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Abortion and the Democratic party
Dear Democratic Leader,
A great opportunity exists for the Democratic Party to attract anti-abortion voters to the party by showing the connection between core Democratic values and reducing abortions. I believe John Kerry could be our president-elect if in the second debate he had outlined a “Pro-Life Plan” while also stating his position on abortion and Roe v. Wade. Democrats could have run an ad campaign targeted at Christians and Latinos with a young Latina sobbingly telling her friend that she had to have an abortion because she had no insurance and her job paid only $5.50 per hour. But her friend assures her that if John Kerry is elected she can have her baby because he has promised that all children will have insurance and he will raise the minimum wage to $7.50. The young pregnant woman brightens up and says “Es verdad? Then I will have this baby!” Another life saved.
We both know how little Republicans have done to reduce abortions other than voice an apparent opposition and threaten judicial opponents who will make it illegal. Democrats should begin a campaign pointing out Republican hypocrisy and how their policies can actually make a difference. Armed with statistics, even in the minority Democrats can force Congress and the president into facing the fact that universal health care will reduce abortions, that a higher minimum wage will reduce abortions, that better education at the high school and junior college level will reduce abortions, that a reduction of poverty anywhere in the world will reduce abortions.
We need to go on the offensive with this. Abortions are up since George Bush took office and now exceed 1.3 million each year in the U.S. alone, after having dropped during Clinton’s second term. Democrats can reframe this issue and show how threats of imprisonment are far less effective to reducing abortions than meeting the needs of the prospective mother. This is an opportunity to gain voters and advance our policy beliefs. I’d be interested to know what you think.
Sincerely,
James M. Forbes
December 29, 2004