Obama Camp Tries to Trip Mitt Romney on Women

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney ought to be careful who he praises on the campaign trail—the Obama camp is waiting to pounce. [See pictures of Mitt Romney on the campaign trail.]

Friday, Obama's campaign tried to link Romney to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker after the governor signed a controversial piece of legislation concerning equal pay for women.

Thursday, Walker repealed the 2009 "Equal Pay Enforcement Act," which allowed workers to bring their employment discrimination suits to a less expensive circuit court, rather than require them to go through a federal court system. [See pictures of Obama's re-election campaign.]

The Obama campaign wasted no time trying to force a connection between Walker and Romney, who offered up many compliments to the Wisconsin governor during his time in the state. During campaign stops, Romney continuously  praised the anti-union governor, who will face a recall election in June.

"As he campaigned across Wisconsin, Mitt Romney repeatedly praised Gov. Scott Walker's leadership, calling him a 'hero' and 'a man of courage,' Obama campaign spokeswoman Lis Smith said. "But with his signing yesterday of a bill [making] it harder for women to enforce in court their right to equal pay, Walker showed how far Republicans are willing to go to undermine not only women's healthcare, but also their economic security."

Obama's campaign has been quick to capitalize on what it has characterized as the GOP's attack on women's rights, but Romney has been reluctant to join the fray.

The Obama campaign asked Romney to pick a position on the new Wisconsin law.

"Mitt Romney has repeatedly dismissed the effect of Republican efforts to rollback access to contraception and other healthcare services on the women's vote, saying that he would appeal to women by talking about their economic concerns," Smith said. "If this is the case, does Romney think women should have ability to take their bosses to court to get the same pay as their male coworkers? Or does he stand with Governor Walker against this?"

• Check out U.S. News Weekly: an insider's guide to politics and policy.
• Read Why Romney and Obama are Both Out of Touch.
• Read Santorum Takes a Break, Meets With Conservative Leaders.

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