I think we should rethink the practice of postponing discussion of reproductive choice until the day we have a democratic majority. We have now conceded this issue, which becomes ever more important with each passing day, to those who would consider it "fringe" even within the democratic party. Have we really let reproductive choice become remote even for leftists? As a woman and a choice advocate, I must say, a democratic party that shies from mere discussion of choice is no democratic party I recognize!
We let spineless democratic candidates push through their elections without pressing for even minimal debate on this issue. Even minimal debate would send the message, "Choice is NOT a fringe issue! We are NOT afraid to talk about reproductive choice just because it involves discussing abortion! We will NOT forsake American women because we fear estranging voters! We will NOT elect a democratic majority we do not even recognize as our own!"
I am so tired of being told to pipe down on choice until "after we have a majority." Folks, life is simply too short! And, frankly, the price is too high to pay. Democrats who want to forget about choice would have you believe that, upon the election of a Congressional majority, abortion and choice will diligently be brought back onto the public agenda. This is a fundamental falsehood of politics! PUBLIC DISCUSSION is the only thing that introduces issues to the agenda and keeps them there. Should we continue to refuse to discuss choice, should we continue to be too fearful to press our own candidates to discuss it, we will lose our voice. We lose the option of discussing issues when we refuse to do so, and this can happen with choice if we continue to show Americans that it is "scary" and "bad" enough to stay silent on.
There are some who have the courage to come forward. If we have learned one lesson from Ned Lamont's campaign, it is that people respond to those who have the courage to stand up and speak up when they believe something is wrong. Not surprisingly, Ned is one of few candidates with the courage to state his views on choice clearly on his website for all to see. And NO, Ned is not at leisure to talk about choice simply because he lives in Connecticut. Candidates, don't hide behind the conservatism of your state or district as an excuse to ignore this issue! If we know anything now, we know that ignoring issues of importance to all of us, pretending they are not there because we are intimidated by them, is the beginning of the end. Pete Ashdown advances some interesting ideas, too; among them, he suggested that votes on abortion be women only. Yes, please!
Let's stop pretending reproductive choice isn't desperately important to each and every American woman. Let's show some of the courage we always preach about, and stop using our need to elect a majority as an EXCUSE for evading this landmark issue.