Progressives issue statement of principles on abortion rights after Democratic leaders

[ehrnst]

hint at softer stance

A coalition of pro-abortion-rights and progressive groups is uniting behind a “statement of principles” to push back against Democratic leaders who say they would welcome antiabortion candidates in 2018. It’s the latest response to an issue that has repeatedly sparked infighting among progressives since the start of the year, with a new round of recriminations after Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said there was “no litmus test” to run as a Democrat.

“The media has been framing this as a split between Democrats, and that’s not what it is,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL, a pro-abortion-rights organization. “Among the rank-and-file groups that make up the majority of the Democratic base, there is really no split on abortion rights.”

But the very existence of the statement has rankled some Democrats who’ve seen a sort of “Groundhog Day” debacle unfold over abortion rights — similar stories in April, May and then July in which Democratic leaders put up a big tent for people who are antiabortion, only to be blown back by abortion rights groups.
.............................................................................................

“Data shows that lots of people who identify as pro-life believe in legal access to abortion,” Hogue said. “You have people like Mario Cuomo who were staunchly pro-life but never voted that way — and who could speak eloquently about why. Sen. Bob Casey [a Pennsylvania Democrat] seems like a nice guy, but he’s winning elections in spite of his pro-life views, not because of them. Voters really respond well to people saying to them, ‘Look, we disagree, but here’s why I hold this position.’ ”
..........................................................................................................


Those sentiments were endorsed and hammered out by NARAL and Democracy for America; they’re endorsed as well by MoveOn.org, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Emily’s List, the Working Families Party, Ultraviolet, Demos, the American Federation of Teachers, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, the Indivisible Project, Social Security Works and Daily Kos, a blog that unendorsed Mello after learning of his abortion record.

The principles are reprinted below.

As progressives, we know we cannot have a real conversation about economic security that does not include the ability to decide if, when, and how to raise a family; that being able to plan a pregnancy has a powerful effect on educational attainment, career trajectory, and chance to define our own destinies.

As progressives, we stand united in understanding that policies that limit access to abortion and force medically unnecessary procedures are oppressive to women, especially low-income women and women of color.

As progressives, we stand united in the belief that a woman’s autonomy over her own body is not a secondary issue or a “social issue,” but rather a human right and a necessity in order to attain and preserve economic security in her life.

As progressives, we acknowledge that the current economic system is exceptionally punishing of mothers, single mothers, and mothers of color whose wages, job opportunities, and economic advancement suffer due to the “motherhood penalty.”

As progressives, we stand united in our belief that 21st century economic populism must include an understanding of how race and gender affect our economic reality and our economic opportunity.

As a progressive movement, we recognize that over the last decade there has been a massive erosion of access to abortion and attacks on contraception and we cannot back away from this fight without abandoning people and undercutting core constituencies in our base.

As we always have, progressives share our party with people who personally don’t believe that abortion is an option for them. This includes self-identified “pro-life” legislators up until the moment they seek to impose those personal views on their constituents and the country. If they vote to restrict abortion access or contraception access, they then undercut the party platform and they undercut the welfare of women. We strive for and believe in personal evolution and growth so, if they have voted to do so in the past, the burden of proof is upon them through subsequent votes and/or public statements — not in the heat of a campaign — but prior to running for office or reelection.

Thus, as progressives, we know to organize, mobilize, and win elections we must field candidates who understand the integral nature of these core values and bring the full power of our collective base to win.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/08/02/progressives-issue-statement-of-principles-on-abortion-rights-after-democratic-leaders-hint-at-softer-stance/

[ExciteBike66]

1. The rub

"As we always have, progressives share our party with people who personally don’t believe that abortion is an option for them. This includes self-identified “pro-life” legislators up until the moment they seek to impose those personal views on their constituents and the country."

A lot of grief lately due to this distinction between personal, private beliefs and publicly pushing legislation based on those beliefs. I don't see why the party can't include people like Cuomo who don't push their beliefs on others in the form of legislation.

"Abortion" as a concept can be controversial in the Dem party, but "choice" as a reality cannot.

[ehrnst]

2. Yep - "choice" is our party platform, not a personal opinion on abortion. (nt)

[boston bean]

4. I noticed, that some people have no idea what choice is.

and they are willing to allow anti abortionists a right at the table in the democratic party.

Wish they would go learn something.

[ehrnst]

5. Some people here on DU are still pushing the lie that Kaine is anti-choice. (nt)

[boston bean]

7. yep and use him as a reason to allow Anti Choice people under the tent... I'm talking politicians,

not voters.

I am sure some anti choice people probably vote democrat... fine.. they obviously have other reasons for their vote.

But for a dem politician to be anti choice, that is whole other ball of wax.

[rgbecker]

3. This!

As we always have, progressives share our party with people who personally don’t believe that abortion is an option for them. This includes self-identified “pro-life” legislators up until the moment they seek to impose those personal views on their constituents and the country. If they vote to restrict abortion access or contraception access, they then undercut the party platform and they undercut the welfare of women. We strive for and believe in personal evolution and growth so, if they have voted to do so in the past, the burden of proof is upon them through subsequent votes and/or public statements — not in the heat of a campaign — but prior to running for office or reelection.

[ehrnst]

6. But the alt-left says that there is no growth, no change

and that any evolution or change on the part of a politician - even outside of campaign years- is waffling, or corruption.

Except for abortion, of course. Or maybe Gay marriage. Stuff that doesn't directly affect straight white men.

Pandering to that small, loud, white sliver of the left is going to destroy our chances in 2018 much faster than "pro-life" Dem candidates not getting funding from national.

[Omaha Steve]

8. "impose those personal views on their constituents and the country"

Health Mello!

Was pro life in the NE legislature. He represented the largest pro-life D Hispanic district in Ne.

Was pro Keystone XL (State AFL-CIO pushed hard for the construction jobs it would bring) in the legislature.


Kaine—a Catholic who says he is personally opposed to abortion but pledged to leave the right to choose intact on a national level.

(CNN)Hillary Clinton's running mate, Tim Kaine, sparked confusion Friday after saying he supports the anti-abortion Hyde Amendment and the Clinton campaign's call to repeal the measure.

Mello: “While my faith guides my personal views, as mayor I would never do anything to restrict access to reproductive health care.”


Tim Kaine's Climate Record Is All over the Map: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tim-kaine-s-climate-record-is-all-over-the-map/
He is for natural gas and oil drilling, yet also for cutting greenhouse gas emissions

We are proud to endorse Heath Mello as a Bold candidate for Mayor of Omaha.

Heath has a demonstrated record of supporting environmental and sustainability issues as a former state senator. He has earned the endorsement of the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters, after also being named the group’s 2016 Conservation Champion.

From the group leading the fight against Keystone XL: http://boldnebraska.org/election2017/
Heath worked on proposals to improve recycling, support local clean energy initiatives, address water conservation, and create new green jobs. He also worked with his colleagues in the Unicameral to establish the LR455 select committee that produced major policy recommendations to address climate change in Nebraska.

[Orrex]

9. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall noted so aptly:

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

As far as I am concerned, a Democrat can personally object to abortion, but if that Democrat doesn't aggressively defend the right of reproductive choice, then they're no Democrat, and they can't count on my vote.

[ehrnst]

10. And as of this declaration of surrender by the DCCC, they do not get my donation

and I'm one of many who feel the same way.