Reply #23: The food labeling is from the food industry

[Norquist Nemesis]

and the insurance mandates from insurance lobbies, both corporate issues. The abortion issue is from the very core of their 'base'. Just like the Schiavo intervention was. The Con politicians badly misjudged the tactic.

But, IMHO, what matters MOST to these politicians is maintaining a majority. It keeps their pockets lined while they're in office, and guarantees a lucrative post-political career. If they tried to write a federal ban on abortion, vs. 'putting it back to the states' it would be political suicide.