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WASHINGTON, Aug 18, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A group of U.S. voters known as "security moms," who gave critical support to Republicans in 2002 and 2004, are abandoning the GOP in this year's election.
Married women with children are withdrawing support for the GOP in ways that seem likely to help Democrats in the midterm elections, the Washington Post reported.
Citing polls and interviews, the newspaper said security moms are more inclined to vote for Democrats than at any time since Sept. 11, 2001.
Data compiled for Post by the Pew Research Center showed that married women with children are still concerned about national security, and about the ability of Democrats to protect America from terrorist attacks, but Republicans are not benefiting from such concern as they have in the past.
The study found married women with children support Democrats for Congress by 50 percent to 38 percent for Republicans. In 2002 they went for Republicans by 53 percent to 36 percent for Democrats -- and in 2004, they gave President George W. Bush 56 percent of their vote.
Disaffection with Bush, the Iraq war and such issues as gasoline prices and economic anxiety are turning security moms against Republicans, the newspaper said.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
