Reagan's Secret Plan to Bridge the Gender Gap
Levine, Art
Reagan's Secret Plan to Bridge the Gender Gap By Art Levine The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC TO: The President FROM: Michael Deaver RE: Gender gap strategy Women:...
...Thus, welfare for single mothers might be dubbed "an allowance for Daddy's little darlings," and you might call the national debt "America s own persona credit card...
...In 1980, they cast six million more votes than men, and if they continue to distrust Republicans-and you, Mr...
...Although we don't know why yet, it seems that many women resent being called "girls" or other affectionate terms...
...So as Nancy window-shops or tries on new dresses, we want to show you standing by supportively...
...Fortunately, we've got a lot of hidden psychological issues going for us...
...Art Levine is an associate editor of Mole, and a contributing editor of The Washington Monthly...
...It will help us cement our image as a youthful, forward-looking party in tune with the aspirations of women if we can get Selleck on our team...
...Also, it' Steinem, not Mrs...
...Women adore men who will gladly listen to their complaints and concerns...
...So, whether it's Helen Caldicott protesting nuclear arms or Gloria Steinem demanding passage of the ERA, we urge you to listen to them without gettin bored...
...or Miss...
...Let's go shopping, honey" is one phrase American women never tire of...
...So, at the meeting next month with the League of Women Voters, we recommend that you don't say, "You're the prettiest bunch of gals I've seen in a long, long time...
...Also, bring Nancy to chat with her about hairdo's, clothing and makeup...
...Here's how: PICK TOM SELLECK AS VICE PRESIDENT Tom Selleck is the handsome, mustachioed star of "Magnum, P.1" and a favorite with women of all ages...
...Taking out the garbage, making a bed or two (Bob Dole does it for Libby), and washing dishes after a big state dinner will all go a long way towards showing your sensitivity to women's concerns...
...These days, women resent that men don't do their fair share of domestic chores...
...DO THE DISHES As you know, Gerald Ford got incredible mileage out of making his own muffins...
...Women are still looking for big, strong, sexy men who will be good providers and treat them well...
...If you keep these pointers firmly in mind, we're confident that our plan to win the women's vote-or "Operation Feetsweep," as we call it-will be a rousing success...
...Their anger over traditional sex roles focused on what they saw as "sexist" behavior by men, which included everything from our use of terms like "gal," "chick," or "broad,"to ~Uressive sexual b vior by men...
...Get back to me on this as soon as you can...
...That sums up the current impasse between the Republican Party and women, who now comprise 53 percent of the electorate...
...The aim is to show you're sympathetic with her goals and those of her supporters...
...Special note: when speaking to Gloria Steinem, don't ask, "How are the kids...
...too...
...We also believe you need to make high-profile rapprochements with key elements of the feminist and women's constituency...
...That's why we believe the Republicans ought to project a sexy, gentlemanly image that will be attractive to women...
...We think it's important that you create a strong impression of a man willing-even eager-to help out the missus in her housework...
...Carry shots of your own grandchildren with you at all times...
...We're looking into their political backgrounds now...
...King, you are a very attractive woman, but I like you for your mind...
...MEET WITH ANDREA DWORKIN Dworkin is one of a breed of angry "radical feminists" whose views are influential with other feminist intellectuals and leaders...
...She and other feminist intellectuals criticize what they call our "patriarchal" system and see the threat of rape behind much of modern male-female relationships-for instance, sed ion, in their view, equals rape...
...GENERAL POINTERS Any woman, even the most strident feminist, enjoys being complimented on her appearance...
...Equally important is the need to avoid sounding condescending...
...and 101 Uses for a Dead Man...
...President- as much as they do, we're in trouble...
...GO SHOPPING WITH NANCY Women appreciate a man who enjoys taking them shopping...
...So phrases like, "Gee, your hair smells terrific" will work wonders when you're trying to get the endorsement of the leaders of the National Organization of Women or the National Women's Political Caucus...
