"Wal-Mart Moms" are going to be a critical voting bloc in the November elections, according to pollsters. Who is winning their vote and what are women's concerns this election?
Emmy Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Cokie Roberts, middle, and political strategist and pollster Celinda Lake, right, discussed those questions and women's role in the 2008 elections Tuesday at a Duke University Women's Forum in Washington, D.C.
Moderated by executive director of Duke alumni affairs Sterly Wilder (at podium), the event explored the issues that women -- and different groups of women -- are using as the deciding factors in making their presidential, congressional and other election choices this November.
Lake challenged some common perceptions about women voters: For example, she said at least half of women feel both Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin have been treated fairly by the media. But for most women, as with men, the biggest issue is the economy and the Wall Street crisis. In one poll, Lake said, 81 percent of women said the country is headed on the wrong track.
Photo by Chris Simmons