There's a short piece I wrote up on the site about how progressives are using pro-choice messages to gain support in electoral campaigns, and these comments by Sarah Palin drive home the point:
James Dobson: "In your private conversations with Senator McCain is it your impression that he also strongly supports those views? I know that he did not oppose that platform when it was written. Do you think he will implement it?"
Sarah Palin: "I do, from the bottom of my heart. I am such a strong believer that McCain believes in those strong planks and we do have good conversations about some of the details too, about the different planks and what they represent."
Ambinder notes that the planks under discussion -- which come from the official GOP platform -- contain support for a constitutional amendment banning abortion without exceptions, a constitutional ban on gay marriage, and opposition for funding stem-cell research. Set aside the second two and look at the first: no choice, no exceptions. Meanwhile, a majority of the country thinks that abortion should be legal with some restrictions. Only about 10 to 20 percent of the country thinks that abortion should be totally illegal. That's a pretty extreme view. And that's one reason why examining that record is working for pro-choice candidates across the country.
--Tim Fernholz
