By Lauren Migliore

The election of 1994 sent shockwaves through the country when it was revealed that the Republicans had captured a majority for the first time in decades in both the House and the Senate from the previously "unbeatable" Democrats.  The GOP, which was even referred to as the "Permanent Minority," had defied all odds.  A former Democrat-turned-Republican, Newt Gingrich, led the Republicans to this victory with his innovative ideas that championed the free market and were presented on a unified, national level.  It was beautifully orchestrated, but, as recent events have shown, victory was short-lived.  This important moment in history can serve as a lesson to contemporary Republican politicians looking to turn the tide back to the right.  The year of 2007 could be like 1993, when people felt the tremors underfoot of a revolution already underway, or it could resemble 2005, when Republicans who were continuing to drift away from their core principles of a free market and limited government had the rug pulled out from under them (except this time, the rug might be the White House).  The secret to a new revolution and prevention of a Democratic takeover: The Women's Vote.

Democrats like to consider women their "Permanent Majority" and count on women voters to move as a single block to sweep their supposed candidate, Hillary Clinton, into the White House for another eight years.  Democratic candidates are well aware of their edge on the women's vote and exploit it daily in their rhetoric on the campaign trail and taskforces giving lip-service to "women's issues."  In order to curb the Democratic momentum, the GOP must pay attention to these subjects-not only because it will aid Republicans in victory, but because women's issues and their principles go hand in hand. 

The GOP has the opportunity to redefine the debate over women's issues this election.  Democratic oratories propagating issues that were dominant at a time when bras fueled bonfires and radical feminist diatribes against alleged Republican chauvinism were rampant are no longer resonating with female voters.  This is evident in the closing of the gender gap between male and female voting records.  To reinforce this trend, the Republican candidate must show women how the Democratic Party is out of touch with the ideas of the 21^st century when technology and a service-driven economy reign supreme.  Democrats are still rooted in the post-industrial politics of the New Deal era-a time that catered to labor unions and big bureaucracy.  Voters reward policy innovation and new ideas and are growing tired of the age-old rap appealing to "equal pay," "the right to choose," and the ERA.

The women's issues of the 21^st century have evolved significantly over the past 50 years and truly have underlying parallels to the conservative agenda.  The woman of the new millennium is a working mother and wife who cares about the financial stability of her family and the society in which her children grow up.  Basic economics teaches us that free markets bring about wealth and economic prosperity, which in turn bring about stable families and communities.  Here Republicans have an opportunity to show women voters their appeal.  For instance, the flat tax would eliminate the "marriage tax" and progressive tax codes that punish married working women. Republicans also champion new innovations such as "flex time" that promote flexibility in the workforce and have championed freedom with other issues like healthcare options.  President Bush tried till he was blue in the face to articulate how Americans would benefit from the freedoms of private Social Security accounts-only to be blocked by Democratic obstructionists.  School choice and voucher programs have been advocated by the Republican administration.  All these programs are designed to help families and restore freedom and a culture of ownership back into American society.

Women's issues are Republican issues.  The GOP does not need secret war rooms to devise a strategy to appeal to women voters.  They already have it-their platform!  The deficiency does not lie in the message but in the execution of the message.  Republicans need to wake up and smell the opportunity.   Perhaps they need another strong visionary leader, like Newt Gingrich, to capitalize on such opportunity.  Or perhaps soccer moms toting briefcases will storm the steps of the Capital to bring about a second coming of 1994.  Regardless of how it happens, one thing is for sure, a second Revolution for the Republicans, led by women voters, is within reach.  All they need to do is claim it.