Ovulation is not a sexy topic.  But sometimes it’s an unavoidable discussion.  Especially when CNN publishes a study alleging that women tend to support President Barack Obama when they ovulate because — and yes, I quote — “they feel sexier.”

Like wildfire, this study spread across social media.  More than 2,100 mentions were posted on Twitter alone, according to The Daily Caller.  None of them were nice.  I can tell you that women don’t respond pleasantly to the kind of blatant sexism entrenched in CNN’s article.

“As if my ability to make decisions depends on my cycle!” tweeted one female reader.  Another woman wrote, “I think I am done with CNN.”

CNN responded to women’s outrage by deleting the study.  You can still visit the page, but in place of the study is a statement by CNN editors saying, “After further review it was determined that some elements of the story did not meet the editorial standards of CNN.  We thank you for your comments and feedback.”  No apology, no remorse, nothing.  But can we expect much more from the biased, Left-leaning news outlet?  Of course not!

This was just another bid by an Obama-supporting lapdog to secure women’s vote based on our ovaries.

In the interest of real women, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee conducted its own women’s study two weeks ago.  The number one issue was not abortion and birth control.  In fact, those issues were at the bottom of women’s laundry list of concerns.  Top issues important to women were economic growth, jobs, and the national debt.  Women of this country are looking for a leader who will lift us out of our current economic turmoil and keep us safe abroad.  Women are looking for leadership that we currently don’t have.

Political pundits are going to be shocked come November 6, when women vote with their lady smarts, not their lady parts.

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Update: The misogynistic Obama Campaign has released an obnoxious, double-entendre of a Web ad, featuring a woman who looks and acts like an overly immature, tattooed twelve-year-old.  Once again, Obama is reducing women to — do we have to say it again? — “lady parts.”   Well, the pimply faced adolescents over at Obama HQ need to grow up and realize that we think with our brains and act with our hearts — again, “Lady Smarts, Not Lady Parts.”  Obama’s good ‘ol boys may have their minds in the gutter, but our minds are on our pocketbooks.  In every sense of the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.”  Did they miss the headline about the “gender gap” between Obama and Romney disappearing?  Maybe it’s because we’re not  a bunch of cheap floozies, easily bought with condoms and free pills.

According to poll results tweeted by CNBC last night, 56 percent of viewers herald Paul Ryan as the winner of the first and only vice-presidential debate, and only 36 percent determined Biden the champ.  Yet, due to Vice President Biden’s rousing display of eccentric claims, this morning, mainstream media outlets are calling the debate a draw.

In truth, the winner of this debate depends on who you ask.

Women took note that in this debate a wide-range of issues important to us were brought to the table.  After last week’s presidential debate failed to focus on abortion or religious liberty, it was heartening to hear both Biden and Ryan respect the sanctity of life.  But it was Ryan who came across as steadfast on faith and the need to protect life, “Our faith informs us in everything we do.  My faith informs me about how to take care of the vulnerable, of how to make sure that people have a chance in life.  Now, you want to ask basically why I’m pro-life?  It’s not
simply because of my Catholic faith.  That’s a factor, of course.  But it’s also because of reason and science. … I believe life begins at conception.”

But the major sticking point for women in this debate had more to do with style than actual substance.  Vice President Biden’s unprecedented strategy called for 82 interruptions, eye-rolling, and laughing during serious discussion of the War Against Terror.  Not the type of behavior voters found flattering to America’s second in command.

Women were unconvinced by Biden’s over-the-top antics.  All of the women on a CNN post-debate panel criticized Biden’s rude behavior and condescending tone.  Though Ryan remained composed, he was not short of quips and snarky remarks, going so far as to say, “I know you are under duress to make up for lost ground, but I think people would be better served if we don’t interrupt each other.”

Undecided voters, too, found Biden’s tone unprofessional.  Every undecided women participating in a CNN focus-group panel criticized Biden for his distasteful manner.  One undecided woman commented, “I thought Paul Ryan … was trying to educate us, teach us, until Joe Biden would bumble in and tried to distort things by overriding him, talking, and being a buffoon in general.”  Another undecided North Carolina voter, Nella Stevens, commented, “I’m not totally decided, but the vice presidential debate has swayed me toward Romney/Ryan.”  When Stevens was asked how she graded the candidates, she answered, “C– for Biden , if for no other reason than rudeness and aggression; B+ for Ryan for poise, articulate answers, calmness and overall good sportsmanship.”

