>> BONNIE ERBE: THIS WEEK ONTO THE CONTRARY, FIRST, HOW ARE PRESIDENT'S TRUMP'S NEVER ENDING DEROGATORY DESCRIPTIONS OF WOMEN AFFECTING WOMEN'S STATUS?

THEN WOMEN OF COLOR AND PROGRESSIVE REPUBLICANS PUSH FOR A PINK AND BLUE WAVE.

>> BONNIE: HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, HORSEFACE, POCAHONTAS.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW CHOICE WORDS FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO USED THEM TO REFER TO WOMEN WHO OPPOSE HIM.

EARLIER WORDS INCLUDE LOW LIFE, FAT AND UGLY.

THIS WEEK IN A TWEET, TRUMP CALLED ADULT FILM ACTRESS, STORMY DANIELS, HORSEFACE AFTER A DEFAMATION LAWSUIT SHE BROUGHT AGAINST HIM WAS DISMISSED.

TRUMP ALSO REFERS TO SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN AS POCAHONTAS BECAUSE SHE CLAIMS SOME NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE.

TRUMP SAID HE WOULD DONATE $1 MILLION TO HER FAVORITE CHARITY IF SHE PROVED HER HERITAGE.

BUT THIS WEEK WHEN SHE PRESENTED PROOF OF SOME NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE, TRUMP REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD.

EARLIER HE MOCKED CHRISTINE BLAZEY FORD AND HER TESTIMONY AT THE KAVANAUGH HEARING ON A 60 MINUTES INTERVIEW LAST WEEKEND.

TRUMP SAID HE WOULDN'T HAVE WON THE NOMINATION BUT FOR THESE KINDS OF COMMENTS.

THESE INSULTS DON'T SIT WELL WITH DEMOCRATIC WOMEN.

BUT JENNIFER LIN, OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOR PROGRESS, SAYS THEY ALSO OFFEND REPUBLICAN WOMEN.

>> JENNIFER: WE HAVE SEEN WHAT DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE EVEN THOUGH THEY HOPED FOR THE BEST WITH DONALD TRUMP AND THEY HAD BEEN VOTING REPUBLICAN ALL THEIR LIFE WE SAW WHAT HE COULD DO.

AND ESPECIALLY HOW HE'S DEVALUING WOMEN EVERY TIME -- EVERY TYPE OF WOMEN.

THAT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE, AND WOMEN ESPECIALLY ARE TIRED OF IT AND TIRED OF HAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ESPECIALLY NOT PUSH BACK WHEN HE DOES THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> BONNIE: TRUMP SAYS WOMEN STAND BEHIND HIM.

HE USES A 2016 EXIT POLLS THAT SHOWS HE WON WITH 52% OF THE WHITE WOMEN'S VOTE COMPARED WITH 43% FOR HILLARY CLINTON.

BUT NOW COMES A MORE RELIABLE AND NEW ANALYSIS FROM THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER THAT USED VERIFIED VOTER RECORDS.

PEW FINDS TRUMP STILL SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF CLINTON AMONG WHITE WOMEN VOTERS BUT THE NUMBERS ARE DIFFERENT.

47% TO 45%.

SO, REPRESENTATIVE EDWARDS, HOW DOES THE PRESIDENT'S DEMEANING OF WOMEN IN THIS PUBLIC WAY, IF AT ALL, AFFECT WOMEN'S STATUS IN SOCIETY?

>> I THINK INCREASINGLY THE VIEWS THAT THE PRESIDENT HOLDS ON WOMEN ARE PRETTY BAKED-IN TO WHERE WOMEN ARE, WHICH IS WHY YOU SEE MORE REPUBLICAN WOMEN, INDEPENDENT WOMEN, CERTAINLY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN LEANING TOWARD DEMOCRATS AND AGAINST TRUMP.

>> I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE.

IT IS DISGUSTING AND I DON'T LIKE HEARING ANY OF IT AND I THINK IT SHOULD OPEN OUR EYES TO THE LARGER CONVERSATION IN WHICH PUBLIC FIGURES ARE SAYING ALL SORTS OF TERRIBLE THINGS AND ACTING IN A BAD WAY TOWARDS WOMEN.

