How the GOP can regain momentum on abortion
But the pro-life argument is based on sound science.
In the DNA of a fertilized embryo is the complete design of a human being, mapping eye color and other hereditary traits. Within weeks, the human embryo meets all the criteria needed to count as living: metabolism, reaction to stimuli, reproduction.
That’s the science — from there, the questions enter the realm of morality. As Ann Furedi, head of the largest independent abortion provider in Britain, said in a 2008 debate, “the point is not when does human life begin, but when does it really begin to matter?” Well, if that’s the point, then science really isn’t the issue…
We have to stand up for life without standing against women. And, yes, we have to put up better candidates who make sane, rational pro-life arguments. The solution for conservatives isn’t to talk about it less, it’s to talk about it more — and better.
Blowback
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We should run S.E. somewhere.
IR-MN on November 21, 2012 at 5:39 PM
Akin/Murdock 2016
That’s how.
lester on November 21, 2012 at 5:41 PM
SE Cupp is faking it. She will fully reveal herself to be a liberal over the next several years. She will become bored with the act she’s put on for money.
She lacks any detectable passion about conservative ideas. She’s a good study. But none of this stuff is real to her.
The one thing she is sure about is her atheism. And that’s the thing she works hardest to mask.
Capitalist Hog on November 21, 2012 at 5:53 PM
Yeah, two losers who look like last century.
Capitalist Hog on November 21, 2012 at 5:54 PM
Gee thanks for the enlightening insight into her mind and soul.
/
MikeknaJ on November 21, 2012 at 5:58 PM
So the only people you accept for office are 12 years old’s and younger?
astonerii on November 21, 2012 at 5:58 PM
First things first. You find less abortion when you have more people working and in better economic circumstances, more people married, and more people with a good education.
Improving the REAL economic circumstances of people in the areas where abortion rates are the highest will have a dramatic impact on abortion rates, abortion laws notwithstanding.
1. Eliminate benefit cliffs that keep people trapped in low income jobs because they can’t afford the benefit loss from a small pay raise. It should ALWAYS pay to better yourself. Current benefits are configured in such a way that many are penalized for taking a better job or getting a raise.
2. Allow school choice for parents.
3. Eliminate the “marriage penalty” and in fact reverse it. Give a real tax BREAK to people who are married with children. There is nothing that reduces poverty as effectively as two earner households. Combined with better education, you break the cycle of poverty across generations.
Reducing poverty and increasing career opportunities does more to reduce abortion rates than any government policies.
crosspatch on November 21, 2012 at 6:13 PM
No, we have to point out that the morality of abortion–the actual act of killing a zygote, embryo, or fetus–has no more to do with women’s rights than the morality of infanticide does. A woman is in no way prevented from exercising her “reproductive rights” should elective abortion be restricted. Restrictions on abortion have nothing to do with anyone’s freedom to use contraception, nor do they have anything to do with what one does in the bedroom.
Baerwulf on November 21, 2012 at 6:16 PM
What an idiotic comment-she made the point that was not the way to go.
You didn’t even read the few words that HA snipped. Try again DA.
CW on November 21, 2012 at 6:20 PM
Sorry, but abortion isn’t very important compared to runaway government growth fueled by irresponsible government spending. What it IS is the subject that sucks all the political air out of the room, leaving no way to talk about anything else. Which is why anyone who uses ‘the A word’ should unhesitatingly be bounced down the stairs and out the door.
PersonFromPorlock on November 21, 2012 at 6:20 PM
Remind me again where Romney talked extensively about abortion? I think he pretty much stuck to economic matters almost exclusively, and he was met with underwhelming numbers of voters. Did not win the election did it?
astonerii on November 21, 2012 at 6:24 PM
CW/CanNotTakeAJoke 2016
lester on November 21, 2012 at 6:26 PM
You know it was not a hah hah funny joke, but a sick twisted joke intended to hurt. I know it too. I would vote for lots of Akins before I ever vote for an Obama.
astonerii on November 21, 2012 at 6:28 PM
I loved this article! After being humiliated several years back when trying to discuss abortion in a debate setting, I’ve taught myself exactly how to go about it, and I’m quite skilled at the debate now. We need more people who KNOW how to talk about Abortion, and one rule I think some GOPers should learn is this one: While a discussion of God and a discussion of Rape are bound to come up in the abortion debate, GOPers should remember never to let God and Rape show up in the same thought. When we start talking about pregnancy as a gift from god in the context of rape pregnancy, thats where we go very very wrong.
vegconservative on November 21, 2012 at 6:33 PM
This would be a very, very, very long road to hoe. Too many people, families, and communities believe:
- “Abortion is other people’s ethics imposed on women.” (Also known as “If you don’t like abortion, don’t get one.”) They view it like extramarital, premarital, or homosexual sex — a sin to many, but not to enough to justify making it illegal.
