Elizabeth Warren among ‘Women to Watch’ in 2012 election

>>> kristen gillibrand is raising more than $500,000 for four other female running in tight raises. 18 women for the senate, 163 for the house. i'm joined by kelly wallace, ivillage chief correspondent leah goldman. both published articles on the women candidate. both were grit articles. thank you so much.

>> the most watched race this year, the senate race is between elizabeth warren , scott brown . they had a combative debate last night. let's take a watch.

>> can you name some republicans in the senate today that you are able to work with on big issues, substantive issues that the country faces?

>> probably richard lugar would be one that would come to mind.

>> he's not going to be there. who else could you name, senator?

>> that is a problem.

>> i think justice scalia is a very good judge. justice kennedy . justice kennedy is obviously very good and justice roberts , justice sotomayor. that's the beauty of it being independent.

>> if you had to pick one.

>> i don't need to pick one. we have plenty of justices up there. i'm proud of the ones we have.

>> miss warren who would be your model?

>> two gaffes. was it a draw?

>> right there. an active crowd in that campaign there. that byte, probably a draw. scott brown has been on such the attack against elizabeth warren . he's behind. he's behind when it comes to women . i'll be curious to see if all these attacks, especially on elizabeth warren 's heritage, if they turn off women . in some way, it almost rings inauthentic for him. it rings he knows he's behind and he's got to do it. people know the story is more about economy, jobs, not really about this heritage issue.

>> connecticut senate race, republican challenger linda mcmahon , congressman chris murray . senator mccain was stumping for mcmahon. she spent $50 million on her last race in 2010 . this year she spent over $16 million. part of the first generation of self-financed women candidates. i wonder if this is the start of parody, more to come.

>> i find this to be one of the most interesting. if not because i think there are a lot of parallels to what's going on in the presidential campaign . you have a successful ceo running a business with a colorful, if not checkered history, running against an incumbent who does than have the best track record. it seems to be playing out much the same way the presidential election is. can mcmahon divide the voters in connecticut who would be for obama but willing to vote for a republican senator?

>> that was a fascinating analysis. north dakota , republicans thought they had this in the bag when kent conrad decided he was not going to run for re-election. has heidi heitkamp 's liableability making this a horse race ?

>> she has issues that are a big concern. it's got a ton of republicans nervous. what republicans thought might be an easy check is not such an easy check.

>> you have so many of these races that are first. utah republican congressional candidate mia love could become the first black woman republican elected to congress if she beats democrat chris matheson.

>> mia love is an unbelievable candidate. she is a gop dream in many ways. she is a mom, she's young, african-american, mormon. there is not a box you can categorize her in that fits the gop stereotype. she is a rule breaker. they love that. she plays well in the state. she is the mayor of saratoga springs . she has a good track record. her opponent is painting her as an inexperienced young' un. she is playing it well saying you've been in office, what have you done for me lately? it's a fascinating race.

>> we talked about it. 1992 they said was the year of the woman. this is definitely more of the year of the woman. we need to see more women , more women in state and local races, more women running for congress. then you'll see more women on the national stage. i tweeted about this during one of the republican primary debates. four men talking about contraception, not one woman on the stage? we need to hear women 's voices.

>> is this the start of something bigger? there was such a push this year by people who are now serving by both parties to get more women candidates. it will be interesting to see whether this continues to be a struggle or it becomes more commonplace.

>> i think more commonplace. once there become fewer stories about firsts, once voters and donors, in particular, because donors are key.

>> money is key.

>> once those financing those campaigns become more comfortable with the idea of women , smart women , skilled women , experienced women holding those seats, this is not going to be a conversation point any more.

>> let's hope so. grit talking to both of you. both your publications, fantastic articles on these women .