IT GOES BEYOND PARTY LINES.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THIS DOES ENABLE SORT OF MEN WHO ALREADY HAVE THIS KIND OF ATTITUDE TOWARDS WOMEN TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS KIND OF LANGUAGE SORT OF FREELY AND OPENLY.

BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT THERE IS A FLIP SIDE THAT IS HELPING, I THINK, MORE WOMEN TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH MEN ABOUT HOW HORRIFIC IT IS TO ALWAYS BE DISCUSSED WITH REGARD TO OUR APPEARANCE.

>> I THINK THAT YOU'RE SEEING, THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT, A HARDENING OF DISCOURSE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHETHER IT RELATES TO WOMEN OR THINGS HE SAYS ABOUT WOMEN IS JUST A BY-PRODUCT OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE IN.

I THINK HE'S CONTRIBUTING A GREAT DEAL TO THE DIMINISHED ROLE THAT WOMEN ARE SEEING IN CULTURE.

>> BONNIE: DO YOU THINK IT IS AFFECTING UNEDUCATED WOMEN MORE THAN HIGH SCHOOL OR LESS-EDUCATED WOMEN AS OPPOSED TO COLLEGE-EDUCATED WOMEN OR ARE THE LESS-EDUCATED, AS HE PUTS IT -- I LOVE LESS-EDUCATED PEOPLE.

ARE THEY GETTING HIT BY THIS MORE?

>> I THINK THAT WE'VE SEEN HIS SUPPORT FALLS MORE ALONG DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS, NOT JUST GENDER.

IT IS ON EDUCATION AND RURAL VERSUS URBAN AND IT IS INCOME LEVEL, RIGHT.

GENDER IS SORT OF A BY-PRODUCT OF ALL THAT.

I DO THINK THAT SORT OF -- >> BONNIE ERBE: A BY-PRODUCT OF ALL THAT MEANS?

>> EDUCATION AND OTHER DEMOCRAT GRAPHIC VARIABLES OPPOSED TO THIS IS A WOMAN VERSUS MALE KIND OF THING.

WE KNOW THERE IS RACIAL DIVISION.

WE KNOW THERE IS EDUCATION DIVISIONS BUT ULTIMATELY YES, LOWER EDUCATION, LOWER INCOME WOMEN SUPPORT TRUMP MORE BUT I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT TIE DO THINK THAT THERE IS A COURSENNING OF OUR RHETORIC.

I THINK IT IS HORRIBLE.

I THINK IT IS HELPFUL IF WE ALL STEP BACK AND SAY THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF DEMOCRATS THIS YEAR AND REPUBLICANS THIS YEAR WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND THEMSELVES IN TROUBLE AND A LOT OF HOT WATER BECAUSE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, BECAUSE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

WOMEN WHO HAVE STOOD BY MALE CHIEF'S OF STAFF THEY KNEW WERE DOING THINGS.

PERHAPS IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE NOW TO SAY, HEY, WE'RE IN 2018.

IT IS TIME TO HAVE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION ABOUT WOMEN.

>> WELL, I DO THINK THE DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS IN THE COUNTRY ACTUALLY DON'T PORTRAY WELL FOR THE TRUMPS OF THE WORLD.

IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN NOW BUT I THINK OVER THIS PERIOD OF TIME, MORE YOUNG PEOPLE JUST DON'T THINK LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BEGIN TO WEIGH IN ON OUR POLITICS AND WHAT WE HOPE IS THAT THIS KIND OF LANGUAGE DOESN'T TRANSLATE INTO THE KINDS OF CONCERNS THAT WOMEN WHO HAVE LESS EDUCATION MAYBE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES HAVE IN THEIR WORKPLACES AND IN THEIR -- IN THEIR HOMES.

WE DON'T WANT IT TO STICK.

>> BONNIEYOU LOOK AT THE POLLS ALL THE TIME.

HOW MUCH OF IT IS STICKING ALREADY?

