Where Do Donald Trump (& Other Candidates) Stand on Women’s Issues?

Where Do Donald Trump (& Other Candidates) Stand on Women’s Issues?

A few weeks prior, we published an article breaking down and highlighting how the 2016 presidential candidates stood on women’s and LGBTQ issues. However, there are obviously more than five candidates! Let’s see what some of the other contenders have said, done, or thought about gender inequality.

 

Martin O’Malley

  • The Catholic former governor of Maryland is socially progressive on issues – despite the constant attention surrounding the anti-LGBTQ stance of the Catholic Church, O’Malley clearly believes differently. In discussion with the Archbishop of Baltimore, who fought to keep same-sex marriage out of the state, he wrote, “But on the public issue of granting equal civil marital rights to same-sex couples, you and I disagree. I look forward to working with you on other issues of mutual agreement. And I respect your freedom to disagree with me as a citizen and as a religious leader without questioning your motives.”
  • Halfway through his term as governor, O’Malley unveiled a “progressive agenda” on many contended social issues. Where he stood out was his belief that abortion should remain legal – an issue “best left to the individual conscience of each woman.”
  • In 2000, while serving as mayor of Baltimore, he adopted a “manifesto” that aimed to strengthen parental ties to their children. This included taking initiatives such as “family-friendly workplaces” and perpetuating the idea of the nuclear family in the state. Whether or not legislation has come out of the city or state regarding this agenda is questionable, as it is not cited when promoting new policies.

 

Donald Trump

  • Trump has certainly made headlines for his comments regarding Mexican immigrants recently. As a response, major household names like Univision, NBC Universal, and Macy’s have pulled out of their business relationships with him, even shunning the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. In past years, both beauty pageants have been criticized for objectifying women and devaluing their self-worth past physical appearances.
  • In his book, How to Get Rich, he states that, “All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me – consciously or unconsciously. That’s to be expected.” That’s more like you read a little bit too much into their mannerisms, Trump, and not everything is about their ravishing sexual desire for you.
  • In the past, Trump has constantly feuded with women, making gender-specific remarks regarding their physical appearances and sexual lives if they irritate him. It’s interesting to see how he does not concentrate on say, the work ethic of those that appear on The Apprentice, or does not make ‘fat’ remarks regarding male politicians he disagrees with, creating an interesting standard for both groups in his eyes.

 

Chris Christie

  • In 2010, New Jersey governor Christie cut off $7.5 million in funding for family planning, which had been used to support 58 clinics throughout the state. As a result, this has made it difficult for many women not only to consult physicians about abortions, but also to receive life-saving cancer detection tests and contraception.
  • Bloomberg Business wrote an article in 2013 stating that Christie had gained traction among women voters. While nothing specifically targeted women voters, or concerned issues in the gender inequality gap, it seems as if his surge in approval came from strong, decisive leadership of the state during crucial times.
  • However, according to the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Christie gets a D+ regarding his work on social policies for the state. One such citation was his staunch refusal to approve same-sex marriage in the state, until a state court decision overruled his stance.

 

Carly Fiorina

  • Like Hillary Clinton, we have to give her props for being one of only two women to declare candidacy for the upcoming primaries and presidential election. The former businesswoman ran for California senator in 2010. However, some of her personal voting practices have become public in past years – including a memorable quote where she acknowledged that she was “a lifelong registered Republican, but haven’t always voted.” Whoops.
  • Despite running as a conservative, Fiorina has very moderate (even liberal) positions on the gender gap. Much of this can be attributed to her work as former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and her observations of what it means to be a female business leader. For example, she states that while working at Hewlett-Packard, she strove to make a work environment comfortable for transgender individuals.
  • Fiorina has previously stated her position on what she calls the Democrats’ portrayal of Republicans’ “War on Women,” claiming that the party has let the label stick for too long. Interestingly, most of her previously stated positions on what are key policy issues for many American women are out of line with previous polls and surveys.

 

As always, we here at HelloFlo encourage you to do your own research when it comes to voting for who you think best represents your interests. Even a simple Google search of “Donald Trump on women” will do the trick. Happy hunting!

Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.