Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren released a new ad on Monday knocking Republicans in general on women's issues, while leaving out her opponent's name.
"Why do women have to fight the same old battles?" Warren asks at the opening of the ad. She goes on to mention that Republicans blocked a measure that would've given women equal pay, and supported denying insurance coverage for birth control.
Though she doesn't mention it outright, the ad is a silent nod to Rep. Todd Akin's (R-Mo.) comments on rape. When Akin said last week that pregnancy as a result of "legitimate rape" is rare because "the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," his comments were disavowed by Republicans nationwide, including Massachusetts incumbent Sen. Scott Brown, who was the first lawmaker to ask Akin to step down.
But Akin's comments have offered Democrats a convenient reason to discuss women's issues again. Though Warren doesn't mention Akin in the spot, it's a continuation of the discussion sparked last week by his comments — and one that isn't likely to end soon, as the Massachusetts Democratic Party is also highlighting the Republican Party's positions on women's issues with a publicized letter from female state lawmakers.
Warren doesn't mention Brown by name in the spot, either, but that's strategic — Massachusetts voters like the senator; Warren is banking on hopes that they will vote him out on account of his party.
Brown's campaign has slammed Warren for what they call "desperate" attacks on the incumbent that have proliferated as her unfavorable numbers have risen. They released a web video on Monday -- titled "Desperate" -- that accuses Warren of "taking her campaign into the gutter" and distorting the facts on Brown's record with women's issues.
The women's vote in Massachusetts could make the difference come November, as Warren and Brown have been locked in a tight battle for the entire election cycle, with the most recent poll showing Brown up by just 5 points.
--This post was updated at 1:13 p.m.
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