Posted on 07/11/2013 1:19:05 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
With both broad public support and rallying cries from an engaged conservative base for a 20-week abortion ban, some of the potential contenders for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination are taking the lead on new abortion restrictions.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has been working to get the ban in place in his state as Rick Santorum, his former rival in the 2012 presidential contest, traveled to Austin to join rallies in support of the bill.
Santorum is also helping to spread the word about the rallies in Texas through Patriot Voices, an advocacy organization he began after leaving the presidential race.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who is already considered a front-runner if he decides to run for the Republican presidential nomination, is taking the lead on the ban in the Senate. And, Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) has been outspoken in his support of the 20-week abortion ban.
"Happy to see the Texas House pass HB 2 on the third reading last night. Without life, there is no liberty," he posted to his Facebook page Wednesday morning.
Presidential candidates usually have the unenviable task of having to appeal to the right-wing (for Republicans) or left-wing (for Democrats) to win the nomination without placing themselves on too far of either extreme to appeal to the moderates needed to win a general election. The 20-week abortion ban, though, does not have that downside. It has both broad support across the political spectrum and it is an issue that rallies the conservative, especially social conservative, base.
A Gallup poll conducted last year showed 64 percent of Americans supporting a ban on abortions in the second trimester, which begins at 16 weeks, and 80 percent support a ban on abortions in the third trimester, which begins at 29 weeks.
A National Journal poll conducted last month showed Americans favoring a 20-week abortion ban 48 to 44 percent. Even one-third of self-identified Democrats support the ban in the poll. Though pro-choice activists often portray themselves as representing women and young adults, the poll also shows the ban is slightly more favored by women than men and young adults favor it more than older adults.
Even though the 20-week abortion ban is a win-win scenario for Republicans, many national party leaders have been curiously absent from the debate.
In an interview with Politico last week, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life group, criticized the Republican National Committee for staying out of the Texas abortion battle.
"You either fight and ask your leaders to fight on an issue that cuts your way or you just fold up and go home, which is what the national party wants to do," she said. "It really is fear. It really is simply, 'We're not going to go there.' Now, you've got an issue that's in your platform, that cuts your way with big margins. To be silent is a mistake."
If you want to rally conservatives, push for a federal marriage amendment. The election will be a landslide for conservative Republican TEA Partiers.
Our country is on the brink with Obamacare, immigration reform and an administration that is violating the Constitution daily. What have those republicans done to stop the statist juggernaut?
If any republican wants credit for being pro life, let them explain what concrete steps they've taken to educate the public and save innocent unborn life.
Simple. Get the damned abortion in the first five months after the “rape” or incest. How long does it take them to make up their mind in the case of a pregnancy due to rape?
Domestic Spying, Economy in the crapper, IRS targeting distends, gas prices going through the roof, Amnesty, race riots after the Zimmermann verdict
The Democrats would love nothing more for this election to be about abortion and the so called “War on Women”
Sorry this is the GOP just being the stupid party again , Obama & Dingy Harry will thank the SoCons once again
All these 20 week bills are part of a political strategy by the GOP e and the National Right To Life Committee that retreats from the pro life stance of Ronald Reagan.
When Reagan spoke he said all abortions should not be legal unless it involves cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother from the beginning of the pregnancy, not the 20 week mark.
If you read the actual Texas bill HB 2 it has a nullification clause that says any pregnant woman who sues because she feels burdened by the 20 week limit is severed from having the law apply to her.
The bill’s 20 week limit nullifies itself in case of lawsuit against it by a pregnant plantiff 20 weeks or more pregnant.
Of of my state senators has always been labeled “Pro Abortion” in the NRL voters guides because he supports abortions the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. This new 20 week law stuff would redefine him as Pro Life in the National Right To Life voter guides.
That’s the idea, the GOP insiders use stuff like this to suck social issues voters in and dilute the negative impact of amnesty in contested primaries.
Conservatives want the return of constitutional law ie a constitutional republic complete with integrity and Godly morals, and a whole Lot less governmental involvement in the lives of the people. Where gov. is once again by the people, for the people. And screw agenda 21 while we're at it. WE want gov. officials held accountable for their deceptions and violations of law. Repeal the patriot act and hold the deceiver in chief accountable for his fraud on the people. Get rid of corrupt judges and legal officials.
The GOP had a chance to make things right and they failed due to their own corruption.
The socialist party is corrupt bit at least they don't pretend they are honest. I would prefer to know that a devil is a devil than to contend with a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Until the GOP wakes up the nation will continue to flush down the outhouse.
To those on the up and up...thanks. we need more like you but until they arrive we are screwed.
Would that be the same Rick Santorum who sided with "The Supreme Ruler" that Zimmerman was guilty from day one?
That will rally conservatives.
Cutting the size of government and allowing for more economic freedom will, however, rally conservatives, libertarians, moderates and independents.
That’s a winning coalition.
So, you’ll class most prolife folks, pro abort.
Some abortion restrictions >> no abortion restrictions.
The same Rick Santorum who nearly beat Romney in Michigan and Ohio?
Before this a Pro Life position on a voters guide meant more than it does now.
The NRL has been slacking in recent years though with my former congressman getting a bold PRO LIFE designation for only voting that way half the time according to their own voting records.
The NRL actually endorsed two state senators who never voted Pro Life as “Pro Life” in my state when they were faced with
conservative GOP primary challengers after they voted themselves 34 percent pay raises.
The main national Pro Life organization is a tool of the GOP political machine and this vote on a position less pro life than Ronald Reagan’s will be used to deceive voters into supporting moderate liberal Republicans on the misleading notion they are Pro Life when they are certainly not.
Thanks SeekAndFind.
Look, it’s the Gay Marriage debate of 2016!
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