General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This May Be The Greatest Letter Any Elected Republican Has Ever Written [View all]tblue37
(68,445 posts)now is that those Republicans who were using the abortion issue "rationally" (i.e., cynically) simply to garner votes understood that if abortion ever did get outlawed, they could no longer use it to get votes. Those who are now in power, though, really do seem to want to eliminate abortion or to come as close as possible to doing so. I think they are true believers, not practical politicians figuring out how to get more votes.
Sure, attacking a woman's right to choose is effective for firing up their base, but it is also effective for firing up their (probably much larger) opposition. And if abortion is outlawed, then it won't be that effective for gaining votes in the future.
This is why I believe that the Teapublicans are really trying to outlaw or severely restrict abortion and contraception this time, not just cynically manipulating these issues to gain votes. It is also why I think that they are really frantic about the idea that women might be able to become successful, unimpeded governors of their own lives and that women might be able to enjoy sex without consequence.