Introducing Moms for Liberty

In 1996, Bill Clinton won reelection because large quantities of swing voters known as soccer moms turned out for him. In 2004, George W. Bush won reelection because those same swing voters, now known as security moms, turned out after 9/11. This year, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, our last 2 presidents, might be denied reelection because a large block of swing voters might show up for either Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott or Vivek Ramaswamy. That isn't to say that Moms for Liberty would reject President Trump. It's just that he shown much of an interest in education reform thus far.

This group of swing voters might best be nicknamed 'School Board Moms.' FYI- they're hell-bent on making major changes in education. For instance, "Moms for Liberty" "are pushing to revamp the U.S. education system with policies aimed at limiting teachings on gender, race and sex in schools; banning books they deem inappropriate and placing limits on transgender students in school sports." When people think of fighting culture wars, the names that first come to mind are Glenn Youngkin, Ron DeSantis and Corey DeAngelis of the American Federation for Children.

If you want access to the political heavy-hitters, you've first got to meet Tara Wood:

Wood is president of the Charleston County, S.C., chapter of Moms for Liberty, a nationwide organization that has become an influential force in the GOP presidential primary. The group, which didn’t exist during the 2020 race, has become the loudest voice advocating for greater parental involvement in schools. Members are helping shape a new education platform for the Republican Party in 2024.

If you're hoping to meet someone who isn't a pushy salesperson, that isn't Tara Wood. I've never met her but based on the things I'm reading in the WSJ article, she's quite assertive:

The group pushed Donald Trump to embrace their issues more than he did in 2016 and 2020, and his campaign platform reads like it is from the group’s website, including a pledge to cut federal funding from any school pushing so-called critical race theory and what he deems other inappropriate sexual and political content. Its members lobbied DeSantis, an early advocate for restrictions on curriculum, to sign a slate of education measures that Moms for Liberty touts as the gold standard. Members also backed bills that the GOP-majority House of Representatives passed to put restrictions on school curriculums and ban transgender girls and women from competing in female event categories in school sports.

Moms for Liberty would prefer to be bipartisan but there's a problem:

President Biden and Democrats see the issue as boosting their chances in a general election where they hope voters will view such moves as excessive government control and censorship. Biden, who is expected to get his party’s nomination, cited book bans in his campaign launch. One progressive organization, MoveOn, is fundraising with the goal of filling a bus with books banned in Florida schools to hand out.

I'm thinking that MoveOn and Moms for Liberty aren't a good fit. I'm thinking that these ladies are assertive with lots of confidence:

Think that Moms for Liberty is a monolithic organization? Guess again:

Moms for Liberty doesn’t plan to endorse in the GOP primary. Candidates will have to court its members individually or in small groups, like the one gathered over coffee on a recent spring day outside of Charleston. These members of the Berkeley County South Carolina chapter of Moms for Liberty described in interviews why no candidate is their clear favorite.

Those who want Trump back in the White House say it is because they view him as the strongest fighter, and they believe he would get their education priorities implemented if elected. Those lining up behind DeSantis say he has the record—including signing a bill restricting teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in public school—and has a better chance at winning a general election.

"Trump is the only one who has the chutzpah to be able to do away with that bureaucracy," said grandmother Peggy Lassanske, 76, referring to the education department and government. Lassanske voted for Trump twice, put out yard signs and made phone calls for him in 2020. She has not committed to any candidate and wants someone to earn her vote.

April Coleman, 49, with three teenagers, said she has a "Trump girl" hat and Trump flags she can pull back out if he is the nominee. But she is going to support either DeSantis or Scott because she worries the former president is too divisive in a general election. "I just want to win," she said.

Christi Dixon, 54, a mom of four kids between ages 14 and 31, chairs the Berkeley County chapter and is undecided on whom to support, though she has been heartened to see candidates "recognize that the movement for parental rights has gained traction and it’s gonna be important in the next election."

Let the competition begin. If Biden thinks that the NEA and AFT will be a decisive factor for Democrats, he might wake up the morning after the election and be mightily surprised.