- “My body, my choice.” (Also known as “Leave it up to the women.”) As long as something’s a part of the woman, it’s up to that woman to decide what to do with it. (This argument falters a bit when the arguer is presented with the idea of late third-trimester abortion, but people generally don’t change their minds even when they spot a flaw in their argument.)
- “You won’t help mothers, so why should you tell them what to do?” These people say that abortion opponents are hypocrites because they won’t help women, even rape victims, with governmental programs. This is not a fun argument to get into, because even if you guaranteed to offer every woman support for adoption and/or child-rearing through the government, they’d still stand by their non-ad-hominem reasons.
- “So many unwanted babies.” Some people continue to think there are unwanted newborns in this country or that at least there would be if not for abortion.
- “People will have abortions anyway; they’ll just be criminal and unsafe.” The coathanger looms large here, and if people can make this argument about controlled substances, they will surely keep making them about abortion.
How are you going to argue against these things, change people’s minds? I don’t think it’s going to happen via reason alone or in the next few years, if it happens at all.
calbear on November 21, 2012 at 6:36 PM
Your voting preferences indeed do seem sick and twisted.
lester on November 21, 2012 at 6:38 PM
Yes, that’s the ticket. Double down on social issues. Because if there was one thing the independent, women, and low-information voters were thirsting for, it was an anti-abortion message.
So then life doesn’t begin at conception?
keep the change on November 21, 2012 at 6:39 PM
You got pwned. Again.
22044 on November 21, 2012 at 6:48 PM
@PersonFromPorlock: Neither you nor the politicians and pundits who agree with you set the terms of the political debate in this country,so you’d better learn how to answer those who do.
Miss Cupp, on the other hand, knows what it’s like to be publicly and prominently outnumbered. She doesn’t spend her days ranting about abortion either but it’s among the Left’s bloodiest shirts.
Seth Halpern on November 21, 2012 at 6:54 PM
Again idiot you did not read the passage above. You’re not real bright….
nobody likes you. I know by your posts in your real life that is true.What a loser.
You’re not real smart either…in fact the quote says the embryo is human …thus human life started. Wow. You’re too easy. Sheesh.
CW on November 21, 2012 at 7:07 PM
Oh boy.
Yesterday the talking snake crowd went off on the Earth’s age, and now they are back to the fantasy of how they are going to make abortion disappear.
It’s amazing Romney got as close as he did.
Moesart on November 21, 2012 at 7:13 PM
The day the Goofy Old Porklovers gain momentum on abortion is the day Satan wears ice skates and a muffler.
Conservatives – I hate convenience abortion as much as you do. But short of a SCOTUS challenge or a total cultural shift, we’re just kidding ourselves.
MelonCollie on November 21, 2012 at 7:17 PM
Zing!
29Victor on November 21, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Pfft. Why not, they’d do a better job! And I’m not even kidding.
MelonCollie on November 21, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Yes.You.Are.
Science befuddles you.
CW on November 21, 2012 at 7:24 PM
Rubio/Cupp ’16
itsnotaboutme on November 21, 2012 at 7:27 PM
By convincing people that having fewer rights is an objectively good thing. That’s the only way the GOP can make its present stance on abortion into a winning issue.
Armin Tamzarian on November 21, 2012 at 7:29 PM
Genius! The pro-life position was so well-regarded in this last cycle. Do it again – but better!
beatcanvas on November 21, 2012 at 7:31 PM
Obama = Planned Parenthood = “Doctor” Kermit Gosnell
andycanuck on November 21, 2012 at 7:32 PM
Well…if it’s working for the Democrats, why not?
MelonCollie on November 21, 2012 at 7:32 PM
Nice try, SE Cupp, but nope.
SarahW on November 21, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Abortion is not what we need to regain momentum on.
ChrisL on November 21, 2012 at 7:48 PM
Aww. Personal attacks, your cute bu unsurprising M.O.
lester on November 21, 2012 at 8:00 PM
*but
lester on November 21, 2012 at 8:01 PM
She;s right. The best way to befuddle pro-choice people is ask them the nanosecond the being in the womb should legally be referred to as alive.
thebrokenrattle on November 21, 2012 at 8:10 PM
The answer being if and when their selfish, lazy DNA-donor decides the ‘fetus’ is worth keeping.
MelonCollie on November 21, 2012 at 8:12 PM
Yeah, and don’t forget that pro-lifers should never ever mention magic shields against the rapist’s sperms. Besides not saying mind blowingly stupid things, is there any other secret strategy for pro-life success? If not, I can rest happy about the future of an America where is safe, legal, and common.
thuja on November 21, 2012 at 8:45 PM
The godless reprobate confession booth is open and has accepted a few confessions already.
tom daschle concerned on November 21, 2012 at 8:57 PM