Biden’s surrender to pro-abortion radicals has damaged his 2020 prospects | Marc Thiessen
For more than 40 years, Biden supported the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding for abortions. In 1994, when a constituent wrote to Biden, urging him, "Please don't force me to pay for abortions against my conscience," Biden replied, "I agree with you." He pointed out that he had voted no fewer than 50 times against federal funding of abortions, promising, "Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for them." In his 2007 book "Promises to Keep," Biden wrote, "I've stuck to my middle-of-the-road position on abortion for more than 30 years."
But middle-of-the-road is no longer good enough in today's Democratic Party. So when Biden recently reaffirmed his support for the Hyde Amendment, his opponents for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination pounced. "There is #NoMiddleGround on women's rights," Sen.
As recently as last week, the former vice president was still standing firm. It appeared this might be his "Sister Souljah moment," when he separated himself from the extremists in his party. This was both principled and good politics: Just 36% of Americans support federal funds to pay for abortion.
But then Biden gave in to the mob. He tried to justify his flip-flop at a
Biden's surrender to the pro-abortion radicals damaged his presidential prospects. First, it made him seem weak and unprincipled. Few pro-choice voters would have abandoned Biden because he opposed taxpayer-funded abortion; indeed, plenty of pro-choice voters agree with that position. But voters will abandon a politician who abandons his principles.
Second, it hurt Biden with the one group he claims he can win back for
Third, Biden's capitulation refocused the national spotlight on abortion extremism in the Democratic Party. After
Sadly, Biden has aligned himself with the radical minority. He should be ashamed.
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