Overall, many believe Ryan could have aggressively tackled Biden’s points with potency, but his restrained attitude showed a humility and respect not normally seen in politicians.  Ryan’s strategy was simple.  Knowing his off-the-cuff attitude, Ryan let the truth shine through facts and statistics and sit back and allowed Biden to self-destruct.  American women and undecided voters needed to see steady, consistent leadership.

Apparently, those who saw the debate via split screen opined that Ryan won, while those who watched the debate without a split screen labeled the debate a draw.

Independents finally woke up during last night’s presidential debate.

This debate wasn’t a popularity contest or one of those “let’s see who has the last word” kind of things. It was about providing Americans with real solutions to the ever-increasing fiscal crisis. Let’s face it, Romney hit this one out of the ball park as he reminded Americans of the limited role of government and the liberties endowed by our Creator, stating, “We are endowed by our Creator with our rights, I believe we must maintain our commitment to religious tolerance and freedom in this country.”

Obama appealed to his audience, wishing his wife a happy anniversary, but failed to woo all other women when he was unable to articulate his economic policies. Women make 80 percent of all consumer purchasing decisions and needed to hear how the president will overhaul the nation’s ever-increasing spending habits.

According to a Las Vegas-area focus group, America’s moms have a new perspective on this presidential election after watching last night’s debate. The focus group was comprised of moms who shop at the discount retail chain Wal-Mart (a.k.a., “Wal-Mart moms”) and have children under the age of 18. Such women represent 27 percent of all registered women voters. Many of these Wal-Mart moms were undecided before this debate, but they now favor Romney, saying that he “seemed more aggressive and very forthright,” and “I was undecided and [now] I’m more leaning towards Romney.”

For us Wal-Mart moms and all Americans across the country, this debate was about answers to jobs and desperately needed leadership.

Finally, we have some answers and direction. Even if you disagree with Romney’s policies, you must admit he successfully communicated his economic recovery plans and addressed the president’s failing policies over the last four years.

Yesterday, I gathered all of the Concerned Women for America (CWA) staff to pray that God would grant both candidates wisdom and peace of mind as they entered the debate. But above all, CWA prayed that truth would shine through the candidates’ answers. That prayer was answered.

One down, two debates to go.

Have no fear, the federal government is here! Wait… that isn’t right.

I’m no damsel in distress, and neither are you. The days of a masked hero helping those in need are, so it seems, nonexistent. But that is exactly what’s unfolding before our very eyes.

The government wants to tell “we the people” how to live. Citizens, if you think politics won’t directly affect you, think again.  New York City’s mayor decided to ban sugary drink sizes to 16 ounces, putting a limit on buying soda in order to thin out an obese New York populace.  Michelle “The Lunch Lady” Obama has implemented an Orwellian lunch program to regulate what American children can and cannot eat, and health (for the mother, not for the abortion-targeted baby) mandates are being shoved down citizens’ throats despite how deeply they offend citizens’ religious convictions.

And it doesn’t stop there.  As if forcing you to pay for abortions weren’t enough, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius blatantly ignored — and arrogantly violated — federal law by using her Cabinet position to tell Americans to vote for President Obama.

Where are the outraged media elites?  Where’s the lone, masked hero who fights against those who abuse their power?  As you’ve heard, time and time again, this election is one of the most important elections of our life time.  We cannot allow our government to keep implementing laws that go against “we the people.”

Americans, listen up!  If you want a government that will cater to your every need, you’re living in the wrong country.  This country — the one built on freedom and liberty, bought by the blood and sweat of our ancestors, and lusted after by the rest of the world — is not a country of equal handouts, but of equal opportunity to work hard to achieve our ambitions.  Yet, that is not what we are seeing.  Instead, we have an administration that has implemented more federal control over American citizens’ everyday lives, and what are Americans doing about it?  Nothing!

It’s the American citizens’ choice, but I urge you to take a good, hard look.  It’s time to bring our country back to its founding.  Ben Franklin once said, “It is a republic, if we can keep it.”  So, I ask, can we?

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is doing what it takes to keep our government accountable to the taxpayers.  CWA’s She Votes 2012 project is working to make sure Americans are registered to vote in this extremely important election.  Are you ready?  Are you registered?  With voter registration ending on October 8 in most states, now is not the time to idly wonder.  Click here now to see if you’re registered. … And if you aren’t, stay on the site and do something about it.

