Margie Omero, writing at pollster.com, finds intriguing data to highlight not just the public's strong support for Obama's SCOTUS pick, Sonia Sotomayor.
Yesterday I posted on some Gallup data on voter reactions to Sotomayor. Quinnipiac released new data today, and both Gallup and Quinnipiac were nice enough to share party by gender crosstabs. These data continue to show that women, particularly Republican women, respond strongly to Sotomayor's nomination.
Specifically:
Both polls show a very large gender gap among Republicans
In the Gallup poll, both Democratic and Republican women are more supportive of Sotomayor than their Democratic counterparts. The difference is more modest among Democrats (men: +46 "excellent/good pick" minus "only fair/poor" pick; women: +54). Among Republicans the difference is sizable (men: -44; women: -11).
The Quinnipiac poll is consistent. There is no difference in the ratings of Democratic men (+74 "approve" minus "disapprove") and Democratic women (+76). But Republican women are almost evenly divided on Sotomayor's nomination (-9), while Republican men are more decidedly disapproving (-39).
If Republicans can find new ways to alienate voters, trust them to find it. Omero adds:
Do Republicans really want to antagonize the first Supreme Court nominee in a while to galvanize women? Before you answer, note the latest outrageously tone-deaf sexist attack.
Raise your hand if you're surprised.