There is a term I have not seen in a while. "Partial-Birth." This is one issue that McCain-Palin have on their side, and I hope the Obama campaign is prepared for some really nasty campaigning in the weeks ahead.
Obama's problem is that his position on it is nuanced, and I'm not sure how well nuance plays against gruesome videos.
The issue doesn't have quite the impact that it would have otherwise, because the law probibiting partial birth abortion already has been found constitutional. Nevertheless, it still has the potential to cause Obama great problems because of:
- The flip-side of Obama's argument re Roe v. Wade, i.e., the ban could be overturned by Obama Supreme Court nominees, and
- Obama's past voting record on the issue, which is easy to use against him on its face. You can't vote "nuanced answer." Well, you can vote "present," but that's transparent.
Believe me, I understand all the implications on both sides of this issue, and I understand completely Obama's position. My remarks here are not intended to "take a side." What they are intended to do is raise an awareness of how Palin - if she survives - can be a tremendous asset to McCain's demonization of Obama. And you and I both know it hasn't even begun.
Of course there is her hypocrisy in extending the rights of Roe v. Wade to her own family while she would deny it to everyone else, but that issue will pale in comparison with a successful introduction of partial-birth abortion as the focal point of the campaign.
I hate even bringing this up at a time when things are looking so good for Obama. My point is, everyone needs to be thinking about it and forming well-reasoned arguments to counter the inevitable attacks. Of paramount importance in that regard is a respectful attitude toward those who oppose it. It should be easy to empathize, because most of you are repelled by the procedure itself, even if you agree it's a necessary evil. Your repulsion is shared by 75% of Americans. This issue is too sensitive to screw up or pontificate about.
Consequently, I think McCain is now stuck for all time with an anti-abortion choice, be it Palin or someone else. There's no going back on the base now.
If this becomes a hardcore battle between extreme views, we lose, and we could lose badly enough to tip the balance. Our job is to rationalize the debate in terms that will resonate. My personal view is that any position favoring it for reasons other than to save the life or health of the mother is DOA among the electorate at large.
I think you can make the understandable argument that when the alternative is between PBA and the death or serious health impairment of the mother, then this is a no-win situation, and consequently, Obama's position was that it would be cruel and unjust to leave the decision to anyone other than the person and/or family who must live with the consequences forever.
The main sticking point is "serious health impairment." It is critical to frame this argument in terms that will give the average person to pause and think beyond the initial knee-jerk revulsion. Kidney failure and longterm dialysis are more evocative than high blood pressure, for example.
None of this will have any effect at all on the extreme viewpoints, but those viewpoints are already well-entrenched in opposing camps. It is to those who will listen to reason that an appeal must be made.
Bottom line: We are going to lose the debate on this issue. The question is, will we lose it by so great a margin that we lose the election? Don't let it happen.