The deaths on September 11, 2012, permeated the media and news headlines. People were shocked and appalled that of all days — the day we remember the biggest assault on American soil — American embassies were attacked, our flag was burned, and Americans were killed.  But do the attacks and deaths really surprise anyone?  Haven’t we seen this coming?  Our nation continues to fund Libya, and the current administration refuses to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  Our president apologizes for the United States and doesn’t believe we’re exceptional.  He doesn’t see us as a “Christian nation.”  The DNC’s party platform committee removed references to God and to Jerusalem as Israel’s capital from the Democrat platform, and then both references were embarrassingly reinstated over the loud objections of a large number of the delegates.

It is time for Christians to stop worrying about being politically correct and become Biblically faithful. James 4 states that “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world maketh himself the enemy of God.”  Are American citizens afraid to speak out in fear of upsetting others?  Are we afraid of what the media or our “friends” will think of us?  As Christians, we know that we will face trials and tribulations.  But we can take heart, because He has overcome the world.

It’s time for Christians to pray and become active.  Christians have been in leadership and at the forefront during pivotal times in our nation’s history.  The Pilgrims came from England seeking religious refuge.  Our Founders included preachers, doctors, judges, and teachers.  They were all well read and educated on the issues that came before them.  The Great Awakening, Temperance Movement, Civil Rights — you name the movements for good in U.S. history, and they were headed by Christians.

It is not fun to be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, and/or shunned.  It’s not easy.  But Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the Gospel will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Each of us must choose to be an enemy of God or an enemy of the world.  We cannot serve both masters.  If being a Christian and always doing the right thing were easy, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are now.  We could make the case that the past 40-50 years of changes in values in America came about because Christians were not as Biblically faithful as they were called to be.  But today, we face stark choices — economic, fiscal, and social crises abound.  Each candidate and party has a position that is, in many important ways, the antithesis of the other.  Sadly, too many Americans who hold to Judeo-Christian values are not willing to talk about the economy, unemployment rate, food stamps, ObamaCare, debt, or the fact that Moody’s is threatening to downgrade us yet again.  Why are so many backing away from the fight?

We are at the point in our history where our children will look back on and ask us what we were doing.  What were we thinking?  What did we do that changed the direction?  Will we speak the truth, or will we cower in fear?  It’s our choice; but in the end, we will be called to judgment for what we do or don’t do.

Our guest blogger today is Breanna Haupt, an intern with Concerned Women for America’s Ronald Reagan Memorial Internship Program. 

When I observe the increasingly secular political and cultural climate in America, I can easily assume that we’re doomed.  I watch the sad pattern of disobedience and decline playing out all over again.  When I look at history, I see that most empires eventually fall apart.  From Egypt to Rome to Israel, a tragic flaw does the kingdom in.

The common denominator? These empires rebelled against God’s commands.

Yet, a surprising section of Scripture offers me a glimmer of hope.  Reading in 2Chronicles, I witness how a Godly few — concerned men and women — can radically change a nation.  This somewhat obscure book of the Bible recounts the story of Judah’s rulers descended from King David.  The kings we hear about are a mixed lot.  Many are extremely evil — but not all of them.

What’s puzzled me as I’ve read is why good kings were inspired to follow the Lord after a generation or more of unrestrained immorality and disobedience.  Ungodly, immoral kings somehow managed to put sons on the throne who charismatically followed the Lord.

King Joash is one early example of just such Godly leadership.  Beginning in 2 Chronicles 22, the story unfolds of how Joash’s sinful grandmother, Athalia, killed the entire royal family except for him.  In hiding for seven years, he lived with the priests in the temple until Athalia was overthrown.  We learn that Jahoiada, the priest, and others faithful to the Lord protected Joash and raised him according to Biblical Truth.  The results? Throughout Jahoiada’s life, Joash remained a Godly king.

We see a similar story played out later on, when Josiah became king at age eight.  His father Amon and grandfather Manasseh were both among the most evil kings in either Israel or Judah. However, because of Godly people like the priest Hilkiah in his life, Josiah proved an exceptionally wise and Godly king.

