women and politics: how the rest will be won

This weekend, the RNC (Republican National Committee) hosted an all-day summit called Women Winning the West*, organized to bring together in one location, the most active and engaged GOP women from the western states.

The day’s agenda included a morning of presentations from national political players, discussing their respective areas of expertise, followed by smaller workshops addressing the important skills GOP activists and candidates need to be effective. It’s not often that one attends a full-day conference in which every presentation manages to be both engaging and informative, offering the perfect balance of both to the audience.  The RNC summit, however, was exactly that.

The information provided was invaluable, and the summit was, by most accounts, a resounding success!  Not only did participants gain an understanding of the status of the GOP as we move into the 2010 election cycle, but the presenters communicated the importance of women’s voices, skills, and knowledge to our country’s political discourse.

As the saying goes, “all politics are local.”  Thus, the resounding message of this weekend’s summit was to reinforce the important role that each of us can play in our local communities and, by extension, our nation - provided we are only willing to step up to the challenge.

Below are a few highlights from Women Winning the West:


Linda DiVall - President & CEO, American Viewpoint

  • GOP must repair its public image as old, rich, and out of touch
  • For Republicans, tone and demeanor are key to effectively communicating with independent and unaffiliated voters
  • Women make approximately 85% of the purchasing decisions in the U.S.
  • Female candidates are perceived as having a connection to female voters, and understanding those voters’ daily lives

Gentry Collins - RNC Political Director

  • Performance of federal government impacts how voters vote in state elections - even when the state is perceived to be on the right track
  • Voters who have a strong opinion about president’s performance are much more likely to turn out to vote
  • When political parties cannot defend their record or policies, campaigns turn negative and and personal.  Stay tuned for 2010 and 2012.

Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) - website

  • Republican women have a voice in congress and are stepping up to lead - but more voices are needed
  • Across the country, there are inspiring, qualified candidates who are coming forward to make a difference at every level of government. Support these candidates!

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) - website

  • Quite simply, the more women who participate in our nation’s political discourse, the louder and more influential their voices will be
  • The bottom won’t drop out of the United States if healthcare reform is not passed this year.  It will drop out if we pass the wrong thing.
  • “For the Rights of All” is a documentary illustrating what one determined woman was able to accomplish in bringing civil rights to the state of Alaska.  Women can continue to make important strides.

Dana Perino - Fmr. WH Press Secy. (President G.W. Bush) - Twitter

  • Freedom of the press is essential to our political discourse - we must protect it
  • When dealing with media, be: Composed + Smart + Prepared.  Always be the most prepared person in the room
  • Watch and emulate those who deal well with media. They project warmth, authority, and engagement
  • Women should be mindful to speak with confidence, authority, and a strong voice
  • Always respond to erroneous stories and misinformation.  If nothing else, it will prove you know more than they do.
  • Read and watch both liberal- and conservative-leaning media.  Not only will you be more informed about the views of the ‘other side’, you might gain valuable insight that could lead to better solutions.

Check out the RNC Women website for additional summit dates in Hawaii and Ohio.  And support female candidates (or become one) in your local and state races.

- tdc

*The Women Winning the West summit was hosted by RNC Chairman, Michael Steele, and Co-Chairman, Jan Larimer on Saturday, November 14, 2009.