B²: Fiorina and the “War on Women”

Carly Fiorina is now an official presidential candidate after making her announcement in a “Good Morning America” interview yesterday. This makes her the second female to enter the race and the first candidate to challenge Hillary Clinton on the gender issue.

“If Hillary Clinton were to face a female nominee, there are a whole set of things that she won’t be able to talk about,” Fiorina said last month. “She won’t be able to talk about being the first woman president. She won’t be able to talk about a war on women without being challenged. She won’t be able to play the gender card.”

While Fiorina aims to dispel the gender myth, we are already seeing reports that the “War on Women” message cycle is alive and well.

If asked, do you know how to talk about the “War on Women?”

Good thing it’s Tuesday, B² day.

Here’s the likely media question and the B² (block and bridge) that sets the narrative straight:

Q: “With two women in the race, does this bring women’s issues, such as abortion, to the forefront?”

B²: “All issues are women’s issues. And what Americans care about, women and men alike, is <insert talking point>.”

Whether you talk about the economy, education, foreign policy, abortion, etc., make it clear that every issue affects women. Contrary to popular belief, women are not single-issue voters and it is demeaning to assume otherwise. Expand the conversation.

The next iteration of the 2016 War on Women attack cycle will manifest itself in talks of the “pay gap” and minimum wage. Both are important issues and should be part of any organization/candidate’s platform, but are you ready to B² (block and bridge) from a reporter’s questions on either issue to your answers? We’ll offer up a few suggestions in future posts. Stay tuned.