Something Off ?

(Something Off ?)

It is said by the so-called "experts" that off year elections can be bellwethers can be predicative for a regular cycle the following year. Not to belabor the point, but Democrats had  a good night's off-year election, defeating Republican initiatives and legislators. The Democrat governor in Kentucky was re-elected. In Virginia, Democrats now hold the entire State House. Commonwealth Governor Youngkin (R) who had campaigned for GOP gold of the House and flip the Senate, the actual reverse materialized. The issue that proved decisive was that of abortion and the more restrictive Republicans try to make it, the worse they fare. Finally in Ohio, abortion access is now enshrined in the State Constitution.


At this point, perhaps it would have been preferable had the Supreme Court not rendered the "Dobbs" decision that reversed Row vs Wade. Remember, however that the decision had been leaked and since then, Republicans efforts to capitalize off the Dobbs ruling, as would be the ideological tendency, into electoral success has failed spectacularly, last night's Republican bloodbath is just the latest example.


So, do Democrats have a campaign issue that can be taken into next year ? Has new life been breathed into the President Biden Campaign and for Democrats over all ? Democrat operative David Axelrod was saying the other say that Biden should drop out as Trump looks increasingly un-assailable ? Now, Axelrod is re-assessing those comments. Could President Biden be re-elected because he has the right view on abortion ?


However, this is not a ground that Republicans have to surrender but, as the GOP is still the Pro-Life Party and the rights they defend are those of the un-born who by definition have no advocate. Can that position now be discarded because it is becoming politically and electorally in-convenient ? Another factor being considered is the presence of Donald Trump, an ally of Virginia Governor Youngkin. His GOP competition has said as much. 


Abortion might elect Democrats but the Party must also see the Pro-Choice stance in context. While Democrats celebrated last night's election, Congresswoman and Squad Member, Rashida Talib (D-MN) was censured in a vote of 234-188, twenty two Democrats voting with Majority Republicans. Talib had made inflammatory anti-Israel comments of such an egregious nature that the House bi-partisan rebuke was appropriate.


That being said and beyond abortion, however, where will Democrats be standing on aiding Israel ? Funding Ukraine ? The economy and taxes ? President Biden is not getting any younger and could be impeached. Abortion works for the single issue voter and they were legion strength last night.


Republicans need a middle ground. The extreme position on abortion might satisfy the GOP base but that alone is not sufficient to win elections. However, in broadening adjustments to the issue, there is risk in alienating that base. Could there be a happy medium ? Or will a seance required to resurrect Republican fortunes ?

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