GOP can't win without confusing voters on Roe v. Wade (with bonus Sam Bee video)

by: kbuck

Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 20:42

This is a follow-up on some of the discussion in the comments.

So the Republican party is in a pickle. When most of the country wants to get out of Iraq, Republicans tell us what we really want is "victory". Most of the country wants universal healthcare coverage, Republicans tell want to give us "market solutions". Most of the country doesn't want free trade, so the Republicans tell us to support "open global markets". In every case, in order to hide the fact that Republican positions are out of step with Americans, they have to cover up what their positions are - or outright lie - in order to confuse voters. (See Lieberman, Joseph - "Nobody wants to end the war in Iraq more than I do".)

And then there's the question of reproductive rights. McCain is on the record - he would appoint judges who would overturn Roe V. Wade.

McCain knows in order to win he needs both the fringe right-wing base to be energized, plus enough crossover voters (Regan Democrats, Hillary Democrats, independents, liberal Republicans if there are any left, etc.) to be competitive in key states. By selecting Sarah Palin, who would oppose abortion even in the case of rape and incest,  as his running mate it appears he has accomplished the former, but Palin presents a potential double-edged sword.

Partly due to his media-bestowed title of Mavericky Maverick of Mavericks, and partly of his own political maneuvering and image-making, there is still a perception today that John McCain is pro-choice, even among progressive voters, even among pro-choice women. A significant number of his supporters self-identify as pro-choice. While the media seemed enthralled - at least for a day or two - with the idea that Sarah Palin would appeal to former Hillary voters, this appears less and less likely, as her rhetoric has been  based on fiery, ideological identity politics, very specifically designed to activate the theoconservative voter. As Palin has become the rallying call (not to mention the de facto head of the ticket, at least in view of the base), the question of Roe vs. Wade will likely come up in the debates and McCain will have a little harder time avoiding the question.

But McCain-Palin will try to blur the issue, because, well, they have to.  

Then the campaign put out this press release (emphasis added):

We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi's privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.

Here is a Vice Presidential candidate who make criminals out of women who chose  in every circumstance possible, and yet they're using the words:

• decision
• unconditional love
• privacy

These are not terms Republicans or theoconservatives use in their politics. They use these terms because they are useful in blurring the distinction between the sides in voters' minds. McCain knows he has to maintain a certain level of muddiness to hold on to those pro-choice leaners and undecideds. That's why he used that language himself, back in 2000, when he was asked a question about what his family would do if his daughter, 15 at the time, had a pregnancy :

McCain Struggles With Sensitive Abortion Question (2000)

"The final decision would be made by Meghan with our advice and counsel," McCain said, speaking of himself and his wife Cindy.

"I would discuss this issue with Cindy and Meghan, and this would be a private decision that we would share within our family and not with anyone else," McCain told reporters in New Hampshire on board his campaign bus nicknamed "The Straight Talk Express. "Obviously I would encourage her to bring, to know that baby would be brought up in a warm and loving family, but the final decision would be made by Meghan with our advice and counsel."

...

McCain grew irritated as reporters pressed him on the subject. Asked if that was the same answer an abortion-rights advocate would give, McCain said, "I don't think it is the pro-choice position to say that my daughter and my wife and I will discuss something that is a family matter that we have to decide."

Exact same themes: an unexpected pregnancy spurs a private family decision, made ultimately by the woman.

Except in John McCain and Sarah Palin's America, there is no choice for Meghan or Bristol. There is no decision. There is no family counsel. There is only the government and the womb. Even in the case of rape or incest.

So to avoid ending on a downer, here is Samantha Bee last night, using the Republican's own language tricks against them. Her woman-on-the-street with GOP delegates reaches the level of masterful puppetry...