No, the Dems are not cowardly (just evil) in this case. They are following the old axiom: When thine enemy is self-destructing, sit back and enjoy the spectacle.
No.
For that premise to be true they'd have to know the outcome. I realize the spin afterward has been this was a strategy, but it's just spin. They honestly didn't know which direction this would go, just as Reps didn't. Reps supported Life anyway. Dems hid in the shadows fearful of taking a position either way because it'd blow up in their faces.
That is cowardice.