>> WELL, I THINK -- >> BONNIE ERBE: AND HOW MUCH OF IT MAY HAVE HELPED CREATE THE ME TOO MOVEMENT BECAUSE THE WOMEN WHO HEARD IT AND DIDN'T WANT TO PUT UP WITH IT SAID WAIT A SECOND.

THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.

>> PRICE.

I DO THINK THERE IS A SORT OF GENERATIONAL CULTURAL MOMENT OF ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT WE SHOULDN'T FORGET THAT OUR SORT OF ENTERTAINMENT CULTURE -- >> THANK YOU.

>> HAS ALSO GONE THROUGH THIS UNBELIEVABLE COARSENING.

IF YOU WATCH ANY OF THE NEWS MANUFACTURED -- BUT THERE IS A MANUFACTURED REALITY SHOW, RIGHT, AS THOUGH IT IS AUTHENTIC BUT IT IS NOT.

IT IS ALL SCRIPTED.

MOST OF IT INVOLVES THIS KIND OF COARSE LANGUAGE, THESE KINDS OF INSULTS AND TO A CERTAIN DEGREE THE PRESIDENT IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF THAT THAN I WOULD ARGUE THAT HE'S IN FACT LEADING IT.

THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT WE HEAR HIS RHETORIC MUCH MORE THAN WE HEAR SOME OF THAT OTHER ENTERTAINMENT.

>> I DON'T MEAN TO JUMP IN BUT I WAS THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING.

I THINK SOME OF US HERE IN WASHINGTON WHO MAYBE ARE NOT LISTENING TO THE TOP CHARTS AND WATCHING, YOU KNOW, EVERY KIND OF TV SHOW OUT THERE ARE SORT OF SURPRISED WHEN WE HEAR THE SPECIALTY SPEAK THIS WAY BUT I HAVE PUT ON MUSIC WITH MY CHILDREN AND TURNED IT OFF AND THOUGHT OH MY GOODNESS, THIS IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE HEARING ALL THE TIME SO I THINK THAT WE'RE FEELING MORE SURPRISED AS WE LIVE IN A LITTLE BUBBLE IN WASHINGTON AND THAT IS NOT UNFORTUNATELY WHAT A LOT OF AMERICANS HEAR.

>> BONNIE ERBE: BUT DO YOU THINK IT IS AFFECTING WOMEN -- WE HAVE READ THERE ARE LOTS OF DIVORCES THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY WITH THE MEN SUPPORTING THEM AND WOMEN BEING ENTIRELY OFFENDED BY THIS GUY.

DO YOU THINK IT'S BEING IN CULCATED BY SOME WOMEN WHO ARE SAYING, THAT'S OKAY OR THEIR HUSBANDS LAUGH IT OFF OR BOYFRIENDS OR WHATEVER SO THEY LAUGH IT OFF.

OF.

>> I DO THINK THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT AND I THINK IN THE SEGMENT IT WAS POINTED OUT AGAIN THE ASSUMPTIONS WE MADE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN ARE FURIOUS ABOUT HIS BEHAVIOR HIS RHETORIC AND COMMENTARY.

THERE IS A LARGE PORTION OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN THAT FEEL THAT WAY, TOO.

MAYBE BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE DC BUBBLE I FEEL THAT WAY BUT I TALK TO MANY REPUBLICAN WOMEN THAT FIND THE RHETORIC ABHORRENT AND WE BECOME IMMUNE TO AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME AND WE'RE EXPOSED TO IT U NOT HEALTHY FOR CULCATED IS IT YOUR OR WOMEN AND POLITICS TO THINK THAT WE'RE IN A PLACE HE SAID HORSEFACE.

NAY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

THAT IS THE PRESIDENT WE HAVE LETTED ELECTED HIM AND HE'S COMING OUT WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE THIS.

>> BONNIE ERBE: RIGHT.

BUT DO YOU THINK, FOR EXAMPLE, ANY WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE ARE THEY SUFFERING MORE ABUSE BY THEIR MALE BOSSES BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S ATTITUDE?

HAS IT BLED INTO SOCIETY THAT WAY?

>> THAT IS THE PART WE REALLY DON'T QUITE KNOW YET BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS GOING TO THAT ON NOVEMBER 6TH, WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT THAT GENDER GAP REALLY IS.

