(cross posted at My Left Win, Dkos, and Soapblox Chicago)
It can't happen here. That is the sentiment of many an Illinois Democrat when they reflect on the prospect of a South Dakota style law banning abortion being passed in this state. Illinois is true Blue. Illinois is the home of world-renowned institutions of higher learning. Illinois is a beacon of enlightened civic pride and civic duty. The people of Illinois had the good sense and judgment to vote for the Democrat in the last 4 presidential elections. Surely, no South Dakota style anti abortion law would have any traction in Illinois. In fact, the mere thought would solicit looks of puzzlement and a slight laugh under the breath.
Here's the news flash. It can happen here. All it takes is one election cycle; one or two extremists elected to the state house; and a whole bunch of money.
The Illinois State Senate only has a three seat Democratic majority. A poor showing downstate and one or two Republican holds in the suburbs/collar counties gives the GOP the foot hold they need to reclaim the reins of power.
One of those seats the GOP desperately needs to hold is Il Senate 27th. The retiring senator is a moderate leaning business Republican with a half - hearted anti-abortion stance. In fact, the local GOP is happy to see him go. The Palatine Township Republicans, the heart of the district, are going through a pogrom. The old guard, Rockefeller Republican types, are being expelled and replaced with young Turks, cast in the mold of Karl Rove and James Dobson. These folks hate government, love the excesses of business, could care less about the environment, and want to ban abortions in ALL CASES. I am not kidding. I am not being alarmist. Matt Murphy (the Republican nominee for Il Senate 27th) has gone ON THE RECORD to say he would support a South Dakota style ban.
I must point out that Mr. Murphy has waffled a bit, trying to soften his stance by offering an exception to REPORTED cases of rape and incest (even though half of all cases of rape and incest go unreported and when pressed Murphy did indicate, again, that he would support a South Dakota style ban).
His waffling speaks to the trend in the district. This area, once the heart of suburban Republican hegemony, is moving more and more to the left. Murphy knows he can't come off as an extremist or he will surely lose. The problem for Mr. Murphy: his positions are extreme. Open spaces are ok, as long Wal-Mart doesn't want them. Gun control is, in all cases (including assault weapons) bad (even though Murphy doesn't own a gun). Intelligent Design is great as long as local school boards say it's great. Stem cell research is murder, unless it's sponsored by the private sector.
Mr. Murphy's positions are so far to the right that the Republican mayor of Palatine has formally endorsed Murphy's Democratic opponent, Peter Gutzmer, citing the fact that Mr. Murphy "scares" her. That is a quote.
So you might say, "well, if the moderate Republican in a moderate district is endorsing the Democrat, the GOP doesn't have a chance". Remember, the GOP has buckets of money and although the district is trending in the Democrats direction, old habits die hard. Many folks vote Republican because it used to be safe and certainly is easy. Once upon a time, Republican vote was for lower taxes, less government, and a protest to the Chicago machine. Not anymore, not in this district.
How can you help? We need to get the message out. We need to make people aware of the fact that this is not your grandfather's Republican party. Their vote is critical in maintaining access to safe and effective reproductive health care. Their vote is crucial in stemming the tide of assault weapon violence in the state. Their vote is imperative in maintaining the high standards of our schools and the viability of the environment. Their vote can be the difference in ushering a scientific golden age where the deadliest diseases are cured or a dark time when science is a tool of the Devil.
Go to www.votegutzmer.org and take a look at Pete's issues and endorsements; please contact the campaign and lend your support: ideas, time, and money.
As I finish the diary, I have come to realize this is not only a war against women...this is a war against us all.