Diane Sawyer with the women of the U.S. Senate. (Photo: ABC/Martin Simon)

Yesterday, a record 20 women were sworn in to the U.S. Senate. To mark the occasion ABC's World News With Diane Sawyer had all of the female senators on for a group interview. One of the major topics of the discussion was the belief of many of the senators that they achieve better results than their male colleagues on a variety of issues including the budget, immigration reform and climate change. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow got the ball rolling when she suggested women are more inclined to get results by working in a bipartisan manner.

"It was the first time in 2001 when we had enough women to actually be on every committee, to have a woman's voice, a woman's experience [and] a woman's values on every committee. You fast forward to now, the new year. There will be six of us chairing committees and other women in the ranking member spot," Ms. Stabenow said. "And I think the public understands to get things done, we're the ones that want to work across the aisle to do that."

Maine Senator Susan Collins took the argument a step further by saying if women were in charge of the Senate and in the White House there would be a solution to the budget debate that has gripped Washington.

"I think if we were in charge of the Senate and of the administration that we would have a budget deal by now," Ms. Collins said. 

When New Hampshire's Kelly Ayotte weighed in, she backed away from Ms. Collins' point and said she was't sure a Senate and Executive branch controlled by women would have completed a budget deal.

"Well, I think that--you know, women are great problem solvers," said Ms. Ayotte. "I don't know if it would get done, but I know that the people here are committed to making sure that we solve our problems."

Ms. Sawyer pressed the point and asked how that was "different" from the male senators. Ms. Ayotte disagreed with the assertion women would be better problem solvers in the Senate than men.

"I think to say that men aren't focused on solving problems wouldn't--wouldn't be accurate," Ms. Ayotte said.

Ms. Collins stepped back in to defend her point.

"Let me just finish my thought on that," said Ms. Collins. "What I find is with all due difference to--deference to our male colleagues, that women's styles tend to be more collaborative."

Later on in the interview, Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski said she believes women bring a "sense of timeliness" to the Senate that is not shared by their male colleagues.

"I can tell you every single one of these women has great pressure on them not only for their constituents, but their families. We don't believe in the culture of delay," Ms. Mikulski said. "In this institution if they can delay a problem, pick an argument--and wait till next year they'll do it. Us, we want to get it done. And I think that's the impact when women are chairing these committees to involve, to listen, mutual respect, mutual trust and get the job done."

Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu cited a specific issue where she felt the female perspective was advantageous--immigration reform.

"I'll give you a specific on immigration reform. And I think this could come naturally to us. There's a big issue right now about S.T.E.M., about science, technology, engineering and math and extending immigration visas for doctoral candidates," said Ms. Landrieu. "When I first heard that I thought it was a great idea. But my thought was, 'I wonder about their spouses. Are they gonna get visas as well?' I mean, I don't know if a man would have thought of that. I mean, I think a perspective--when we're doing immigration reform we're thinking of not just the individuals...the visa but the family, their relationships with children or with....I think that's just one example. There could be many more. But without a woman at the table that might not come up. It could, but it may not. I think it comes up more quickly."

Ms. Sawyer went on to ask the assembled female senators whether any of them might be future presidents. Washington's Patty Murray responded that women would bring a different outlook to a presidential campaign than men.

"I think the thing is--is that every man wakes up in the morning and looks in the mirror and says, 'I could be president,'" Ms. Murray said. "I think every woman looks in the mirror and says, 'What can I get done for my country today?'"

California Senator Dianne Feinstein chimed in to say that having less testosterone makes female politicians more effective.

"I think one of the things that we have done throughout our career is earned a portfolio of expertise. We have worked our way up, we have done our apprenticeship. We understand how government should function and we want to play a role toward that positive functioning. This is one of the reasons I think women become effective originally, that they can sound that call," said Ms. Feinstein. "Another reason I think, you know, we're less on testosterone. We don't have that need to always be confrontational. And I think we're problem solvers, and I think that's what this country needs."

Ms. Feinstein continued by suggesting climate change is another issue women in the Senate may make more progress on than men have.

"I was just gonna say one other thing. If you take a big issue that men have not been able to solve, it's the issue of climate change," she explained. "What would happen if 20 of us cosponsored a bill? What would happen if we went out and mobilized American women to support that bill? It may...this may be a real point of major differentiation that we could get this done for America and essentially lead the way."

Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin concurred that women might be able to make more progress on climate change because of their "unique capability" to think about future generations.

"On that topic, I think that there's unique capability of being able to think about the effect of our actions today on generations hence that women share," Ms. Baldwin said. "We have that long range vision."

Watch Ms. Sawyer's full interview with the senators below.