I BELIEVE THAT THE PRESIDENT'S LANGUAGE HIS CONSTANT DEMEANING OF WOMEN AND DECLARATIVE SENTENCE THE PRESIDENT IS A MASSAGENIST AND GOING TO PLAY OUT IN THE THIS ELECTION AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME OF IT.

>> BONNIE ERBE: LENTOUS KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: WOMEN'S MOVEMENTS BEFORE THE MIDTERMS.

THERE'S THE INAUGURAL SHE THE PEOPLE SUMMIT BILLED AS THE FIRST NATIONAL GATHERING FOR WOMEN OF COLOR INVOLVED IN PROGRESSIVE POLITICS.

AND THERE'S REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOR PROGRESS.

WITH THE 2018 MIDTERMS AROUND THE CORNER, EXPERTS AGREE THAT DEMOCRATS CAN ONLY ACHIEVE THEIR DREAM OF A WAVE ELECTION IF THEY ACTIVATE THESE KEY VOTING BLOCS.

>> WE ARE THE KING AND QUEEN MAKERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THAT MEANS THAT NO ONE IS GOING TO BE WINNING A HOUSE SEAT, A GOVERNOR STATE WIDE SEAT, A SENATE SEAT, OR WINNING A PRESIDENCY FOR THE DEMOCRATS WITHOUT THE ENTHUSIASTIC, CONSISTENT, SUSTAINED, AND HIGH VOTE TURNOUT OF WOMEN OF COLOR.

WE AS A GROUP ARE THE MOST PROGRESSIVE AT THE POLLS AND BLACK WOMEN AS A SUBSET OF WOMEN OF COLOR ARE THE MOST LOYAL DEMOCRATS.

THAT ALL MATTERS AND IT IS TIME THAT THE REST OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND FRANKLY THE COUNTRY RECOGNIZE THAT.

>> BONNIE: AIMEE ALLISON HOSTS THE PODCAST DEMOCRACY IN COLOR AND FOUNDED SHE THE PEOPLE.

>> AIMEE: THE STRATEGY IS TO EMPOWER A MULTIRACIAL PROGRESSIVE COALITION, WE CALL IT THE NEW AMERICAN MAJORITY.

THAT IS THE MAJORITY OF ALL VOTERS.

IT IS THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ELECTED AND RE-ELECTED BARACK OBAMA.

MOST RECENTLY I FOUNDED SHE THE PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE THE COUNTRY'S STRONGEST PROGRESSIVES AND THE CORE OF THE NEW AMERICAN MAJORITY.

>> BONNIE: JENNIFER LIM CO-FOUNDED REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOR PROGRESS, FORMERLY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOR HILLARY.

>> JENNIFER: WE ACTUALLY HAVE OUR WOMEN TO WATCH LIST HERE, WHERE WE'VE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENT WOMEN, REPUBLICAN WOMEN WHO ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, AND SO MANY OF THEM ARE MINORITIES WHICH IS AMAZING, BUT THE SAD PART IS, A LOT OF MINORITIES DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

AND SO, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE THEIR VOICE IS IMPORTANT IN THIS ELECTION.

>> LINN BELIEVES THERE IS NOT MUCH ROOM IN THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR WOMEN AND THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO THEM.

THE ORGANIZATION IS RUNNING ADS IN 10 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS SUPPORTING DEMOCRATS, NOT REPUBLICANTION.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF AMAZING PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW.

>> >> BONNIE ERBE: ALSO THE COUNTRY'S POLITICS BECOME MORE POLARIZED ALONG RACIAL AND GENDER LINES CONCERNS GROW ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION.

DEMOCRATS ACCUSE REPUBLICANS OF RELYING ON TACTICS THAT MAKE IT HARDER TO VOTE AND PERSONALLING VOTER ROLL TO SAY MAINTAIN THEIR MAJORITY IN CONGRESS EVEN AGENCIES THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF AMERICA CONTINUE TO CHANGE.

ONE CASE OF ALLEGED VOTER SUPPRESSION MAKING NATIONAL HEADLINES IS IN GEORGIA INVOLVING STACY ABRAMS WHO COULD BECOME THE FIRST FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOVERNOR.

