Women more engaged than ever in presidential politics

MILWAUKEE -- As the 2012 presidential race ramps up, it's clear women will be more engaged in the campaigns than ever before. That was evident Friday in southeast Wisconsin.

A delegation of female state leaders rolled into Milwaukee with one message on their minds. Led by Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Wisconsin Women for Mitt went on a statewide bus tour. While the economy was at the center of their speeches, candidate plans were not discussed, hard-line questions were not asked. Instead, this event was all about pumping up the troops.

"Ladies, we are the mothers, the daughters, the sisters, the wives and we are about to take our country back," said Lt. Gov. Kleefisch.

"Women are very concerned about the economy, the future of their children and the future of our jobs," said State Sen. Alberta Darling.

However, not all of the women at the rally were there for the Romney-Ryan ticket. Lisa Schill was one of a handful of protesters pushing back against the bus tour. She and her peers argued Republican-proposed cuts would hurt many women and their families.

"I just can't make ends meet let alone buy affordable health care. If Ryan and Romney are in office it's just going to be hopeless," said Schill.

"I'm opposed to the rich getting rich and the poor getting poor. I'm opposed to always paying high taxes and I'm not getting nowhere, I'm not getting a step ahead," said Temeka Bowman.

According to a Forbes magazine analysis in the 2008 election, most states had more women registered to vote than men. 

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