NEW YORK (November 8, 2012)--Democrats and liberal advocacy groups declared victory in what they called a Republican "war on women" and celebrated the defeats of some GOP candidates who took rigid stands against abortion, but the issues including access to contraception and abortion, are far from settled, and social conservatives are already girding for new confrontations.

Anti-abortion leader Marjorie Dannenfelser said Republican nominee Mitt Romney was too defensive on abortion-related issues.

She mentioned Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Indiana s governor-elect, Mike Pence, as potential presidential candidates who'd be more effective.

For activists supporting family planning programs and access to abortion, the election produced a series of triumphs, including the re-election of President Barack Obama.

He won about 55 percent of women's votes.