(Community Matters) NYTimes question: What does Mr. Stupak’s situation say about the potency of abortion as a political issue? Or are other political factors at play? Interesting response from Harvard government professor Theda Skocpol,
I don’t think this is about the potency of abortion as a political issue. Most Americans have moderate views on abortion. This is about the Tea Party movement, a very extremist minority, targeting people who supported President Obama in the March votes and played a pivotal role in enacting health care reform.
Congressman Stupak has been targeted by the general right-wing movement in this country, which is using the abortion issue along with many other stoked-up false fears about health reform. The aim of that movement, or at least those who are encouraging it and funding much of it, is to elect enough Republicans to undo regulations and subsidies that businesses and rich people want destroyed.
Mr. Stupak’s departure will hurt Democrats a bit, because they probably cannot hold the district. But it is a story of one legislator who does not want to be threatened in this ongoing war, which is not a war about abortion at all.
It is a war about whether the very richest Americans can be asked to give up a bit of power and pay a bit more to create a more decent society for all, in this case by paying for affordable health care for all Americans and putting limits on health insurance company practices.
Those who are being asked to adjust a bit hate it. They want to destroy the law and the Obama presidency. They are going to use all the pressure they can to get Democrats to quit or cave in, or be replaced. I am sorry Mr. Stupak is leaving the fight.
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