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Democrats Rethink Abortion Strategy

After long defining itself as an undisputed defender of abortion rights, the Democratic Party is suddenly locked in an internal struggle over whether to redefine its position to appeal to a broader array of voters. [LA Times]

While a change in the Democratic position on abortion is long overdue, a true change involves seeking the truth, identifying error and altering beliefs and actions accordingly. In the article linked above we read that,

Party leaders say their support for preserving the landmark ruling will not change. But they are looking at ways to soften the hard line, such as promoting adoption and embracing parental notification requirements for minors and bans on late-term abortions.

The problem, as presented, is not in the party’s position but rather is how their message was presented. On this issue the New York Times reports

Party leaders said they were not abandoning their fundamental support for abortion rights, but said Democrats should consider accepting some restrictions that enjoy popular support - like parental notification when teenagers receive abortions.

[snip]

Simon Rosenberg, the president of the moderate New Democratic Network and also a candidate to lead the Democratic Party, said: "Being pro-choice is not only a majority position in the party, it's a majority position in the country. I don't think we have to run away from choice as a party, but I do think we have to explain our position that we want to make abortion safe, legal and rare." That formulation was a trademark phrase of former President Bill Clinton.

What I read in this and other articles is that no change in the actual pro-abortion position will occur although there may be a re-packaging and compromise on some legislation to make the pro-abortion message more attractive to some voters.

And, while some Democrats may actually want a change, extreme pro-abortion groups are situated in seats of power within their party.

Activists from these organization deliver millions of dollars and votes to the Democrats every cycle, and any retreat from their extremist positions will endanger the party's already-weak political position. If the Democrats truly pursued Roemer's vision, a split could occur where the abortion industry could wind up underwriting the Greens -- especially in peacetime, when a split would be seen as less egregious. - Captain Ed

So, the Democratic Party is not planning on changing beliefs and is financially connected to the abortion industry. There may also be other reasons preventing the admission of error and wrongdoing. Emily from AfterAbortion aptly comments,

"I'm not so sure that abortion rights advocates are primarily concerned about the political consequences. My sense is that those abortion rights advocates who are post-abortive are primarily upset because of the implicit moral judgment on their past choices. 43% of American women have had one or more abortions by the time their reproductive years end. I would guess that the percentage is higher among abortion rights activists. If I were in those shoes, and I heard a leading Democrat say "we don't like abortion", I'd take this personally."

In summary, the odds are strongly against a change in the Democratic platform on abortion. First, party leaders see no reason to change their belief that abortion is not murder. The suggestion that Democrats stand for a "rare" abortion would be laughable if it didn't immediately bring to mind the 45,000,000 unborn children that have been killed since 1973.

Second, the Democratic Party is financially and politically connected to the most extreme element of the pro-abortion industry. Change is unlikely. Third, some pro-abortion activists would find a change in their position difficult because it would involve condemnation of their past behavior. This, by the way, is called “repentance” and is necessary for progress and the advancement toward truth.

Finally, I note that it is very encouraging that some Democratic leaders speak out on behalf of the pre-born. Notably, former Indiana Rep. Tim Roemer calls late-term abortions a “moral blind spot” within the Democratic Party.

As a side note to this issue, consider the vehement and proactive anti-life opposition to Bush's judicial appointees (BlogsforBush).

Posted by tim at December 23, 2004 2:26 AM

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