Eleanor Smeal talked about the use of women’s rights such as contraception and abortion as campaign issues in the 2012 presidential race, and current state legislative efforts to restrict these rights. In her comments she said the use of women’s issues in the campaign is “shocking,” and that candidates who question these rights “want to prove they’re moral by regulating women and, frankly, endangering their health.” She refuted the argument that mandating contraceptive insurance coverage is a violation of religious freedom rights. Ms. Smeal also responded to viewer phone calls and electronic communications.
C-SPAN Radio’s Nancy Calo read news headlines at the end of the program.