Can Republicans Bring Abortion Issues Back From the Fringe?

[applegrove]

Can Republicans Bring Abortion Issues Back From the Fringe?

by Beth Reinhard at the National Journal

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/can-republicans-bring-abortion-issues-back-from-the-fringe-20131108

"SNIP..............................


But just two days later, anti-abortion leaders rallied around Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina as he introduced a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. By tapping into widespread discomfort with late abortions, the bill aims to flip the political script and frame Democrats as outside the mainstream.

"Any Democrat who is for late-term abortions would probably be a loser in the eyes of the electorate as a whole," Graham said Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Added Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, "It will be very mobilizing politically and mobilizing electorally."

The abortion ban already passed the House, but it remains a longshot in the Democrat-controlled Senate. While the GOP would like to see progress on the legislative front, Republicans think the measure carries plenty of messaging power, helping them as they try to redefine the middle ground and squeeze vulnerable Democratic senators seeking re-election in 2014.



...............................SNIP"

[liberal N proud]

1. They have two propaganda machines

The media and the pulpit.

[applegrove]

2. Maybe this is why there is the whole "take rare out of the democrats stance on abortion".

Because the Clinton stance of "safe, legal & rare" was an effective way of putting the issue to bed in the right wing. I can see it now, any abortion over 20 weeks will be labeled a late term abortion. And we are falling into the trap by getting rid of the term "rare" and using terms like "abortion on demand" which reminds me of movies on demand and implies a drive through clinic which are the opposite of rare. So the 2014 race is ON in the DU and elsewhere where democrats are 'discussing' the wording and message on abortion. Because given any chance, the psychopaths will try and control how democrats make their case in a way that favours the GOP.

Does anybody else share my worries?

[TreasonousBastard]

3. I share your worries...

I don't think the "rare" argument makes any sense at all on our side. When Clinton first said it it was a brilliant way to defuse the other side, but now we're just damaging ourselves battling over a word instead of over the plight of real women with real problems and ever limited choices.

I don't care why the other side isn't up in arms over "rare" and maybe even likes the idea. Moderate not-quite-anti-abortion people (and I submit there are a lot more of them then those on the opposite sides fighting) seem happy with the idea, and even some of the less shrill anti-choice types seem comfortable with it as a compromise in the rhetoric. Which makes me crazy trying to understand why our side insists on bringing it up for discussion at this critical time. It's dividing us when it should be a bridge to the other side.

If we would stop arguing over this stupid point, we could use that energy to stop the far worse nonsense we're up against.

BTW, speaking of nonsense we're up against, earlier today I was listening to one of my favorite NPR shows and third trimester abortions was one subject-- talking to the producer and one of the doctors portrayed in the film...

http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/11/11/late-term-abortions...

Their documentary, “After Tiller,” goes into the lives and clinics of the last four doctors who openly perform third-trimester abortions.

“We came into the film both being pro-choice, but knowing very little about third trimester abortions,” Shane told Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson. “It was a process of evolving. At first you can have a gut reaction to be judgmental … But when you actually listen to these patients stories, you realize that their lives are so incredibly complicated, and there are so many factors, and they are so desperate, and I think it becomes impossible to become judgmental towards these women.”

There are only four doctors in the country who perform third trimester abortions.

[Katashi_itto]

4. With their base..of course.