pay act that bears her name. she spoke to my colleague about today's actions. >> if this had been a law back in my day, i wouldn't be here because i would be at home drawing the proper retirement that i had legally earned through my working career. >> today republicans are firing back calling equal pay and the president's actions a political ploy. >> so on this equal payday, i would urge us to stop politicizing women and let's start focussing on those policies that are actually going to help women and everyone in this country have a better life. >> now, in all fairness, this is a medicine term election year, and the president is and has been working hard to rally his base. our nbc first reid team points out the reasons why firing up the female base is key. women have made the difference between democrats winning and losing elections. most recent xavrms, president obama in 2012 and virginia governor terry mcauliffe this