CNN removes story about how hormones affect women's voting

  1. Though CNN has unpublished the story, highlights from it were tweeted and the story was captured and republished in its entirety on the Daily Kos.
  2. It's okay, CNN. Even though you took down the story, I saved some of the quotes. Ready? Here we go.
  3. "When women are ovulating, they 'feel sexier,' and therefore lean more toward liberal attitudes on abortion and marriage equality."
  4. [T]he effects could cancel themselves out, since different women will be on different cycles when they vote...
  5. "While the campaigns eagerly pursue female voters, there’s something that may raise the chances...
  6. ... for both presidential candidates that’s totally out of their control: women’s ovulation cycles."
  7. "New research suggest that hormones may influence female voting choices differently...
  8. ...depending on whether a woman is single or in a committed relationship."
  9. "The researchers found that during the fertile time of the month, when levels of the hormone estrogen are high...
  10. ...single women appeared more likely to vote for Obama and committed women appeared more likely to vote for Romney"
  11. "Researcher": "I think they’re overcompensating for the increase of the hormones motivating them to have sex with other men."
  12. Most importantly: "several political scientists who read the study have expressed skepticism about its conclusions."
  13. "Obama and Romney are both handsome, in good physical shape and could fit the type of 'provider of the family,'...
  14. ... so either could fit the ideal, depending on a woman's preference."
  15. Here's the entire story:
  16. The story's author, Elizabeth Landau, clarified a few things on Twitter:
  17. For the record, I was reporting on a study to be published in a peer-reviewed journal & included skepticism. I did not conduct the study.
  18. @jorcohen @KylieSobel @skenigsberg Hi everyone, I included several political scientists saying these conclusions are not valid.
  19. Reaction was immediate:

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Julie Moos

Senior digital editor at McClatchy's DC bureau. Previously: Poynter, WRAL. Homes: Arlington, Safety Harbor. Chicago, Barnard, Chapel Hill. Constants: Politics, bookish, Jew, mom.

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