...We suggest a meeting with Dworkin at a symbolic site with good photo opportunities-perhaps a pornographic book store in downtown Washington or at a consciousness-raising session on the Upper East Side of New York...
...They argued that for too ~bng omen had been treated only as sex objects and "baby-makers" Instead, they wanted a broader choice of options in their life, and to be treated as equals at work and at home...
...Other veep possibilities who ought to be considered are Rick Springfield, a soap opera star and rock singer, and Richard Chamberlain, formerly TV's "Doctor Kildare" and star of the mini-series "The Thorn Birds...
...BACKGROUND Beginning in the 1960s, a small group of far-left Jewish intellectual women in New York City, led by a disgruntled housewife, B~et,,t,,L Friedan, began complaining about their lot...
...In short, you must always reinforce the impression that you're a "good provider" Women appreciate that...
...We're going to show you as committed to equal rights for women, compassionate, and, above all, sensitive to their needs...
...ii'p of this, the polls show that women are more liberal than men on such issues as the nuclear arms race and domestic spending, and that hurts us badly...
...She's the author of such books as Pen: Brutes or 7jirants...
...The publicity will be invaluable...
...Conversational tip: make sure to steer the conversation around to areas that interest them, such as interior decoration and children...
...Amazingly enough, many of these ideas have filtered into the general population...
...On another front, though, they're already aligned with our thinking: they're virulently opposed t all forms of pornography, which they say promotes violence against women...
...The question you want women to ask themselves is: Would I want this man as a husband, lover, or father...
...Opinion polls show that women tend to favor the Democratic Party over the Republican Party by a margin of between 7 and 15 percent, depending on the issue...
...Special tip: compliment her on her perfume...
...We plan to invite the White House photographer to t ese "private" meetings with women leaders, so it's important you convey an image of concern...
...What's going on-and what can we do about it...
...MAKE THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE LOOK LIKE A WIMP Whether it's Walter Mondale or someone else, you want to create doubts in the mind of women about his manhood and level of responsibility...
...Thus, when you're meeting with Coretta Scott King, for instance, it's important to end the conversation by saying, "You know, Mrs...
...In addition, it's important to be a good listener...
...CHANGE SOME DIAPERS Working mothers, especially, are upset that they have to shoulder the primary burden of child-raising., Although this doesn't mean, of course, that the government should spend more money_ on day care, you can ease some of their concern by enthusiastically caring for kids...
...to the "little woman" for me...
...These initiatives are just the opening wedge of our campaign to capture the women's vote...
...The reason, we believe, is that women are just naturally more caring and just plai "nicer" than men...
...Some scientists over at NIH tell us that it's got something to do with hormones and the side of the brain they use more, but they're still checking into it for us...
...Our political shop here has outlined a multi-part strategy that lets you take highly visible steps to win women voters back into the Republican camp...
...With Tom Selleck or another sex symbol on board as vice-president, you're free to play to your strengths as a father-figure...
...We can't recommend two obvious choices Warren Beatty and Robert Redford-because they're Hart supporters and liberals...
...Equally important is the need for you to show a flair for making a good impression with women...
...In the meantime, say "Hi...
...Above all, it's important that you show you respect the women leaders you'll be meeting as intelligent people-not as sex objects or decorative attachments to some men...
...Now that your own children are grown, you can still help out the working moms on the White House staff (if there are any-we'll check), or even agree to babysit once a month, for a suburban couple...
...Even with all the feminist upheavals of the last two decades that's never charmed...
...On top of this change of "consciousness," women are a growing part of the workforce and resent the fact that they still earn far less than men, and are often stuck in low-paying, low-prestige clerical or service jobs...
...Reagan's Secret Plan to Bridge the Gender Gap By Art Levine The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC TO: The President FROM: Michael Deaver RE: Gender gap strategy Women: you can't live with 'em, and you can't live without them...
...In keeping with that you might reshape federal programs in ways that resonate with the deepest subconscious longings of women for security and protection...
Vol. 16 • July 1984 • No. 6
