GOP Seeks to Erase 'War on Women' Label

With Pointed Rebuttals, Candidates Fight Democratic Efforts to Portray Republican Stances as Harmful to Key Voters

By Beth Reinhard and Kristina Peterson
WSJ, April 18, 2014 7:07 p.m. ET

Wary of being on the losing side of the gender gap, Republican candidates are working to repel Democratic efforts to portray GOP policy on abortion, equal-pay laws and other matters as harmful to women.

In Colorado, Reps. Cory Gardner and Mike Coffman withdrew their support last month for "personhood" proposals that could limit access to birth control. In Virginia Rep. Scott Rigell hosted his first "women's symposium" last month.

Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land of Michigan disputes President Barack Obama's criticism of her this month for saying women "are more interested in flexibility in a job than pay.'' Ms. Land points to newly published comments from the wife of Mr. Obama's press secretary to support her point.

But the primary response to the Democratic line of attack has been to assail Mr. Obama's signature health-care law. Republicans argue the law is hurting women by increasing out-of-pocket costs, canceling existing health plans and limiting their choice of doctors.

(More here.)