President Obama holding a baby at a rally in Colorado earlier this month. (Photo: Getty)

President Barack Obama is in New Hampshire today for a campaign event. According to the White House pool report, after he arrived at the airport in Manchester this morning, President Obama stopped to shake hands with "a couple dozen supporters" on a rope line. The crowd at the airport included two toddlers holding American flags who were greeted by the president, but apparently "looked a bit disinterested."

"I do great with the 2-3 year old crowd," President Obama joked. 

His remark reportedly earned laughs from the people on the rope line. Perhaps President Obama's desire to appeal to the nursery school set explains his campaign's focus on Big Bird in recent weeks.

Ex-cop and current gun owner Val Demings. (Photo: ValDemings.com)

In advance of the upcoming elections, the women's magazine Marie Claire got a look inside the purses of several prominent female candidates for their "Running in Heels" feature. Based on their findings, iPads and other Apple gear are must-have accessories on the campaign trail, but a few of the women in the article apparently tote less standard fare including one candidate with a heavy energy drink habit and another who's packing heat.

New Mexico Senate candidate Heather Wilson, Hawaii congressional hopeful Tulsi Gabbard and Connecticut Senate candidate Linda McMahon said iPads were among the essentials in their purses. Elizabeth Warren, who is running for Senate in Massachusetts, noted she carries a "backpack" rather than a purse and said she brings around an iPod rather than a tablet.

In addition to the iPad, Ms. Wilson said she has an "iPhone, credit card, PowerBars and Rockstar Lemonade" in her "small Coach briefcase." Ms. Gabbard opts for something far more mellow than energy drinks to go along with her tablet. She revealed her purse is also stocked with "meditation beads," a hairbrush and, of course, "campaign brochures."

Locally, Queens Assemblywoman Grace Meng was featured in a separate sidebar that covered her daily routine, but didn't reveal what's inside her bag. We reached out to Ms. Meng's campaign and found the contents of her purse contents include,  baby wipes, Fresh brand lip gloss, flats, a Kellogg's cereal bar, and an iPhone.

For her part, Illinois congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth is clearly quite proud of her bag, which is a vintage store find.

“I have a fabulous vintage hot-pink purse I got for $10. It fits my speeches, netbook, Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer in Rhubarb, and Sephora Minimergency Kit,” reported Ms. Duckworth.

Tammy Baldwin, who is running for Senate in Wisconsin, said her bad holds "only the essentials."

"I keep my purse small so my male staff aren’t embarrassed if they have to hold it for me.”

By far, the most interesting find was in the purse of Democratic Florida congressional candidate and former Orlando police chief Val Demings, who is apparently armed out on the campaign trail.

“I carry a 9-millimeter gun in my Dooney & Bourke that was a gift when I retired from the police department,” she said.

View the full article below:

Mitt Romney shaking hands as his supporters held signs in front of Obama signs at the parade in Wolfeboro.

While on vacation at his home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire Mitt Romney marched in a July 4th parade in Wolfeboro where his staff and supporters butted heads with people who were there backing President Barack Obama.

"Romney's staff attempted to conceal Obama signs along the parade route, while Romney's supporters in the crowd booed as the Obama campaign marched by--attempting to drown out Obama supporters who were chanting 'Fighting for the middle class. Barack Obama has our back,'" an Obama supporter who was at the parade told The Politicker via email.

For his part, Mr. Romney complimented the Obama supporters at the parade. According to the L.A. Times, Mr. Romney "silenced" his supporters who booed at the mention of the pro-Obama contingent in a speech delivered from the back of a pickup truck after he marched.

"They were courteous and respectful and said, 'Good luck to you,' and 'Happy Fourth of July,'" Mr. Romney said. "This is a time for us to come together as a people. We have differing views on political issues, but with regards to our conviction that this nation is unique and exceptional, we must come together and show respect for what it is that makes us such a great nation."

The Obama supporter we spoke with said Mr. Romney's staff displayed a far different attitude toward their rivals.

"While we were very 'courteous' according to Mitt himself, his staff was apparently concerned about the Obama campaign getting its message out in Wolfeboro, but the fact is today's parade displayed widespread support for Obaama in Romney's hometown," they said. "You know what they say...those who know him best."

Along with marching in the Wolfeboro parade, there is also speculation Mr. Romney may have held auditions for a running mate during his New Hampshire vacation. At least two potential vice presidential nominees--Ohio Senator Rob Portman and New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte--were in the Granite State at the same time as Mr. Romney fueling chatter they may be meeting with him for an in-person vetting session.

Abby Huntsman suggested her father, Jon Hunstman, would make a worthy successor for Mike Bloomberg.

Politico's Dylan Byers needed some *sexual healing.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley lost a race against New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte.

Politico reporter Alex Burns heard about an intriguing investment opportunity.