In the lives of both Joash and Josiah, a small remnant faithful to the Lord helped point the entire nation in the right direction.  By working quietly behind the scenes for years, they ultimately made a huge difference in the running of their country.  Even though we don’t hear about them, I suspect similarly dedicated groups of people kept God’s law alive in hard times throughout Judah and Israel’s history.

Although the moral unwinding of America seems inevitable to me somtimes, the narratives in 2 Chronicles uncover a positive reality.  Even when people who believe in the Truth aren’t in power or don’t make up the majority of voters, we can still have a constructive influence on history.

By reaching the Joashes and Josiahs in our lives through prayer, persistence, and patience, we too can work behind the scenes to point our nation toward renewal.  It’s not glamorous, but I know my perspective has changed based on this truth.  I see that my individual contribution — and those of others like me — can make a lasting difference.

Want to start up a small business? At the federal, state, and local levels of government, you'll be responsible for 43 forms each year, some of which have extremely expensive penalties attached if you are late.

In the 1930s, Ruth Briscoe, a young woman from a poor minister’s family, was trying desperately to become a teacher.  Struggling like everyone else, simply buying food was a hardship.  In the midst of the Great Depression, Ruth could not find anyone to hire her.  But instead of relying on the government, Ruth relied on her creativity and sheer determination to earn money.  She created her own job by going door to door, selling fruit and candy she made in her humble kitchen.  Ruth’s home venture was so successful that the profits she made were enough to help her through that dark period in America’s history. 

Recently, President Obama appeared on 60 Minutes to discuss our nation’s current and extraordinarily deep recession with unemployment rates at nine percent and, really, 17 percent when counting all the people who are no longer looking for jobs or working part-time, and he used the opportunity to blame Republicans in Congress for blocking his policy efforts and stifling job growth.

One wonders why more people don’t take a cue from Ruth Briscoe’s entrepreneurial spirit and start their own business, thus, creating their own job?  Clearly, the growth of small businesses is the key to getting out of this fiscal mess. But things are different now. 

In reality, small business creation is now plagued by government regulation costs and increased taxes at every level of government, lending truth to the popular maxim, “It takes money to make money.”  Yet, for many Americans on a shoe-string budget, overbearing government interference limits their economic freedom to innovate and develop jobs.

Today, if Ruth wanted to start up her small business in my town, she would be responsible for 43 forms each year at the federal, state, and local levels of government.  Some of those forms have extremely expensive penalties attached if you are late.  Some areas of the country are even more burdensome.  And this doesn’t take into consideration all the other regulations she would incur.  God forbid if she doesn’t have a commercial kitchen in which to make that candy. 

Thanks to overregulation by state health departments, it’s virtually impossible to start up home businesses that revolve around homemade goods.  Now, I get that there are a lot of people out there who don’t share my sanitary cooking practices and the protection of public health is appropriate, but the amount of nightmarish regulations the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have created are overwhelming.

To legally run her home-based business today, Ruth would need to install a brand new kitchen in her home, complete with separate stainless steel sinks, counters, and expensive oven exhaust hoods.  Then Ruth would need to be sure her neighborhood is within local commercial zoning limits before she could even think about selling her goods.

The total cost of government regulations is reportedly $1.75 trillion each year with new rules and costs appearing every day.  It’s little wonder so many Americans who are trying to keep their small businesses afloat hire illegal immigrants in order to sidestep all the regulatory red tape.

Americans realize there must be an overhaul in government regulation, tax, and spending reform before citizens have the ability to create their own jobs and success like Ruth Briscoe did.  A new poll by the Polling Company, on behalf of Concerned Women for America (CWA), was conducted of Republican caucus voters.  It reveals that 94 percent of Iowa voters, 89 percent of New Hampshire voters, and 87 percent of voters in South Carolina agree that our burdensome government is stifling economic opportunities and employment solutions for Americans.

The government needs to butt out of private business.  In the end, it will not be heightened government rules that recover the nation; it will be the ingenuity, drive, and freedom of everyday men and women to take risks that will ultimately end this dim economic period and continue the legacy of American prosperity and success for future generations. 

Ruth Briscoe lived to be a wonderful teacher, wife, and mother to three children, including my husband’s mother.  Thank God she had that American “can do” spirit that she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

First, let me say this: How many debates do we really need to have?  Second, how encouraging is it to see a woman running for president who isn’t afraid to pray for her country?  I know I am not the only one overjoyed to see a woman standing her ground.  It’s refreshing to finally see female leaders, like Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin, unashamed of their faith.  But Bachmann displayed extraordinary courage when recently asked if she’d be willing, as president, to lead the nation in prayer.  She stated, “I think that a president doesn’t lose their First Amendment right to freedom of speech and expression and religious worship and liberty … I would be most pleased to do that – to lead the nation in prayer.”  Of course, her remark sent critics into a tizzy, with many of them babbling on about “separation of church and state.”

