Seriously... Why are people bringing up abortion? I have not heard a single candidate mention the issue...?

Question

I am not trying to be mean but if the candidates don't make it an issue, how can that be your only reason for choosing a party or a candidate?

I agree that it is important to each individual who has a strong belief on the subject, but in the debates I've seen, etc., I have not heard it mentioned (Really, I've only seen it brought up on YA.) so I was wondering how a person can use it as their reason for making a decision in the vote--Thanks to those who answered the question instead of going on a crazy rant (Wrath of God).

Answer 1

There are much more important issues.

Answer 2

None of the front-running Republicans can make a strong appeal to the base on the issue. Giuliani is actually pro-choice. Romney was pro-choice before he entered presidential politics so he is vulnerable as a flip-flopper. Thompson actually worked as a lobbyist for pro-choice groups although he claims to be pro-life which makes him vulnerable as a sell-out. So, since they can't run on a pro-life platform, they are hoping the issue will go quietly away. Whichever one wins the nomination, if it becomes an issue in the race, it won't matter that the democrat is pro-choice. If the Rep. is seen as weak to the single-issue -pro-life voters, those voters will just stay home on election day and hand the race to the democrats.

On the other hand, the strong-pro-life GOP candidates are seen as weak to the other single-issue voters in the GOP. Ron Paul might appeal to pro-lifers, but he scares rational people. McCain can't appease the anti-immigration fringe, and he advocated pulling out of Somalia citing Reagan pulling out of Lebanon so he scares the pro-war crowd.

Bottom line, the GOP has spent so much time courting so many fringe groups that it is impossible to find a candidate to placate all of them AND still appeal to the moderate voting majority that one needs in order to win the election.

That's why we on the left keep bringing it up.

Answer 3

Because the abortion debate is, by far, the number 1 fundraising issue for both parties.

Yes, people say what's really important to them is defense, or schools, or the economy, or civil rights -- but it's contributions and soft money from the two sides of the abortion debate that fill the campaign coffers.

The candidates will avoid mentioning it as much as they can, because it gets them nothing, but can cost them. The Democrats know they'll get the pro-choice lefties, and the Republicans know they will get the pro-life righties, but both of them will upset the moderates, who don't like being pandered to on a matter that isn't their key voting factor.

Answer 4

Abortion is an important issue to ME. It is not the sole reason I will not vote for a candidate, but it will be hard for me to support a candidate who does not share my views on abortion. Basically they would have to share my views on all other important issues for me to vote for rthem in spite of their view on abortion.

It may not be at the forefront of issues with candidates now with the war in Iraq and etc, but it always pops back up and becomes a hot issue. I want to make sure that the person I vote for shares my views on the issues that I find important to me, which includes abortion....even if it is not a hot topic at this very moment.

Answer 5

Abortion and gay-rights are usually wedge issues fronted mostly by GOP candidates pandering for the 'family values' voter.

However, with Rudy Giuliani leading the GOP polls and being pro-choice and pro-gay rights, neither issue can be mentioned without damaging Rudy's poll numbers.

Thus, the GOP is hiding from these issues for the 08 election.

Only Democrats are bringing up the abortion issue now, in order to nail Giuliani and drop his numbers.

Answer 6

It's amazing that it's not an issue in the presidential race. Even Pat Robertson just endorsed Giuliani, even though he's pro-choice.

But that is good because I'm tired of elections being decided over fringe issues that don't really matter that much.

Answer 7

I think it's just a fairly obvious and shallow attempt by trolls and other weirdos to re-direct the conversation to an issue where those of a conservative bent have *previously* had a popular opinion in the past. After all, they sure aren't winning too many hearts and minds on the Iraq War they started, on New Orleans and other disaster relief, on poverty issues, on healthcare issues, on jobs and the economy, on fiscal discipline (deficits and trade imbalances), or on Rule of Law concerns surrounding illegal immigration.

So yeah....I'd just take a deep breath and pity those who cough up abortion and old-school family values issues. It's all just a sign that times *should* be changing, and that the "side" that has won it all for the past 26 years plus is running out of gas in terms of clear, popular arguments. You just wait.....someone will bring up Willie Horton pretty soon too. ^_^

It's sad. It used to be that conservative people *valued* things like competence, intelligence, and the goodwill of ordinary people. Oh well, things happen sometimes, and all change ends up sucking for *somebody somewhere*.

What can you do? ^_~

Answer 8

Trolls keep asking about abortion because it gets everyone worked up since it is a controversial issue. So therefore the question is repeated about 100 times or so per day

Answer 9

In contrast, I've heard every candidate say their piece about abortion. I agree that being a one issue voter is ridiculous, but those who are anti-choice banner carriers make this a huge point of contention in our elections.

Answer 10

Republicans need to hang on to the fantasy of being the party of compassion and Christian values by ranting about irrelevant issues that distract us from the real harm they have brought on this country while they were in power.

Answer 11

Actually it is a huge issue for Republican voters and is one of the top issues for the Repubican's who are running. Take Rudy for example, who believes in keeping Roe v Wade, unlike everyone of his counterparts. Because of Rudy's lax stance on abortion, it could cause him a ton of votes.

This is why I will NOT vote for a Bible beating Republican!