Abortion Is "Animating Issue" in 2014 Midterm Elections

The New York Times: Parties Seize on Abortion Issues in Midterm Race, by Jeremy W. Peters:

 . . . Abortion is becoming an unexpectedly animating issue in the 2014 midterm elections. Republicans, through state ballot initiatives and legislation in Congress, are using it to stoke enthusiasm among core supporters. Democrats, mindful of how potent the subject has been in recent campaigns like last year’s governor’s race in Virginia, are looking to rally female voters by portraying their conservative opponents as callous on women’s issues. . . .

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I found this passage interesting:

Coupling the issue of abortion with a subject important to Republicans’ Tea Party followers — government spending — is one way the party is recalibrating its election-year message. Republicans say that by framing the abortion debate in terms of fiscal conservatism, they can make a connection to the issue they believe will ultimately decide who controls Congress next year — the Affordable Care Act.

The GOP apparently doesn't feel confident that it can afford to address abortion head-on.  Republicans are on the defensive, because they know they don't have public support for direct assaults on abortion.  But as the GOP continues its stealth attacks on abortion, the struggle for pro-choice advocates and politicians will continue to be how to expose the Republicans' true agenda to voters.

-CEB