MY PARTNER, THE STATE

Democrat leaders to woo single women (Gary Younge, August 9, 2003, The Guardian)

Nicknamed the "Sex in the City voters", single women are less likely to turn up to the polls than married women but more likely to vote Democrat if they do: a potentially rich source of votes if the Democrats can tap their concerns.

Previously the party's pollsters concentrated on the gap between men, who tend to vote Republican, and women, who are more likely to vote Democrat. But further examination shows that there is a greater difference between married and single women than between men and women.

George Bush has a one percentage point lead among married women in 2000, while single women went for the Democrat Al Gore by 31%.

The trouble is that while 62% of married women went to the polls in 2000, only 43% of singles did. Given how tight the race was three years ago, urging more singles to get to the ballot box will be a crucial issue for the Democrats.

"This split has always existed," said Kellyanne Conway, president of WomenTrend, an organisation which tracks women's attitudes and political concerns. [...]

"Sex in the City voters are looking for some of the security they are missing in their daily lives," Ms Conway said.

"They're not just concerned with military security, but kitchen table economic security and social security. The government is a partner or safety net when you are going it alone. For women without husbands, Uncle Sam and Big brother are their greatest protectors."

Once they get married and have children, however, things begin to change. "It's all about the four Ms," Ms Conway said. "Marriage, munchkins, mortgages and mutual funds. Once they have those they become a little bit more conservative and start to tilt towards the Republicans."

The question is: can a Party that's dependent on the most rootless and dependent people in the nation then turn around and work to create a decent society, or does it just have to keep pumping up the State?

This also suggests why universal suffrage is ultimately incompatible with freedom. The elements Ms Conway lists would make suitable eligibility tests for prospective voters. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 8, 2003 11:49 PM