Denver, Colo., Aug 28, 2008 / 20:25 pm
The Democratic Party’s platform, leadership, and delegates stand far to the left of its rank-and-file members, according to a new paper released by Democrats for Life of America. This disparity, manifesting itself in the party’s 2008 platform and in polls and interviews with delegates, could harm the party electorally.
“The Case for Pro-Life Democrats,” a 13-page document released this week by Democrats for Life uses demographic and polling information to argue that Democrats will gain politically from more openness to pro-life politicians and policies.
Strong majorities of Americans, according to a 2007 Zogby poll, supported requiring minors seeking abortions to get their parents consent (69 percent), laws requiring informed consent before mothers can procure an abortion (64%), and outlawing partial-birth abortion (67%). A Gallup poll in 2007 also found 72 percent opposing third-trimester abortions.
In contrast to this public sentiment, the Democratic platform approved this week states: “The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.” Roe protects, as a constitutional right, abortion up until the moment of delivery, and parental consent, parental notification, and informed consent, are presumably “efforts to weaken and undermine” “a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion.”