>> YOU HAVE STACY ABRAMS WHO IS RUNNING A FANTASTIC CAMPAIGN THAT BRINGS MORE PEOPLE -- YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FREQUENT VOTERS, BRINGS THEM INTO THE CAMPAIGNING AND BRINGS THEM INTO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

SHE'S DEEPLY INSPIRING TO VOTERS OF COLOR AND GEORGIA IS MAJORITY VOTERS OF COLOR.

AND THEN YOU HAVE BRIAN KEMP.

BRIAN KEMP IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE AND BRIAN KEMP IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE AND HE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF TAKING PEOPLE OFF THE VOTER ROLLS.

LITERALLY TAKING PEOPLE OFF.

THERE WAS A RECENT, LAST WEEK, A STUDY THAT CAME OUT THAT SHOWED THAT OVER THE LIFE OF HIS TIME AS SECRETARY OF STATE HE'S REMOVED OVER A MILLION PEOPLE FROM THE VOTER ROLLS.

>> BONNIE: REPUBLICANS SAY THEY ARE ONLY TAKING MORE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT VOTER FRAUD.

BUT DEMOCRATS CALL VOTER FRAUD A MYTH.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOR PROGRESS SAY THEY'RE JUST EXCITED ABOUT THE ABRAMS CANDIDACY.

WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO VOTER SUPRESSION.

BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT CANDIDATES LIKE STACY ABRAMS AND HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY CAN GET OUT TO VOTE IN ALL OF THESE CRITICAL ELECTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK ABOUT HER I JUST THINK ABOUT THIS NEW BRAND OF CANNED THAT WE'RE SEEING.

I THINK SHE IS SO EMBLEMMATIC HOW TIRED PEOPLE ARE OF THESE POLITICIANS WHO ARE ONLY FOCUSING ON PARTY IDEOLOGY AND SOMEBODY LIKE ABRAMS REALLY BRINGS A FRESH LOOK.

>> BONNIE: ALLISON SAYS BEYOND WINNING OR LOSING RACES, 2018 HAS BEEN A GREAT YEAR FOR WOMEN OF COLOR IN TERMS OF GAINING INFLUENCE AND CREATING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO AFFECT THE FUTURE.

>> I HAVE DECLARED 2018 THE WOMEN OF COLOR.

IT IS TRULY THE YEAR WOMEN OF COLOR CAME INTO WHAT I CALL THEIR FIERCE AND LOVING LEADERSHIP AND COLLECTIVE POWER.

>> SO SJEN, YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT.

DO YOU THINK SHE'S RIGHT?

>> I THINK THE CHALLENGE THAT WE FACE AND I'LL BE HONEST PERSONALLY I DON'T LIKE TO BE THE ONLY ONE IN THE ROOM A LOT OF TIMES AND I'LL SAY AS A REPUBLICAN WOMAN WHO IS MINORITY AND AFRICAN I FIND IT CHALLENGING.

I THINK OUR PARTY HAS SOME WORK TO DO AND FRANKLY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WHAT SCARES ME MORE THE ENVIRONMENT, THE RHETORIC AND DIALOGUE YOU SEMIWHAT IS HAPPENING.

IN ARKANSAS WITH FRENCH HILL AND THE RACIAL TRIPS THAT ARE USED, DON'T FACILITATE YOU LOT OF INTEREST IN RECRUITING FEMALE REPUBLICAN WOMEN WHO ARE MINORITIES TO BE PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY E >> BONNIE ERBE: WHAT DO YOU SEE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE IS THIS THE YEAR OF THE WOMEN OF COLOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY U I THINK IT IS.

I THINK THE HARD PART FOR ME IS UNDERSTANDING WHY WE'RE STILL BEHIND AS REPUBLICAN TO SORT OF CATCH UP TO THAT CONVERSATION.

I THINK THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY REASONS WHY I'M A REPUBLICAN THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ME IN MY VALUES.

