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Democrats and support groups are slamming comments made independently by Republicans this weekend that they believe show the GOP has turned a deaf ear towards serious women's issues.

Republicans have no female candidates for statewide office on the ballot, and Democrats have been waiting for any potential gaffes from the nearly all-white male line-up.

In separate appearances, a Republican political consultant called the low number of rape and incest victims a "minor issue" in the abortion debate, and GOP lieutenant governor candidate Dan Patrick dismissed the idea that government should be involved in pay disparity issues for women.

Both Democratic governor nominee Wendy Davis and lieutenant governor nominee Leticia Van de Putte sent out fundraising pleas on Monday, citing the GOP male statements.

Patrick was asked about the problem of unequal pay for women at a public forum and responded, "I don't think it is a problem."

"I don't think government should tell businesses how to pay their staff," he said.

On the equal pay issue, Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Lisa Paul said Patrick's dismissal shows that he is out-of-touch with the realities that women face in the workplace.

"Despite Dan Patrick's nonchalance and insensitivity, Texas women know they deserve equal pay for equal work," she said, citing statistics that show that Texas women make 79 cents on the dollar for the same work as men.

"If Dan Patrick wants to lead Texas he should be ready to tell our young women that if they work hard, they can expect a fair paycheck and equality in the workplace. Instead he plans to sit by and pretend this is not an issue that affects every family in Texas," Paul said.

In an appearance on Lone Star Politics on KXAS-TV (channel 5), GOP consultant Matt Mackowiak was asked about Abbott's belief that abortion should be outlawed, even in cases of rape and incest.

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Texas Republicans dismiss equal pay, abortions for rape as minor issues; Dems pounce

The moon rises behind the U.S. Capitol Dome in Washington.

J. David Ake, Associated Press

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In advance of the midterm elections in November and the 2016 presidential race, Republicans nationally are trying to show they arent just the party of no. They claim to have solutions to problems faced by low- and middle-income Americans. Will the strategy work? We take a look.

Rep. Paul Ryan (Mitt Romneys running mate) has written a book designed to give Republicans a blueprint to reform and improve poverty programs. Is the Ryan plan realistic and practical, or just more conservative rhetoric?

Pignanelli: Republicans have been accused of abandoning the poor. It's the other way around. They never vote for us. Dan Quayle

Congressman Ryan is a prolific creator of proposals that are bold, sometimes problematic and usually generate fervent opposition from the left and right. However, Americans should be appreciative for his courage to wade into the debate with thoughtful ideas.

Last year, I bumped into Congressman Ryan and immediately showered him with critiques and compliments. He was amused and confused. After explaining my background, he responded, "I did not know people like you existed in Utah."

This summer, Ryan unveiled a better version of his previous efforts that comprehends the necessity of government programs while improving efficiency. Several lions of the liberal establishment (including Democratic activist Donna Brazile and former Clinton Secretary of Labor Robert Reich) praised the congressman for providing a framework to build reform. This opportunity must not be squandered. Republicans and Democrats can utilize new ideas to enhance effectiveness of social programs in conjunction with needed increases to the minimum wage and earned income credit.

Webb: Ryans plans arent going to pass Congress anytime soon, but he has emerged as a respected thought leader because his approach incorporates a modicum of practicality and realism and thus can attract some Democratic votes.

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Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Are Republicans more than the party of 'no'?

In a midterm election year in which the political climate and map of battleground states clearly favors Republicans, many GOP candidates are nevertheless embracing some Democratic priorities in an effort to win over skeptical voters.

The shift is evident in some of the most contentious Senate and gubernatorial races in traditional swing states as well as decidedly conservative ones such as Alaska and Arkansas where Republican nominees have endorsed increases to the minimum wage, legalizing medical marijuana or granting in-state college tuition to some illegal immigrants.

Even on social issues, an area where the GOP traditionally has hewed to the wishes of its evangelical Christian base, many Senate hopefuls have backed same-sex marriage or over-the-counter access to birth-control pills.

Buoyed by President Obamas deep unpopularity, the Republican Party is positioned to reclaim a national governing majority for the first time in nearly a decade by winning control of the Senate. But Republicans have little margin for error, and most key races remain tossups.

Thats in part because many of those same polls show that voters favor Democrats on several issues, including pocketbook economic concerns and womens reproductive health issues. This has led many Republican candidates to take steps some only in recent weeks to project a more moderate image and try to inoculate themselves from attacks portraying them as extremists.

To win, Republican candidates must offer common-sense ideas that demonstrate compassion and expand their support beyond base Republican voters, said Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), who has played a major role this year raising money for and advising the GOPs top Senate recruits.

Mathematically, Republicans can take control of the Senate merely by winning in red states. Still, Portman said, even in those states, like Alaska, West Virginia, Montana, the reason our candidates are doing well is they have a broader appeal beyond just the Republican base. Independent voters are the plurality in most of these states.

Many Republican strategists see this as an even more critical imperative heading into the 2016 presidential campaign as well as that years Senate contests. Nine Republicans, including Portman, are up for reelection in 2016 in states that Obama won at least once.

This years move to the political middle will serve as a test for 2016. If these candidates lose, the partys conservative base is likely to blame it on their straying too far from orthodoxy. If they win, it could provide some evidence that the GOP can expand its coalition by reaching to the center.

In the face of sustained attacks from Democrats on issues of reproductive health, Republican Senate challengers in Colorado, North Carolina, Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia have said they support over-the-counter access to birth-control pills.

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In heated midterm contests, GOP candidates explore a move to the middle

Meet the Press host Chuck Todd recently asked the media roundtable: Hillary Clinton would love to see the Senate in Republican hands, going into 2016, wouldnt she? Politico editor Jim VandeHei replied, I think a lot of Democrats would. Mr. VandeHei went on to say that some Democrats would love for senators such as Marco Rubio or Rand Paulto own the dysfunction that would surely follow should Republicans take control of the Senate in November.

I sure hope that no one in Mrs. Clintons orbit, or at the White House, thinks like this. On a superficial level the reasoning sounds right, but the reality is far different.

Imagine what the Benghazi investigations would look like under a Senate Armed Service Committee chaired by Sen. John McCain, with an assist from Sen. Lindsey Graham. With the larger media megaphone and bigger, more experienced professional policy staff that come with control of a Senate committee, things would be much better run and more effective than the circus-like atmosphere that Rep. Darrell Issa specializes in. And in conjunction with the select committee that Rep. Trey Gowdy is heading, its safe to assume that this issue isnt going away anytime soon.

Now consider that on Sunday 400,000 people marched in support of climate change legislation. If the Senate flips in the midterms, a renowned climate-change denier would chair the Committee on Environment and Public Works. And you can bet your last dollar that an investigation of why the White House hasnt approved the Keystone pipeline would be at the top of his agenda and that the former secretary of state would be dragged into that inquiry as well.

Democrats should be careful about what they wish for. If Republicans take over the Senate, Democrats could wash their hands of any responsibility for legislating, but Republicans would still have the power to subpoenaand would not be afraid to use it.

Jim Manley, director of the communications practice at QGA Public Affairs, is a former aide to Sens.Harry ReidandEdward Kennedy.He is on Twitter:@jamespmanley.

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3 Reasons for Democrats to Worry If Republicans Win the Senate

Obama Wears Tan Suit, Republicans FLIP OUT
Republicans are outraged after Obama wears a tan suit http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/president-obama-peter-king-tan-suit-rant On the Bonus Show: Did David get high in Amsterdam?,...

By: David Pakman Show

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Obama Wears Tan Suit, Republicans FLIP OUT - Video