Women's Issues across Party Lines

Making News

Obama and Boehner Discuss the Economy and Fiscal Cliff ()

Faced with the so-called fiscal cliff just three days after his re-election, President Obama today issued a challenge to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. Since "the majority of Americans agree with my approach," he urged that "our job now is to set a majority in Congress to reflect the will of the American people." Earlier, House Speaker John Boehner told reporters there's already been some conversation and expressed hope that "productive conversations can begin soon so that we can forge an agreement that can pass the Congress." But that's not all Boehner had to say.  Paul Kane is Congressional Correspondent for the Washington Post.

Guests:

• Paul Kane: Washington Post

Main Topic

Has the 'Year of the Woman' Finally Arrived? ()

When the new Congress opens for business, a record 20 percent of the Senators will be women. In the House, they've increased their numbers from 52 to 61. The State of New Hampshire will send an all-female delegation to the Senate and Congress.  But women were 53 percent of Tuesday's voters. Are they even close to having a fair share of political power? Why are there are more female Democrats in leadership roles than Republicans? Are there issues that unite women across party lines? We hear more about newly elected women and their prospects for effectiveness in institutions still dominated by men.

Guests:

• Jennifer Duffy: Cook Political Report, @jennifereduffy
• Tali Mendelberg: Princeton University
• Tiffany Dufu: White House Project, @tdufu
• Kate Obenshain: Republican Party of Virginia (formerly), @kateobenshain
• Terry O’Neill: National Organization for Women, @terryoneill

Links:

• Margaret Carlson on women's newly won political power (Bloomberg View)
• Mendelberg on female representation, need for parity as well (NYT op-ed)
• Melody Crowder-Meyer on 'Local Parties, Local Candidates, and Women's Representation'

Reporter's Notebook

Campaign Wizard Karl Rove’s Epic Failure ()

Karl Rove raised hundreds of millions of dollars this year, mostly from rich Republicans, promising to take back the White House and Senate.  It didn't work, and Rove had a hard time facing reality on election night. When Fox News called Ohio for President Obama, Rove — on set as a commentator — refused to believe it. A camera followed Anchorwoman Megyn Kelly into a room full of number crunchers who said there was not doubt. In the conversation that followed, Rove cautioned that "It's just in terms of public perception, it looks a little odd to be making a call." Wayne Slater is senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News and co-author of Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential.

Guests:

• Wayne Slater: Dallas Morning News, @WayneSlater