Media Assignment

Based on the video and audio provided it seems that politicians are starting to target women voters as the election is approaching. Both parties recognize that men are split between the parties and women voters are starting to outnumber male voters in the polls. This War against women seems to be a strategic campaign to get women to look at their competitors values negatively in order to sway their votes favorably for their party. Republicans rely on statements saying that democrats are sidelining women in terms of working alongside politically in comparison to the ever increasing access women are finding with Republicans. In addition they are the only ones who believe in a double standard of criticizing women based on political and social figures. Meanwhile Democrats use past statements and beliefs of Republicans to challenge their notions of current issues like access to birth control and government assistance to remind women voters how Republicans minimalize the circumstances and opinions of women. Michelle Obama, is thought to be a social and political icon; she represents the views of her husband as well as inspires millions through her story and circulates retail consumption just as fast as Oprah’s thoughts on a best-seller. Early on in the presidency she was thought to be abrasive with her husband’s advisors; it was said that she conflicted with their suggestions on more than one occasion (Hudson, 2012). This can also be suggested as a result of “Men’s resistance to Agentic Women” (106). However she appears to be on Forbes most powerful woman and has coined the term, “Mom in chief” according to the Atlantic Wire. Her leadership style is considered to be of authentic leadership. She advocates heavily for working mothers, nutrition and fitness for children and immigration (Moore, 2009). The tight rope is introduced when it is mentioned that she balances being her advocacy while maintaining a feminine appearance by claiming that she tries not to get involved in hard issues. She took time off from her law firm in order to support her family but she hasn’t quit working altogether, she has redirected her path with emphasis on her family. The republican statements mentioned in the media clips were consistent with the claims that women are supposed to have a laissez -faire approach to leadership (Eagly, 128). During the audio clip it was frequently mentioned how single parents are depending too much on the government on assistance suggesting the that women lack agency as if to suggest that women are incompetent of being leaders within their own households and workplace in order for them to be successful in providing for their families. Then a democratic perspective reminds the guest that there very successful working single mothers and marriage corresponds to jobs which entail stability and without an increase in minimal wage women very often stuck within their circumstance.

Works Cited

Eagly, Alice Hendrickson., and Linda Lorene Carli. Through the Labyrinth: The Truth about How Women Become Leaders. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School, 2007. Print.

Hudson, John. "The Surprisingly Sharp Elbows of Michelle Obama." The Atlantic Wire. 09 Jan. 2012. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/01/surprisingly-sharp-elbows-michelle-obama/47147/>.

Madison, Lucy. "Forbes Names Michelle Obama World's Most Powerful Woman." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 07 Oct. 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20018900-503544.html>.

"Wire Election News." The Sacramento Bee. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/12/4409453/michelle-obama-says-every-mother.html>.