Houston Chronicle blogger Kathleen McKinley shared an interesting observation about the death of RFK Jr.'s ex-wife.

President Barack Obama

With his latest campaign ad blitz in the battleground states, President Barack Obama would like to remind you that the economic crisis began before he was in office. His ad, which will air in nine states, articulates what are clearly becoming the main early messages of his reelection bid; the economic recovery may be slow, but it is happening and the Obama administration has made a number of acheivements that make it worth keeping the faith for the many voters who believed in him during the last election.

"In 2008 an economic meltdown, 4.4 million jobs lost, America's economy spiraling down. All before this president took the oath" a narrator says in between grim news clips from the financial crisis as the ad begins.

As shots of Tea Partiers play, the narrator said,  "some said our best days were behind us, but not him." The narrator goes on to give the Obama administration credit for several accomplishments as clips of the president play beginning with a shot of his inauguration clearly labeled "January 2009."

"He believed in us. Fought for us and today our auto industry is back firing on all cylinders. Our greatest enemy brought to justice by our greatest heroes Our troops are home from Iraq. Instead of losing jobs were creating them," the narrator said.

President Obama's ad, which is called "Go" ends with an acknowledgment the economy hasn't fully recovered. However, it argues the president still deserves the fervent hope he infamously inspired and courted in 2008.

"We're not there yet, it's still too hard for too many," the narrator said. "But we're coming back, because America's greatness comes from a strong middle class. Because you don't quit and neither does he."

"Go" is airing in all of the biggest battleground states; Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada, New Hampshire, Iowa, North Carolina, Florida and Colorado. Watch the ad below.

A map of the election results: Romney is yellow, Paul is green. (Photo: Google)

Mitt Romney's strong win last night, scoring 39% overall and 16% more than the second place finisher, Ron Paul, naturally involved winning many different groups. According to CBS News' exit poll, Mr. Romney either won outright or placed a very close second to Mr. Paul across most demographic and ideological categories. The data also reveals that he performed strongest among those describing their views as "somewhat conservative" and the very rich.

Indeed, Mr. Romney, who's very wealthy himself, won more than half of those with families making more than $200,000 a year, one of his highest percentages in the entire exit poll. Among those making $50,000 or less, Mr. Romney only tied Mr. Paul, each earning less than a third of that financially modest vote.

Ideologically, Mr. Romney performed strongest among those describing themselves as "somewhat conservative," seeing his still-substantial support dip with voters who viewed themselves as either "moderate" or "very conservative." Jon Huntsman, who finished third and heavily campaigned in the state, did well with moderate voters while Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, who finished in fourth and fifth place respectively, overperformed with the more conservative ones.

The exit poll also suggests that Mr. Romney's win seems to be almost completely founded on one campaign message: electability. When asked to name which one issue was most important in deciding how they voted, more respondents selected "Can defeat Barack Obama" than anything else. More than 62% of this group supported Mr. Romney.

The next Republican presidential contest will be South Carolina on January 21, where at least one candidate, Rick Perry, appears to be making his last stand. Mr. Perry received less than 1% of the vote in New Hampshire last night.

Ron Paul (Getty)

Ron Paul, who is projected to take second place in the New Hampshire primary, spoke to an audience at his campaign headquarters shortly after Mitt Romney made his victory speech. Mr. Paul criticized the media and political establishment for "ignoring" his campaign, but assured his supporters they'll still succeed in their quest to "restore freedom to this country."

"I called Governor Romney a short while ago before he gave his talk and congratulated him, because he certainly had a clear cut victory, but we're nibbling at his heels!" Mr. Paul said. Mr. Paul began his speech by thanking his staff and supporters. He also gave a sarcastic acknowledgment to the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper, which endorsed his rival Jon Huntsman.

"There was one other acknowledgment I wanted to make, I wanted to thank the Union Leader for not endorsing me," Mr. Paul said.

Despite his loss and not getting the media response he wanted, Mr. Paul said he was confident he and his supporters scored a victory for their cause.

"There is no doubt that this whole effort that we are involved in will not go unnoticed. Let me tell you, I think the intellectual revolution that's going on now to restore liberty in this country is well on its way and there's no way they're going to stop the momentum that we have started," Mr. Paul said.

Mr. Paul said the one thing the media and political establishment have done right is describing him and his followers as "dangerous:"

"We don't always get the coverage or the interest shown on what is going on, because if they did they wouldn't be ignoring so much of what we're doing. But, you know, I find it sort of fascinating when they finally get around--and this is different people it could be in the media, it could be our opponents, or whatever, but I sort of have to chuckle when they describe you and me as being dangerous. That's one thing they are telling the truth--because we are dangerous to the status quo of this country and we will remain a danger to the Federal Reserve system as well."

