President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address recently. Most observers called it a good presentation and the president’s delivery “feisty” and optimistic.

As is recent tradition, the Republicans had an opportunity for a presentation of their own. They selected Sen. Katie Britt, of Alabama, the youngest U.S. senator now in office. She chose to deliver her address as the little woman sitting in her kitchen in an appearance that reminded me of Phyllis Schlafly rather than a woman leader of the 21st century. She called the president’s comments “dithering,” perhaps missing that the 86-minute-long speech was widely applauded for content and a spirited delivery.

The last three GOP State of the Union responses have been delivered by women — Arkansas Gov. Sara Huckabee Sanders, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and now Sen. Britt. The target audience for these State of the Union respondents appears to be suburban women. Are they concerned about women and their choice of Democratic candidates in the 2018, 2020 and 2022 elections? Is showing GOP women leaders supposed to capture their attention and votes?

I submit, however, it isn’t a lack of women leaders that has driven these voters to the Democratic side of the ballot. A once-a-year speech doesn’t speak as loudly as the policies and legislation the GOP espouses.

Republicans in Congress have voted against reauthorization of the Violence against Women Act.

GOP-appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices have denied reproductive freedom that had been available to American women for more than 50 years.

Republican state attorneys general have sued to limit medications, including safe and effective contraceptive drugs and devices.

And the current crop of GOP candidates favors a national ban on abortion (What happened to it being a state decision?). Some have even tried to criminalize the referral for services or traveling to another state for needed services. Bills outlawing IUDs, Plan B and other contraceptive methods have Republican sponsorship in many states.

I expect suburban women voters to see what members of Congress and state legislators do rather than focusing on who gives the speech.

In Idaho, the last few years have been an echo of GOP national policies. Numerous bills on reproductive health have driven physicians out of state and forced the closure of maternity units. Federal funds for child care have been spurned, efforts have been made to repeal protections from child labor abuse and there is the perennial battle to keep public schools funded. The GOP legislators believe that income tax cuts for high income earners and corporations are more important than local schools or the high property taxes Idaho families (many headed by single moms) pay.

Republicans put Sen. Britt out front. Alabama is where the Republican state Supreme Court justices gave an embryo equal footing with its fully formed mother. That’s ironic at best. And without serious policies or programs to address the freedom, autonomy and economic security of American women, trying to attract women by showcasing the party opposing those values is a doubtful strategy.

I believe that most voters will look to the substance and policies, not the appearance. Maybe the GOP will learn for next time.

Rusche, of Clarkston, is a retired physician who served six terms in the Idaho House.