BUT THE FACT THAT 4% OF BLACK WOMEN VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP TELLS YOU ABOUT THE WORK WE HAVE TO DO TO GET MORE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN TO ENGAGE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND NOT QUITE GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO IF THE ENVIRONMENT DOESN'T FACILITATE.

>> BONNIE ERBE: THE WORK YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AT THIS POINT BECAUSE EVER SINCE THE BIG DAYS OF LEE -- AT WATER BACK IN THE WHAT, WHAT WAS THAT THE 80S OR SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REBECOME THE PARTY OF LINCOLN AND HAVE A LOT OF PERSONS OF COLOR UNDER THE TENT.

BUT UNDER TRUMP IS ANY WORK BEING DONE TO -- YOU KNOW, ARE TO ADVANCE MINORITIES AND GET MORE OF THEM INTO THE PARTY?

>> I TELL PEOPLE WHEN I SPEAK IT IS LIKE THE HOLY GRAIL.

I THINK IT IS GETTING MORE IN CONGRESS AND FEDERAL OFFICE AND ENGAGE IN POLICY U I THINK THE NEXT STEP IS GETTING MORE MINORITY WOMEN.

I THINK WE HAD STRONG CANDIDATES ON THIS CYCLE BUT ON REPUBLICAN SIDE THERE IS MONEY AND MOTIVATION FACTOR AND WHEN IT COMES TO MINORITIES, WOMEN CANDIDATES ZERO -- WE HAD SEVERAL THAT AN BUT NOWHERE ON THE INTENSITY THAT WE HAVE -- >> WHEN YOU SAY THERE IS A MONEY FACTOR THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK HIS WAR CHEST FOR HIS SECOND ELECTION IS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

IS $100 MILLION.

DWARFING EVERYBODY ELSE'S AT THIS POINT BY MULTITUDES OF FIVE AND 10.

SO IS HE GIVING ANY OF THAT MONEY TO GET REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF COLOR ELECTED?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT COMES OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

MARTHA ROBEY IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.

SHE'S NAVAL A MINORITY BUT SOMEBODY OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE PRESIDENT AND WHEN SHE GOT INTO POLITICAL TROUBLE REALIZED SHE NEEDED A LIFELINE.

THAT MONEY CAME FLOWING IN AND SHE SAID VERY NICE THINGS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT.

SOME OF THE WOMEN I MET WITH THE CYCLE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE I THINK IT IS HARD TO NOT BE RUBBER STAMPED BY THE PRESIDENT AND NOT GET RESOURCES IN RETURN.

>> THERE ARE TWO THINGS.

ONE WOMEN WON'T ACHIEVE PARITY UNLESS REPUBLICAN ONE WOMEN COME MORE IN THE FOLD.

YOU CANNOT HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE ONLY WOMEN THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY REPRESENTING ALL OF THE COUNTRY ARE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN THAT.

JUST WON'T WORK.

>> BUT DO YOU THING -- WILL 2018 BE THE YEAR OF THE WOMAN OF COLOR AS -- >> ABSOLUTELY, DO I THINK THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB RECRUITING AND FUNDING THEIR CANDIDATES AND HELPING CANDIDATES GET THROUGH THE PRIMARY AND, ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE WOMEN AND MORE WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING OF A FUNCTION OF MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

WE KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY USUALLY DOES WORSE THAN THE CHALLENGEER PARTY.

THAT SAID I WANT TO BRING UP SOME OF THE WORK THAT MICHELLE SWEARS AS DONE AT GEORGETOWN.

SHE HAS REALLY FOUND THAT ONE OF THE CHALLENGES FOR REPUBLICAN WOMEN IS THAT REPUBLICAN WOMEN TEND NOT TO DONATE TO OTHER REPUBLICAN WOMEN IN THE SAME KIND OF WAY THAT DEMOCRATIC WOMEN DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC WOMEN.

SO A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN SAY, GOSH, I WANT TO GIVE MONEY.

YOU KNOW, TO OTHER WOMEN.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN SAY I WANT TO GIVE TO THE BEST CANDIDATE.

THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A WOMAN.