Mr. Paul used much of his speech to discuss the economy, monetary policy and his desire to "end the Fed," but he also addressed his opposition to America's foreign wars.

"They claim it's a moral responsibility to take our young people, put them into the military, and send them hither and yon around the world, policing the world and using up the money," Mr. Paul said.  "If we continue to do what we're doing the results are that the dollar is destroyed, and the whole thing comes apart and it's going to be a worldwide phenomenon."

In the end, Mr. Paul said the presidential race is all about "the protection of liberty."

"Overall, you have to ask once again, as our founders did, what should the role of government be in a free society. The role should be very simple; the protection of liberty," Mr. Paul said. "Liberty means you have a right your life, and your privacy, and the way you want to live your life as long as you don't hurt people, and you have a right to keep and spend your money as you want to."

Mitt Romney takes a bow in New Hampshire. (Getty)

After he was declared the winner in tonight's New Hampshire primary, Mitt Romney took the stage and delivered a victory speech where he slammed President Obama and defended himself against attacks on his time working with financial consulting firm Bain Capital.

"We do remember when Barack Obama came to New Hampshire four years ago. he promised to bring people together, he promised to change the broken system in Washington, he promised to improve our nation," Mr. Romney said. "Those were the days of lofty promises made by a hopeful candidate. Today, we're faced with the disappointing record of a failed president."

Mr. Romney cited the poor economic climate as evidence of President Obama's failings.

"The last three years have held a lot of change, but they haven't offered much hope. The middle class has been crushed, nearly 24 million of our fellow Americans are still out of work," he said.

Mr. Romney described President Obama's contention the situation is improving as an affront to American values.

"This president wakes up every morning, looks out across America and is proud to announce it could be worse. It could be worse? That is not what it means to be an American--it could be worse, of course not," Mr. Romney said. "What defines us as Americans is our unwavering conviction that we know it must be better and it will be better."

Invoking Ronald Reagan's "shining city on the hill," Mr. Romney said Americans remain optimistic despite "the failed leadership of one man."

"Americans know that our future is brighter and better than these troubled times. We still believe," Mr. Romney said. "We still believe in the hope, the promise and the dream of America. We still believe in that shining city on the hill."

Mr. Romney also addressed the heat he's taken lately for his work with the management consulting firm Bain Capital, which has presided over layoffs at a variety of businesses. He described this criticism, which has come both from the Democrats and his Republican rivals, as a "resentment of success."

"President Obama wants to put free enterprise on trial and, in the last few days, we've seen some desperate Republicans join forces with him. This is such a mistake for our party and for our nation," Mr. Romney said. "The country already has a leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy. We have to offer an alternative vision. I stand ready to lead us down a different path where we're lifted up by our desire to succeed, not dragged down by a resentment of success."

According to Mr. Romney, this campaign is a choice between his "clear and unapologetic defense" of "economic freedom" and President Obama's desire "to turn America into a European-style social welfare state."

"This President takes his inspiration from the capitals of Europe. We look to the cities and small towns of America," said Mr. Romney.

Though he focused much of his speech on the economy, Mr. Romney also addressed foreign policy. While he said President Obama has practiced an "appeasement strategy" and "doesn't see the need for overwhelming American military superiority," Mr. Romney pledged to strengthen our armed forces.

"I will insist on a military so powerful no one would ever think of challenging it," said Mr. Romney.

Mr. Romney ended his remarks by encouraging his followers to rally behind his vision for the country.

"Let's go on to fight for the America we love, because we believe in America," Mr. Romney said. "Thank you so much. God bless America."

Mitt Romney (Photo: Wikimedia)

Mitt Romney has scored another win tonight, defeating his rivals in New Hampshire. The networks declared the results at the earliest possible opportunity, as soon as the polls closed at 8 p.m.  Mr. Romney's New Hampshire victory comes as  no surprise, as his dominance in Granite State polling had never been shaken.

Mr. Romney had previously eked out a win in Iowa last week by a mere 8 votes.  The win provides a nice boost as his more ideologically rigid rivals compete with one another to coalesce enough voters to provide a substantive challenge to the Romney campaign.

Ron Paul is projected to finish in second place, while Jon Huntsman will finish third. Mr. Huntsman focused much of his energy on tonight's race, campaigning almost exclusively in New Hampshire at the expense of other states.

As Rick Perry is projected to finish in sixth place, the only undecided element is whether Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum finish fourth. The Perry is spending tonight in South Carolina, likely to avoid highlighting the New Hampshire results. South Carolina votes next on January 21st.

The competition between the candidates is as much of a battle against media expectations as for votes.  The vast majority of the delegates will be assigned later in the year.

Last Update: 9:54pm