On the campaign trail last month, for example, he drew fire from the social right for saying he would allow his daughter to make a personal decision on getting an abortion. He later corrected his statement to assert that the decision would lie with the family. Once the GOP nomination is wrapped up, Mann predicts, either McCain or Bush will take a more moderate tack on abortion. They'd be nonthreatening to those who feel it's important to have legal access. Meanwhile, other women's health considerations are certain to enter the presidential campaign.
Swing voters are disproportionately women.
It's when the debate gets to these issues that the women's vote becomes particularly important. Altman says that covering the uninsured, the patients' bill of rights, and Medicare prescription drug coverage are especially important issues to women. We are the ones who determine which doctor to take our children to, which insurance to get, and how much money to spend on medical care. Medicare coverage of prescription drugs is of special interest to older women. All rights reserved.