New York Times Examines 'Culture War Rhetoric' On Abortion Related To Presidential Election

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 08 Sep 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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The New York Times on Friday examined the "culture war rhetoric" on abortion and other social issues this week at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. According to the Times, this year's culture war rhetoric on abortion and other issues is a "notable change" from previous Republican conventions in 2000 and 2004 when social conservatives complained that their issues were downplayed by their party. At the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week, officials took a "different approach," attempting to "invite" opponents of abortion rights and religious voters while still affirming the party's support for abortion rights, the Times reports.

Debates on issues such as abortion seemed to be "burning out" ahead of the conventions, "overshadowed" by debates on terrorism, war and the economy, the Times reports. However, the possibility of two vacancies on the Supreme Court during the next presidency "adds urgency" to the abortion issue, according to the Times. Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) earlier this week at the convention said it is possible that if Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) is elected president, the Supreme Court "could be lost to liberalism for a generation."

In addition, Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's (Ariz.) selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) as his vice presidential running mate has "put the abortion issue center stage" in the campaign, the Times reports. Palin, who is opposed to abortion rights, has been a "hero to the antiabortion movement" since she gave birth to an infant with Down syndrome earlier this year, according to the Times. Thompson at the convention this week criticized Obama for trying to avoid questions about the science and theology of abortion earlier in the campaign.

According to the Times, Republican strategists argued that the tone of the rhetoric this year is different from the culture war rhetoric in the past. Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist, said that the barbs at this year's convention were aimed at Obama. Ayres said, "There is a difference between sarcasm toward individuals and sneering toward an entire group of people." Still, talk of a culture divide permeated the convention, John Green, a political scientist at the University of Akron, said. According to the Times, the Republican Party aims to portray Obama "as an outsider" who does not understand the concerns of Americans on social issues. Green said that during the Republican convention there was a "relentless emphasis on cultural difference" between McCain and Obama supporters. Green added that Republicans tried to convey that they represent the "real America" and that Democrats "don't understand" most U.S. residents' concerns.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who supports abortion rights, said some moderate voters would view the Republicans' strategy as "red meat" for advocates. Specter said his "preference would be that you don't have a litmus test on abortion anywhere, including in the selection of a vice president," but added that he "understand[s]" McCain's "concern about solidifying the [Republican] base" by selecting Palin as his running mate (Kirkpatrick, New York Times, 9/5).

AP/Los Angeles Times Examines Presidential Candidates' Efforts To Attract Catholic Voters

In related news, the AP/Los Angeles Times on Friday examined how Roman Catholic voters are "shaping up to be the battleground religious vote" in the November election. Recent polls have found McCain and Obama are "neck and neck" with white Catholic voters. According to the AP/Times, an "unknown" in the race is the effect of Catholic bishops' statements about the election. Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput has said that Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden (Del.), a Catholic who supports abortion rights, should not receive Holy Communion.

Both Obama and McCain are increasing efforts to appeal to Catholic voters who do not identify with either party, the AP/Times reports. McCain supporters have held events for antiabortion and Catholic groups. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), who is Catholic, at the convention events this week said Obama would be the "abortion president." Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), who also is Catholic, highlighted McCain's opposition to abortion rights at events held for Catholics.

Obama last week at the Democratic convention said that his policies would reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and that his views on the economy, environment and poverty are more in line with the Catholic value of pursuing the common good than McCain's views. The Obama campaign has targeted younger Catholics who support social justice and women's religious groups (Gorski, AP/Los Angeles Times, 9/5).

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