NPR's "All Things Considered" Considers a New Approach on Abortion

2006-03-21T14:48:00-07:00

We can thank Governor Rounds and the Republican South Dakota Legislature for one thing – they may have spurred a new kind of debate on abortion. Their recently-passed law to criminalize all abortions may become known as the law of unintended political consequences.

It was not long ago when press coverage of the abortion debate consisted of two buzzwords: choice and life. Up until the 1990s, the message from pro-lifers centered upon life, murder, infanticide, blockades, and fetuses in jars. But then they got wise and changed their tune from the absolutism of banning abortion to regulating it. On the pro-choice side, however, the messages have largely stayed the same: the right to choose, non-interference with the doctor-patient relationship, and the need to protect women’s health and women’s rights. Not surprisingly, the life movement began to gain support and the choice side watched the Congress, Presidency, and State Legislatures slip away.

There are hopeful signs, however, that the debate is beginning to change. The South Dakota ban has forced the pro-life contingent back to its original corner: banning and criminalizing abortion. And this past Friday, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered ran the piece “Political Strategies Shift in New Abortion Landscape,” which featured Third Way and our new suggested messaging – reducing abortion while protecting personal liberties. Not long ago, Slate magazine ran a debate – “Is Abortion Bad?” – between Will Saletan and Katha Pollitt also about reducing the number of abortions in America.

Some brave pro-choice politicians are also talking more about the moral complexity of abortion and the desired goal of reducing the number of abortions. Just over a year ago, Hillary Clinton made her speech where she referred to abortion as a “sad, even tragic” choice for “many, many women.” And just this past weekend on Face the Nation, Senator Obama reflected: “I think the Democrats historically have made a mistake just trying to avoid the issue, or pretend that there’s not a moral component to it. There is.” Senator Obama went on to admonish that we must talk more about reducing the circumstances that lead to abortion in America: “And I think that no matter what side of the debate that you’re on, you’re going to agree … that we have to have a serious conversation about how to reduce the circumstances in which women feel obliged to make that choice.”

Third Way believes there is a better way to talk about abortion, apart from the traditional phrases and positions that divide instead of unite us. Progressive politicians should talk about reducing the number of abortions in America while protecting personal liberties.

This message promotes an important moral objective, while remaining true to progressive ideals. It also more effectively reaches the vast majority of Americans who are “in the middle” on abortion. The press is listening; we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss it. See also our message memo Winning the Abortion Grays. We’re gaining momentum.

Third Way Dispatch: NPR's "All Things Considered" Considers a New Approach on Abortion

NPR's "All Things Considered" Considers a New Approach on Abortion