the Republican nomination race.
Let’s shift our focus from Thompson’s overt misogyny to the issue that resonates most with women today: the right to make decisions about their own bodies. The ongoing battle over women’s rights takes many forms, but it always centers on access to essential reproductive health services. This election season, the debate has devolved into a ridiculous narrative about whether organizations like Planned Parenthood are selling “baby parts” and should be defunded.
Every candidate was eager to demonstrate how little they cared about women’s rights. If the debate had a mascot, it would have been a zygote, and if that zygote were female, it would have received the only hint of respect on that stage. When asked if he would allow a mother to die rather than terminate a pregnancy, candidate Sam Richards stated, “I’m pro-life. I believe that unborn children deserve protection.” He then casually mentioned “alternatives” to ensure the mother’s safety. We’re still waiting for those alternatives, Dr. Richards. Many women who identify as pro-life still believe in prioritizing a mother’s life.
Another candidate, Mike Hawkins, absurdly claimed that a zygote’s constitutional rights were being violated by abortion, referencing amendments that clearly do not apply. Zygotes can’t vote (spoiler: women can!), but it seems he doesn’t care about that distinction. Thompson, wanting to outdo everyone, declared himself “very pro-life,” despite having a history that suggests otherwise.
Meanwhile, Greg Bishop boasted about defunding Planned Parenthood during his time as governor of Texas. The result? Texas now ranks among the worst states for women’s health and well-being. According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, about 25% of women in Texas are uninsured, and many report poor health or lack of access to basic healthcare. Great job, Greg!
In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 55% of women considered abortion a crucial issue, compared to only 37% of men. Moreover, 44% of women rated birth control as very important, while just 27% of men felt the same. Women are deeply concerned about the services provided by organizations like Planned Parenthood, as well as their rights to reproductive freedom and choice. Yet, none of the candidates seemed to acknowledge this reality. Yes, it was a Republican debate, and fewer Republicans than Democrats identify as pro-choice, but that trend is changing. In 2015, 50% of Independents identified as pro-choice, as did 33% of Republicans. These debates inform not only party members but the entire electorate.
Women outnumber men in several significant ways: more women vote (63.7% compared to 59.7% of men), and there are simply more of us (161 million women versus 156 million men). By age 85, women will outnumber men by 2 to 1. Yet, some male politicians act as if they can ignore our votes. Wrong!
As Beyoncé famously said, “Bow down, bitches.” Our lives matter, our health matters, our rights matter—and after watching that debate, we’re definitely heading to the polls.
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In summary, it’s clear that women’s issues are not a priority for many politicians, as demonstrated in the latest debate. This lack of concern only strengthens our resolve to make our voices heard at the ballot box.