>> WELL, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WOMEN OF COLOR BECAUSE I THINK THAT PART OF THE REASON THAT YOU SEE THAT 96 PERCENT OF BLACK WOMEN VOTED FOR HILLARY CLINTON BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHARES THEIR VALUES.

THE REALITY IS YOU LOOK ACROSS THE BOARD AT THE WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE RUNNING AGAINST THIS ELECTION, GOD LOVE THEM.

IT WASN'T BECAUSE THEY WERE SUPPORTED IN THEIR PRIMARY ELECTIONS BY THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THE DEMOCRATIC HAS TO DO AND IN EXFOR THE VOTES IN -- >> BONNIE ERBE: WHAT, FUNDING THEIR CAMPAIGNS?

>> FUNDING THEIR CAMPAIGNS BUT EXCHANGING THE VOTES THE BLACK WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR, HAS TO COME POWER AND REAL LEADERSHIP AND A PLACE AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLE AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE 2018 IS GOING TO BE A REAL DIFFERENCE MAKER.

>> BONNIE ERBE: IF THEY RETAKE THE HOW ELSE AND IF AS WIDELY EXPECTED SPEAKER BELCH NANCY PROCEED -- PELOSI STEPS DOWN AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION, THERE IS ANY CHANCE, ANY WOMEN OF COLOR IN THE HOUSE WHO COULD BECOME SPEAKER AND REPLACE HER?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE PREDICTIONS ON THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I THINK THE FIELD FOR THAT KIND OF RACE IS WIDE OPEN.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS WOMEN IN PARTICULAR AND PARTICULARLY ELECTED WOMEN ARE DEMANDING A SEAT AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLE.

NOT JUST FOR VOTES AND NOT JUST TO FILL OUT AN EMPTY CHAIR AT THE TABLE BUT REALLY TO MAKE DECISIONS.

AND I THINK THERE IS WHERE THE VOICES OF WOMEN OF COLOR ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

SOMEBODY LIKE STACY ABRAMS.

STACEY ABRAMS WAS NOT THE CHOSEN CANDIDATE IN GEORGIA.

SHE PUSHED THROUGH AND SHE RAN ANYWAY.

SHE WAS NOT RECRUITED.

SHE RAN HERSELF.

THAT IS TRUE FOR SO MANY OTHER WOMEN OF COLOR AND PARTICULARLY BLACK WOMEN WHO ARE RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

I THINK THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES TO SAY HERE WHAT IS OUR LEADERSHIP LOOKS LIKE.

LET THEM DEFINE IT.

>> AND I THINK TO BOTH OF YOUR POINTS, THIS MAY BE SOME OF THIS WAVE MAY BE SORT OF A DIRECT RESPONSE TO TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY.

BUT IT WOULD NOT BE THIS MUCH OF A WAVE HAD THE DEMOCRATS NOT HAD THIS FOUNDATION FOR YEARS IN WHICH IT IS VERY CLEAR AND I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ON THE SHOW FOR MANY YEARS, DEMOCRATS TAKE GENDER DIFFERENCES FAR MORE SERIOUSLY THAN REPUBLICANS AND I THINK THE STUDY YOU POINT TO OUT OF GEORGETOWN WAS TELLING.

>> BONNIE ERBE: THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT CAME OUT THAT SHOWED WHEN DID WOMEN ARE ON A PANEL LIKE THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THAT PEOPLE FEEL THAT WHATEVER THE RESULT IS THAT COMES OUT OF IT LIKE THE SUPREME COURT, THEY BELIEVE THAT IT IS MORE FAIR.

AND MORE TRUSTWORTHY.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK THIS IS WHERE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MY SORT OF RIGHT OF CENTER FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TO THINK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

YOUR GENDER DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE UP YOUR ENTIRE IDENTITY BUT IS PART OF OUR IDENTITY.

IT IS PART OF HOW I THINK ABOUT POLICY BECAUSE I'M A WIFE AND A MOTHER AND A WOMAN.

I THINK BEGINNING TO THINK ABOUT THAT IS SO HELPFUL.

AS WE GET MORE WOMEN IN THE FOLD WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FEWER OF THE SPECIESEDDED EXEXTREMES.

