Tackling the issue of abortion
A quick link to P-I columnist Joel Connelly's column this morning: 'Seamless garment' concept a key in abortion issue.
The column talks about (in part) the need for Democrats to welcome those in the party who are pro-life. This is an issue that strongly resonates with many Democrats who feel they have been shut out in the cold.
We're going to keep losing to the Republican Party if we keep giving those who are pro-life reasons to go to the other side. We need to be the party that is the "big tent", not allow the GOP to have that role.
"Pro-choice" activists have often sneered, hissed, and booed at pro-life Democrats at rallies and other party events. It's been documented many times. Well, they should get used to losing if they want to keep up that attitude. Issues such as abortion and gay marriage are helping to drive evangelicals out to the polls to vote for candidates like George W. Bush.
We need to make sure that Democrats who are against abortion and for the protection of the unborn are not shouted down, but are instead welcomed into the party. Those who are pro-choice and for women's rights should have nothing to fear.
In his column, Connelly notes that President Clinton declared this in a speech he made at Riverside Church in New York last summer: "I have never met anybody that was pro-abortion."
The Democratic Party should welcome calm conversation about this issue, instead of rigidly sticking to one side of the issue. If it can't, it risks continuing to alienate people who are for most Democratic positions but against abortion - people like Roman Catholics.
The column talks about (in part) the need for Democrats to welcome those in the party who are pro-life. This is an issue that strongly resonates with many Democrats who feel they have been shut out in the cold.
We're going to keep losing to the Republican Party if we keep giving those who are pro-life reasons to go to the other side. We need to be the party that is the "big tent", not allow the GOP to have that role.
"Pro-choice" activists have often sneered, hissed, and booed at pro-life Democrats at rallies and other party events. It's been documented many times. Well, they should get used to losing if they want to keep up that attitude. Issues such as abortion and gay marriage are helping to drive evangelicals out to the polls to vote for candidates like George W. Bush.
We need to make sure that Democrats who are against abortion and for the protection of the unborn are not shouted down, but are instead welcomed into the party. Those who are pro-choice and for women's rights should have nothing to fear.
In his column, Connelly notes that President Clinton declared this in a speech he made at Riverside Church in New York last summer: "I have never met anybody that was pro-abortion."
The Democratic Party should welcome calm conversation about this issue, instead of rigidly sticking to one side of the issue. If it can't, it risks continuing to alienate people who are for most Democratic positions but against abortion - people like Roman Catholics.
