2024 Election: ‘It’s the Women, Stupid.’

By Colleen O’Connor

“It’s the economy, stupid,” a phrase coined by Bill Clinton strategist, James Carville in 1992, defined that election and defeated President George W. Bush.

The 2024 election, however, will not be about the economy.  Inflation is hot again (nothing new); rents and housing are expensive.  The price of gas and food (kept out of the inflation stats) are already baked in.

Women know about these costs while trying to put “food on the table.”  They know about good and evil.  Historically, they have always been the “moral guardians” of the country from anti-slavery to the right to vote, the right to education, and the right to divorce.

Now their reproductive rights are at risk.  A bitter assault on personal, private decisions.

The 2024 election will be about and for women.  Those against will surely lose.

Look at the outcomes and gains since the U.S. Supreme Court overruled the 50-year rights of women’s reproductive choices enshrined in Roe v. Wade. Dozens of statehouses have banned abortion (regardless of rape or incest or even health of the woman) despite huge popular opposition.

Many have proposed even more stringent ideas, i.e., banning IVF, birth control pills, and a push to declare personhood at the time of conception.

Yet, every state that has put a woman’s right to choose on the ballot, has won.  The most recent example, in that reddest of red states, Alabama.  And it wasn’t even close.

Now, the Arizona State Supreme Court has gone even farther, ruling that an 1864 Civil War prohibits ruled “all abortions, except those necessary to save a woman’s life, are illegal.”  No exceptions for rape or incest.  Any doctors adding the patient, will be subject to jail. This law resurrected from the Civil War era, is designed to push woman back into a patriarchal history of repression.  The backlash has been quick and determined.

Arizona’s Governor and Attorney General (both women) are refusing to enforce the Court’s verdict and support an initiative drive to overturn that ruling. Already over 500,000 signatures have been gathered, exceeding the 300,000 required for the ballot this November.

This referendum, too, will result in women’s favor.  In 2024, women have become a political force not seen since the Suffragettes, the #MeToo movement and Civil Rights.

It is not just about abortion.  Nancy Pelosi and Elizabeth Warren have both signed on to cease U.S. military aid to Israel over the deaths of innocents and near starvation in Gaza.

Other women who have faced down threats, kidnapping attempts, lawsuits, verbal abuse and tackling an ex-President’s 88 different indictments for financial fraud, an attempt to overthrow the election, etc. are now household names.

Fulton County Georgia DA, Fani Willis overseeing the Georgia fake electors’ case. New York AG, Letitia James, in charge the NY Trump Org. financial fraud case.

Retired federal Judge Barbara Jones, overseeing all financial transactions of Trump Organization and properties.

It’s not just politics where women are breaking through old barriers and dominating.  Sports and Entertainment as well.

Entertainment

Greta Gerwig’s movie ,“Barbie” was a billion-dollar plus sensation. Singer, Taylor Swift’s recent concert, movie and road shows crowned her with billionaire status.

Sports.  The recent Women’s National Basketball Association playoffs topped all audience records, posting a 17-year viewership high on ESPN as women’s sports continues growth. Already, Caitlin Clark’s popularity is driving ticket sales up by 151% from last year and she hasn’t been drafted, yet.  WNBA posts 17-year viewership high on ESPN as women’s sports grows.

Her popularity has accomplished for women’s basketball what Billie Jean King did for women’s tennis.  Better greater coverage, better pay and respect.

And then there is the woman that started the ball rolling, Stormy Daniels.

The hush money trial that was part of an attempt to interfere in the 2020 presidential election may be the single case that comes to trial before this election. The unprecedented case is the first of Trump’s four criminal cases to go to trial—and may be the only one to wrap up before the November election. Trump’s many court filings for delays, appeals, and gag orders may come down to the woman who started it all.  Stormy Daniels.

Date set for Monday, April 14th.

What irony. “It’s the Women, Stupid” who will decide in 2024.

Politics….!!!Alabama…Arizona…etc, all numbers on ballot