Tim defends Jim Wallis and his abortion reduction rhetoric as a better alternative to the culture wars and bringing new voters into the Democratic Party.
But pro-choice advocates and feminists have always championed minimizing unintended pregnancies through safe, effective, affordable birth control and comprehensive sex education, and supporting women and their families through pay equity, child care, parental leave, raising the minimum wage, and other policies. Wallis didn't bring those policies ideas to the table; what he does bring to the table is condescension to women by maintaining that he knows better than they do what's good for their souls.
A few weeks ago I spoke with Frances Kissling, the former president of Catholics for a Free Choice, and asked her about Wallis' role in the abortion reduction frame as well as his emergence as a leading figure of a religious "left." Kissling replied that "his views on women and abortion are dangerous. He sees women as victims. He cannot acknowledge that there is a woman who is strong, competent, capable, moral adult who can make the decision to have an abortion because that is the best moral choice for her."
--Sarah Posner
