For Republicans, the End of Abortion Rights Was a Dangerous Victory
Aug 20, 2024
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Susan B. Glasser, a Washington correspondent for The New Yorker, dives into the shifting dynamics of the Republican Party post-Dobbs decision. She discusses the recent removal of a longstanding plank for a national abortion ban and Trump's distancing from hardline pro-life stances. The tension within the party is evident, especially through her interview with Representative Matt Rosendale, who advocates for strict anti-abortion measures, including controversial views on in vitro fertilization. Glasser emphasizes how these debates will impact the upcoming 2024 elections.
The Republican Party faces internal strife as it navigates the electoral risks associated with extreme anti-abortion stances post-Roe v. Wade.
Figures like Congressman Matt Rosendale represent a troubling trend within the GOP, advocating for stringent anti-abortion measures such as targeting in vitro fertilization.
Deep dives
The Political Cost of Abortion Legislation
The end of Roe v. Wade, a significant achievement during Donald Trump's presidency, has created internal strife within the Republican Party. Many within the party are now hesitant to discuss abortion, recognizing that the topic is energizing Democratic voters and could jeopardize their electoral success. An example of this tension is seen through a Texas Republican's plea to avoid abortion discussions, as it is perceived to be detrimental to their chances in upcoming elections. The party has even altered its platform, removing the long-standing call for a national abortion ban, indicating a shift from hardline stances to a more cautious approach as they consider the electorate's response.
Trump's Complex Relationship with Abortion Policies
Donald Trump is attempting to navigate the contentious issue of abortion by advocating for a state-level approach while still seeking credit for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. His rhetoric suggests he wants to maintain party influence without facing the backlash associated with stringent abortion policies. Despite his assertions, there is skepticism about his sincerity, as many believe his primary focus is on securing political power rather than adhering to principle. This balancing act illustrates the challenges Republican leaders face in aligning their long-held beliefs with current political realities post-Roe.
The Rising Influence of Extremist Views
Within the Republican Party, figures like Congressman Matt Rosendale exemplify a trend toward embracing more extreme anti-abortion stances, such as targeting in vitro fertilization (IVF). Rosendale’s efforts to cut federal funding for IVF highlight an ideological shift that could impact broader discussions around reproductive rights. This movement has gained traction even within traditionally moderate circles, as evidenced by the endorsement of Rosendale's views by influential factions like the Southern Baptist Convention. However, despite the unpopularity of such measures, many Republicans believe they can successfully impose their minority views on the majority of Americans, reflecting a deepening conflict between party ideology and public opinion.
At the Republican National Convention in July, a platform plank in place for decades that called for a national abortion ban was removed—right at the moment that such a ban has actually become legally possible, after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. Donald Trump has tried to distance himself from hard-line pro-life positions, saying that abortion rights sitting with the states “is something that everybody wanted.” The New Yorker’s Washington correspondent Susan B. Glasser explores the tension within the Republican Party and speaks with David Remnick about her reporting, including an interview with Representative Matt Rosendale, of Montana. A hard-liner dismissive of pragmatic compromise, Rosendale believes that life begins at conception, and he is challenging his House Republican colleagues to vote their convictions and ban in-vitro fertilization.
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