Now, I haven’t decided who I will vote for, and it surely won’t be based on gender, but we have to respect the place and purpose of women in our country today.  While there are more men on the debate platform this year, there are more women at the polls.  These women are everyday wives, moms, and friends, and they have been the largest voting bloc in this country since 1964.  Women are America’s ultimate decision-makers – from what foods to pack in our kids’ lunches to who should be president, women call the shots.

Besides bold national female leaders, our country needs courageous leadership from everyday women.  As the CEO of the largest public policy organization for women, I know they can swing this election and the direction of our country for the greater good.  A relatively new phrase, “Wal-Mart moms,” has gone viral.  According to Reuters, a Wal-Mart mom defines America’s middle class wives and mothers who choose to shop at the discount superstore in order to save for their households.  It is reported that the Wal-Mart mom represents 16 percent of the electorate.  If women can choose the fate of the most powerful political leader in the world, imagine what they can do for our school systems, neighborhoods, and society at large.

America is at a tipping point.  Our country is $14.6 trillion in debt, the school dropout rate is one out of every three children, 40 percent of today’s babies are born out of wedlock (many who never know their father), child abuse is reported every 10 seconds, and 1.37 million children are aborted each year.  What’s worse, we have yet to witness the consequences resulting from these tragic events.  What could lie ahead is a generation that lacks stability, discipline, and moral guidelines.

Women play a big role in solving these social problems.  Through their experience, personal choices, and willingness to stand up and speak out for their moral values, today’s women can solve these social ills and change the course of history.

So, ladies, ignore those loud-mouth critics and speak out loud.  It’s time to stand up on behalf of our children and grandchildren.  But before you do, remember to say a little prayer.

Like many Americans across the country, I watched the presidential debates with keen interest.  What follows are initial impressions and random thoughts.  You may or may not agree with me, but I’m pretty sure a lot of you will.  So here they are, in no particular order:

1) Tim Pawlenty, whom I genuinely like, should have focused his attacks on Obama instead of Michele Bachmann because it’s embarrassing when a girl kicks your butt.

2) Rick Santorum shined by standing on principle.

3) Jon Huntsman was as utterly lackluster as expected.

4) Newt Gingrich was the most clear-headed speaker regarding the debt commission.  It probably won’t work, and we need to cut spending now.

5) Ron Paul still remains the grumpy guy we all enjoy watching. (Get out of my yard kids!)

6) Herman Cain’s business experience works much better for him than his theological musings.

7) Was Mitt Romney there?  Oh yeah.  He said some stuff, too.

Good news!  Obama isn’t out to kill grandma after all.  He’s just threatening to hold up her social security check. … which would mean she can’t buy groceries. … which means she’d go hungry. … and grow weak. … and … and … OH MY WORD!!  Obama is trying to kill grandma — again!!!

[Insert collective sigh here.]  Seriously?  Obama is threatening to hold up seniors’ August retirement checks?  What a piece of work.  That he’s seriously going to give grandma the shake down (or at least shake her up) in order to try and force the GOP to go his way on the budget is sad, indeed, especially when one of the ways he can save money is by cutting his pet project, Planned Parenthood. 

But let’s be honest, grandma’s a better target.  She’s the classic sympathy picture — old, living on a fixed income, and needing our help.  She’s dependent on us, and if we don’t come to her aid, she’ll die.  The president’s just in an awful predicament.  Naturally, he doesn’t want to do it.  No.  Not at all.  It’s not his fault.  It’s the big, bad GOP that wants to cut and cap spending and balance the budget.  Darn those Republicans. 

And it’s not like the president can cut funding for abortions or anything.  I mean, why rile up the feminists?  Mercy no.  We’re not that far gone yet.  Better to target grandma, for pity’s sake.  The young, virile, liberal-headed, Obama-voting college sweethearts need access to abortion more than Republican-leaning seniors need food anyway, right? 

Hope and change: In with the new.  Out with the old folks.  Shame on you, Mr. President!