Women are front and center at Democratic convention

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Where but the women’s caucus of the Democratic National Convention would someone compare Mitt Romney to an expensive but unwearable shoe?

On Thursday morning, party activist Jehmu Greene told hundreds of delegates that she had packed all kinds of fancy high heels for Charlotte, but had worn only one pair of shoes: her comfortable tennies.

The “pretty shoes” she never wore, she said, reminded her of the Republican presidential nominee. “In Tampa, they tried to put a nice little package on him, tried to make him seem so yummy, so desirable. This country can’t put those shoes on in November.”

PHOTOS: 2012 Democratic National Convention

And so it goes here in Charlotte, where women are in the forefront — on the convention stage, in prime time, in analogies, behind the scenes.

Lilly Ledbetter, whose name is emblazoned on the equal-pay act signed into law by President Obama, has been everywhere — onstage, at panel discussions, in caucus meetings. So too has Sandra Fluke, the law school graduate who was vaulted to fame after Rush Limbaugh called her a “slut” for demanding that health insurers be required to pay for contraception.

After the convention’s opening night program showcased two dozen Democratic women of the House of Representatives, the conservative columnist and CNN contributor Erick Erickson angered Democrats when he tweeted, “First night of the Vagina Monologues in Charlotte going as expected.”

The high profile of women at the convention is partly driven by a renewed debate over the so-called women’s issues that many believed were settled long ago, such as the definition of rape or rules governing health coverage for contraception. But it is also aimed squarely at one undeniable truth about this race: As usual, women are expected to decide who wins the White House.

“Keep in mind that in 2008, 10 million more women than men voted in this country,” said EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock during an interview here. “I think it’s great to see both conventions gearing more towards women, but this is how it should be.” (EMILY’s List trains and supports female abortion rights candidates for state and national office.)

Former Republican strategist Nicolle Wallace agreed.

“Politicians are always talking to women,” said Wallace, who worked in the George W. Bush White House and was a senior advisor to John McCain’s presidential campaign.

Speaking from New York, she said: “Four years ago, the pursuit of the female vote is what led John McCain to Sarah Palin, but what’s interesting to me is that each side is talking to different groups of women. Ann Romney’s speech was aimed at women of her generation. Sandra Fluke was trying to evoke a new generation of reproductive freedom warriors.”

Like those watching the gathering in Charlotte, viewers who tuned in to the Republican convention in Tampa, Fla., last week saw a parade of women, both private citizens and public officials, featured in prime-time speaking roles, making overt appeals to women.

In her well-received convention speech, Ann Romney got right to the point: “I love you women!” she sang out. Here, a group of two dozen congresswomen and congressional candidates, in brightly colored suits and dresses, stood together onstage the convention’s first night.

Polls show that Obama has a strong advantage among women. Romney’s advantage is among men, particularly blue-collar white voters, who have become a reliable Republican bloc.

In a USC Annenberg/Los Angeles Times poll taken shortly before the conventions, Obama was up 8 percentage points among female voters, 51% to 43%. Romney was up 4 percentage points among male voters, 48% to 44%.

If Romney is to win in November, he will have to narrow that gap, and focus on the narrow slice of independent female voters in battleground states who have not yet made up their minds.

“I understand that they’re trying to do that,” said Sue Dvorsky, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, as she stood on the convention floor Wednesday night, shortly before former President Clinton spoke. “But there’s always been a gender gap because the policy’s on our side.”

Last summer, Schriock said, EMILY’s List queried independent female voters about the budget proposed by Romney’s running mate, Rep. Paul D. Ryan, which would reduce taxes and slash spending on social services.

“When you walk through these issues in a factual way, 60% to 65% of them say it’s a reason to vote against Republicans,” she said.

A woman who cares first and foremost about “reproductive freedom” will probably not vote Republican, Wallace said. “But if you and your husband are out of work and the kids used to go to private school and now they go to public school, or they used to have swim and dance lessons, your most urgent issue is your family’s economic security.”

Those are the voters, she said, who must be persuaded by Romney. But, she added, “you must listen to them before you speak to them.”

Romney campaign officials say that by focusing on the issues women care about most — jobs and the economy — Romney can narrow the gender gap.

“Women have suffered disproportionately under President Obama, with women in the workplace suffering historic setbacks,” said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul. “Nearly 6 million women are unemployed, and the poverty rate among women is at levels not seen in nearly two decades. Mitt Romney has and will continue to focus on the issues women care about the most: growing the economy, reducing our debt and securing a more prosperous future for our children and their children.”

robin.abcarian@latimes.com