RIGHT NOW WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE WE HAVE HILLARY CLINTON ON ONE END AND ANOTHER CONSERVATIVE WOMEN ON THE OTHER END.

WE DON'T THINK ABOUT MEN THAT WAY.

WE DON'T THINK OF JUST THE EXTREMES.

WE HAVE ALL THE MEN IN THE MIDDLE.

WE NEED TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE MORE WOMEN BRINGING THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND A MORE MODERATE TONE.

>> BONNIE ERBE: BUT GETTING AWAY FOR A SECOND FROM WOMEN OF COLOR I SMILED WHEN YOU WERE SAYING THAT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T GO WITHOUT NOTICE THAT SUSAN CALMLINS WHEN SHE MADE HER VERY -- WHAT A LOT OF WOMEN SEE, PROGRESSIVE WOMEN CERTAINLY SEE AS AN ANTI-WOMEN SPEECH WHEN SHE ENDORSED -- SAID SHE WOULD VOTE FOR KAVANAUGH.

SHE WAS ED BY TWO WHITE FEMALE REPUBLICAN SENATORS.

SO THE VISUALS WERE THERE FOR -- FOR AND REPUBLICANS WERE CLEARLY SENSITIVE TO IT.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK REPUBLICANS IN SOME RESPECT HAVE GROWN QUITE A LOT AND OTHER -- AS WE TALKED ABOUT A FEW MINUTES AGO WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF REPUBLICANS TURNED OFF BY THE KIND OF LANGUAGE WE HEAR OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN THINK OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND NOT JUST THANK YOU PARTY.

>> QUICKLY.

WOMEN OF COLOR IS MORE THAN JUST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.

THERE ARE ASIAN WOMEN.

THEY RANGE FROM TODAY'S CHINESE AND INDIAN IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE THE MAJORITY OF IMMIGRANTS OF ASIAN DESCENT AND BACK -- GOING BACK TO VIETNAM WHEN THEY WERE THE MAJORITY OF ASIANS COMING INTO THIS COUNTRY AFTER THE WAR.

ARE RELATIONSHIPS JELLING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BETWEEN WOMEN OF DIFFERENT COLORS?

>> OH, I THINK >> BONNIE ERBE: WITH EACH OTHER?

>> I THINK ABSOLUTELY AND IN THIS UPCOMING CONGRESS WE'RE GOING TO SEE TWO MORE MUSLIM WOMEN JOIN THE CONGRESS.

WE WILL LIKELY SEE TWO MORE NATIVE WOMEN WHO WILL JOIN THE CONGRESS.

THIS REALLY DOES, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF REAL DIVERSITY WITHIN WOMEN OF COLOR AND I THINK THAT -- AND THEY WORK TOGETHER.

THEY ORGANIZE TOGETHER.

AND I THINK THAT THAT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED IS TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPONENTS TO ALL OF THESE ISSUES SORT OF SPLINTERING EVEN AMONG WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> BONNIE ERBE: JENNIFER.

>>THE PART OF THE REASON WHY I DO THIS SHOW NOT ONLY BECAUSE I THINK THAT YOU'RE AN AMAZING HOST AND I LOVE THE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES THAT TO THE CONTRARY PROVIDES, I THINK THAT PEOPLE NEED TO SEE MORE WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE REPUBLICANS ON TELEVISION SEEMING RATIONAL NOT IN THE CORNER BOXES ON CNN.

YOU ALSO MADE A POINT ABOUT SUSAN COLLINS AND SUGGEST BEHIND THE DIAL AND TINA SMITH AND MORE CAP AT THAT AND I SAY MEW GOAL AND HOPE IS THAT WE HAVE MORE REPUBLICAN WOMEN WHO ARE MINORITIES AT THE TABLE AND IN THE CONVERSATION SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE LOOK ON TV THEY DON'T SEE COMALA HARRIS BUT REPUBLICAN WOMEN OF THE SAME MINDSET AND IDEOLOGY.

>> BONNIE ERBE: THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS .ORG/CONTRARY AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THEY EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY, CONTRARY," PLEASE VISIT OUR PBS WEBSITE AT: PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

>> BE MORE.