I am a Democratic officeholder in a red state. I don't know how many times I have had people tell me that they would vote Democratic if it weren't for our party's stance on abortion. I am wondering if we should be pushing a compromise in the cultural battle over abortion?
Most Americans support some abortion rights, but many are upset with abortions in later stages of pregnancy. Frankly, I share their concern and understand why such procedures are seen as morally questionable.
The issue is whether there is a way to balance out these two positions?
One thing that could be done is for the Dems in the House and Senate to push for a constitutional amendment that would prohibit the states from regulating abortion during the first 13 weeks, but allow them to regulate abortion after that period. Some states would adopt the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions on abortion, others would prohibit all abortions after 13 weeks, and still others would find positions between those two.
The point though is that once this got introduced, most Americans would see this as a compromise they could live with and one they could support. It wouldn't satisfy people who are firmly pro-choice or pro-life, but most Americans don't fall into that position.
The problem right now is that given the Supreme Court rulings, most Republicans never have to face questions on whether they want Roe reversed. When Bush was asked that question during the debates, he ducked it. Why? Because he didn't want to admit that reversal of Roe either was or wasn't part of his agenda. Refusal to own up to what most pro-life voters believe is his position tells you where Karl Rove thinks the voters are at, and it isn't firmly in the pro-life camp.