GOP Coaching Candidates on How to Run Against Women

In the hopes of avoiding another "legitimate rape" incident, the National Republican Congressional Committee has been meeting with top aides to sitting GOP congressmen, coaching them on how they and their bosses should talk about social issues—particularly if they're running against a woman, Politico reports. "Let me put it this way, some of these guys have a lot to learn," one GOP staffer involved said. John Boehner is a major force behind the initiative, and his staff has been involved in planning it.

“We’re just trying to get them to be a little more sensitive,” said Boehner, according to Roll Call. “You look around the Congress, there are a lot more females in the Democratic caucus than there are in the Republican conference, and some of our members just aren’t as sensitive as they ought to be.” Of course, not everyone's interested in sensitivity. Politico also reported that Rep. Randy Forbes of Virginia is trying to convince the NRCC not to support or fund gay candidates. Asked about it, Boehner said the party should support gay candidates, and Forbes himself was evasive. "GOP leaders can do whatever they want to do," he said. (More John Boehner stories.)