CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Romney Struggles to Close Gender Gap

Stumbles in first attempts to shift tone.

In the wake of Rick Santorum’s departure from the presidential race, Mitt Romney’s campaign contended with the former Massachusetts governor’s struggle to win female voters. On the first day of the campaign’s strategy to turn criticism of Romney back on Obama, Romney repeatedly touted the misleading claim that 92 percent of job losses under Obama affected women. Top Romney aides also seemed confused about the candidate’s position on a law that makes it easier for women to sue in equal-pay cases, and belatedly released a clarification. Meanwhile, Democrats released a “greatest hits” reel of Romney comments, including that he wants to “get rid of” Planned Parenthood.