D’s post got me thinking about the Sarah Palin backlash. The only explanation that accounts for all of it is that she is a living rebuke to the abortion-is-necessary crowd. It’s impossible to underestimate the power of all the guilt crawling under the skin of all the career women who got rid of unwanted babies, or indeed among all the men who were complicit in their crimes. She is a living rebuke, and her shortcomings just make it even harder to take.
This also accounts for the silence on anything that might make Obama, the most pro-abortion candidate in history, look bad. Or the fact that Biden’s gaffes don’t have any effect on him, when Palin’s gaffes destroy her credibility instantly. I believe that abortion is the issue this election.
Even though abortion is viewed as a defining issues for the Republican party, it’s amazing how marginalized the anti-abortion crowd is. We’re getting to the point where the only acceptable position is Obama’s “reasonable, middle-ground” one.
In the end the McCain camp’s biggest mistake was choosing someone who is too pro-life. Obama is fooling plenty of conservatives on this issue, but there’s no mistaking where Palin stands.
Austin,
Speaking as someone with definite single-issue voter tendencies, I still can’t quite agree with you. A few questions (since Chris is out, I must fill this role):
1) If abortion is “the issue this election,” why have we not heard a single question about it at ANY of the debates, Pres or Vice-Pres?
2) If Palin’s pro-life stance is so affronting, why did she get such astounding props from the female demographic right after her pick? Couldn’t it be the backlash was caused, not by her pro-life beliefs (which were never a secret), but by her horrible performance on network television?
3) Sounds great, but on what grounds is Obama the “most pro-abortion candidate in history.” I have no interest in defending him, ala Chris, but why is he any worse than ANY of the recent DNC candidates? Kerry? Edwards? Clinton(s)? Really and honestly. No propaganda necessary on HPN. He’s bad. But he also makes a point of talking about the need to reduce abortions (for self-serving reasons, obviously). Cf. the new DNC platform.
4) Seems that picking a pro-life VP was the least of McCain’s mistakes. But really… aren’t we just missing the big point here: the US is weary of Bush, and McCain doesn’t have a personality big enough to keep us from associating him with “W.” Which, btw, is the name of a movie that Brian and I want to watch with you this Friday.
1) Mainstream Media Conspiracy
2) No
3) His voting record
4) Yeah, you may be right. Alas, I will be in Houston, TX for the rest of the week.
I’m probably not your target audience — being a strong-Agnostic liberal — but ever since Chris turned me on to this site, I’ve really enjoyed reading it.
But…this is the first time that something has been written that so deeply offends me that I just had to say something.
Because someone is Pro-Choice does not mean they are “Pro-Abortion” or believe that “abortion is necessary” (to paraphrase your post).
Quite the contrary, in fact! I think abortion should be used ONLY as a last resort. If I were ever in the position to council someone on this issue, I would strongly urge them to choose life.
I know this is where we fundamentally disagree, but I do believe that everyone should have the RIGHT to choose. Not that they SHOULD choose, but that the option needs to exist.
I am only myself, and to think that I can dictate what other people do with their bodies is presumptuous and conceited.
Here’s the Big Thing, for the record: everyone I have ever talked to about this believes the same thing. The idea that liberals are abortion-loving fiends is offensive, just as is the idea that conservatives are ignorant rednecks.
I know we’ll never see eye-to-eye on abortion, but that’s okay. Disagreement is healthy. I just want to make sure you’re not propagating a stereotype that is patently false and vile.
And now back to your regularly scheduled program.
Thanks for writing, guys!
P.S. The EMP is awesome.