The 2000 gender gap was minimal last fall, but it's grown considerably since then. This gender gap in vote preferences exists because men and women differ in their political allegiances. In some cases these differences seem to be a function of women' s greater interest in an activist government. But even when opinions on the issues differ, the divisions go only so far. Women are more likely than men to favor increased federal spending on education, but majorities of both sexes do support the idea.
Men are more likely to support the death penalty, but again, majorities of both sexes support it.
And majorities of both sexes say homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the military, though more women feel that way than men. Ideological differences don't have great impact, either. Women are no more apt than men to call themselves liberals. They're six points more likely to be moderates rather than conservatives, but this accounts for relatively little of the gender gap. The first difference that does count in explaining the gender gap involves views of the role of government.