j.r. leonard

If GOP elites were softer on abortion, GOP voters would be, too. I'd bet my left foot that if GOP electeds were as female as the GOP base, the party elite position on abortion substantially soften, which would flow down to voters.

If that's the case, it's a bit misguided to see typical GOP woman as demanding these total abortions bans. Overwhelmingly male party elites are demanding them, and voters go along with party elites.

A big question is: why are GOP electeds so male-skewed relative to their voter base? It's complicated, I'm sure. Maybe less inclination of conservative women to run. Probably less support and encouragement for them. But also...

Politics has long been a boys club. The Democratic party still is, but rapidly improving. Men protect their privilege, even when they think they ought be more inclusive and not hoard opportunities. But I doubt Republican elites think there's an issue. They love the boy's club.

Moreover, I think GOP elites sense that women among their ranks would force moderation on a lot of issues, and they don't like that. So either you accept the hyper-conservative terms of the boy's club, or they keep you out. So most women bomb out or opt out.

I think a similar dynamic explains why mostly white Democratic elites are way more liberal than their multi-ethnic base, which means non-white Dem electeds have to be way more liberal than non-white voters to rise in the party.

If the GOP elite was as female as it's base, it would move left on social issues. If the Democratic Party was as diverse as it's base, it would move right. Polarization is partly due to intra-party gatekeeping by liberal white Democrats and conservative white male Republicans.

Anyway, Republican women support radical anti-abortion bills partly because there are so few women among Republican elites. The elites don't reflect their views. Their views reflect the priorities of the agenda-setting hyper-conservative boy's club elites'.