Speaker Program: Women in U.S. Elections

October 10, 2012

Tim Liston discusses women’s role in U.S. Elections.

In the first of the Mission Speaker Program series on U.S. Elections at the American Center, Tim Liston, Deputy Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, spoke about women’s role in the U.S. elections on October 10.  Discussing with the slightly female-dominated audience of 70, he explained why and how politicians have traditionally campaigned to win women votes and which issues women will most likely be focused on in the upcoming elections.

Tim Liston talked about the “gender gap,” trends in voting over the century and how it changed since the 60’s and the 80’s.  As women in the U.S. are increasingly becoming the breadwinners, especially after the recent economic downturn, the issues of focus are shifting from civil rights, education and reproductive health to the economy, jobs, and healthcare at large.

Prompted by excellent question from the audience, Tim also touched on the role the Presidential nominees’ wives play in the election process, as well as how the First Ladys’ image and programs affects the President.

The U.S. elections program will continue with presentations at the American Center on: Electoral of College by Jason Hwang, Political Officer of the U.S. Embassy Hanoi, on October 16, and Suffrage Movement in America by Mark Lambert, Political Officer, U.S. Embassy, on October 24.