#republican flip-flop on abortion

[tomorrowusa]

Arizona Republicans who had been calling for the most extreme abortion restrictions possible are abruptly flip-flopping now that the 100% Republican-appointed Arizona Supreme Court has given them exactly what they had been working for. 😳

Most Republicans had been calling for the repeal of Roe v. Wade since the US Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973. When the GOP-majority SCOTUS overturned Roe in 2022, Republicans began to realize that most Americans didn't want Christian fundamentalist overseers in every bedroom and doctor's office in the US.

These sudden changes of opinion on abortion by Republicans are more fake than Trump's face color.

CNN anchor rolls tape on Arizona politician's abortion stance before the state Supreme Court ruling

Don't believe Republicans pretending to be moderate on abortion. They had been striving to make abortion illegal since 1973 and when they succeeded, they absolutely gloated about it.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Dan Pfeiffer at The Message Box:

The generally accepted — and oft-repeated — narrative about Trump is that he is a cult-leader who can bend the Republican base to his will. On issues like free trade and foreign policy, he broke with long-standing Republican orthodoxy and faced no repercussions. He attacked Republican stalwarts like the Bush family and John McCain. Not only was there no blowback, Trump also made these folks' personas non-grata in the Republican Party. Whether it’s indictments, his sexual assaults, or his dalliances and dinner dates with Nazis, Trump could force the Republican Party to go along. The GOP is Trump’s party and what he says goes. Trump is a man accountable to no one. This has benefited him politically and brought in folks who hate politics and distrust institutions. But that image became fuzzy last week when Donald Trump bent to the will of anti-abortion extremists in a stunning flip-flop on abortion that tells us everything we need to know about Donald Trump. He poses an existential threat to reproductive freedom for tens of millions of Americans.

The Flip-Flop to End All Flip-Flops

I have written about Trump’s abortion flip-flop a couple of times in the last week, so if you are a regular reader of Message Box, please feel free to skip ahead. If not… In an interview with Dasha Burns of NBC News, Trump implied that he would vote for the amendment on the Florida ballot guaranteeing access to abortion and effectively overturning the state’s six-week ban. Trump is now a Florida resident and many are unsure how he plans to vote on the amendment. Trump’s stated position on abortion is that it's up to the states. For crass political reasons he has been critical of Florida’s extreme ban. A day ago, Trump flip-flopped, telling Fox News that he would vote NO on the amendment. So what happened in the subsequent twenty-four hours?

Well, the evangelical community and anti-abortion activists went ballistic. They blew up the phone lines to Mar-a-Lago or wherever Trump  was laying his head last week. They argued that Trump’s new stance would depress turnout from his base. Ever since Dobbs, Trump cannot get it right. He watched his slate of hand-picked candidates get mowed down in 2022 and he sees the polls showing large majorities oppose the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the sorts of state and national abortion bans of which Republicans have long dreamed. Trump thought his “leave it to the states” policy would help. It didn’t. Floating the idea of voting for the abortion amendment was another desperate effort to get on the right side of the issue that has cost Republicans nearly every election. This time, Trump crossed a line. The anti-abortion faction of the party told him to reverse course and he did so immediately. One of the core tenets of Trump’s political philosophy is to never, under any circumstances admit to wrongdoing. Heck, Trump doubled, tripled, and quadrupled down on defending and dining with Nazis. So the fact that Trump changed course so quickly and with so little resistance on abortion is quite notable.

[...] These folks will be calling the shots in a Trump Administration. They will influence policy and staffing decisions and that should scare the shit out of anyone who cares about reproductive freedom. Dobbs was the beginning — not the end — of the Far Right’s efforts.

Donald Trump being made to cry “uncle” and say that he is voting no on Florida Amendment 4 after being heavily criticized by anti-abortion commentators when he stated that he would initially consider voting in favor of Amendment 4 is proof that the anti-abortion extremists still call the shots in the GOP.

[anamericangirl]

Hi! I was just wondering now with Trump being blatantly pro choice what are the options for pro life presidential candidates that actually have a chance at winning? This is something I've really been stressing about and I'd love your input!

He does seem to flip flop a lot on abortion, which is disappointing. But really at this point there’s not anyone else in the running. Trump is basically the Republican nominee as all the other major candidates have dropped out so we’re either getting Trump again or another four years of democrats.

But although where he personally stands on abortion is a little hard to decipher at times he is the most pro-life president in modern history. His presidency led to the overturning of roe v wade and we got very pro-life judges on the Supreme Court.

So yeah it’s disappointing to see him go back and forth on the issue, but policy wise and his decisions as president have been very beneficial for the pro-life movement overall more so than any other president. So I still think he’s the best choice.

[daughterofsarenrae]

I can’t bring myself to do any deep dives into political podcasts or discussions, would you summarize the latest? What are the reactions post debate? Most of my coworkers are going to vote trump but they treat me (an obviously queer person) so kindly. It’s dispiriting.

hiya! preferencing everything i say here with a "this is an extremely close race and will be until the very end" disclaimer but! we are not in doom and gloom mode we are in determined hope mode imo

post debate: fox news anchors were saying on air immediately after the debate that trump lost. like straight up they COULD not spin it in a way that he won. harris challenged him to another debate like hours after and i think it was today where he was like "no i totally won 100% so im not doing another" which. makes him look like a coward running away from facing her again bc he and everyone else knows he lost. so that's fun! of course he could go back on that bc he switched between he would/wouldnt do this debate like 8 times leading up to it. u cant trust anything out of his mouth! who knew?

ANYWAYS so that post i rb'd earlier was true: about 1/4 trump voters said the debate made them reconsider their vote, and i thiiiink wapo cited 6% of trump voters DID change their vote post debate. debates dont traditionally have anything to do with election results but it might be a good indicator in this one. most undecided voters' stance is "we dont know enough about harris's positions/policies" bc her campaign is like. 1.5? 2? (i forget) months old. the debate was her chance to lay her policy out for a HUGE audience- i think it was 67 million people watching? whereas trump: everyone knows who he is and what his views are. he is a known figure and people have made decisions. she is not known. and her core message that debate was "i am not trump or biden, i'm a new way forward" which for all of the people who were not wanting to vote for either trump/biden (bc of policies or age or WHATEVER) is important. national polls are close with harris trending up basically since her campaign started, but the important polls are the swing state ones, which typically are either tied or harris up by a tinyyyy bit.

the important thing here is: trump has his base. they will vote for him no matter what. generally he's kind of capped off how many voters he can get. people who are undecided/abstaining wouldve committed to him by now. harris is the unknown here, which means she has the greatest potential for growth, esp among undecideds and abstaining voters. the general view is they want to know more and are open to learning more. she's only done the one big mainstream news media interview so far bc she's been uh. a little busy! between constant rallies and the dnc and debate prep and such, but she's also been doing (almost?) daily local radio interviews. extremely grassroots campaign stuff. but also she's gotten fuckin. liz and dick cheney's endorsements. and a lot of other republicans. AND ALSO one piece of extremely good post debate news: taylor swift's endorsement. i think i saw a number today where in the 24 hours since her post, over 400,000 people clicked the link to the voter registration website so. extremely encouraging

the maga push to make harris/walz seem super extremist is very funny and also not sticking at all bc walz is literally the most normal guy ever. and every time jd vance shows his face he says something even more self-incriminating. trump distances himself SO much from vance it's so funny. clown show party over there. trump keeps flip-flopping on signing an abortion ban bc the evangelicals will hate him if he doesnt but it's also an extremely extremely unpopular position so he can't really say anything about it without alienating part of his voters

ANYWAYS this is. i guess kind of a summary? i didn't link sources bc im lazy and just got back from work but i will find them if u want me to. and also if u have any other things u wanna know this was extremely general

keep donating keep talking to people keep volunteering! the more voters we get out the better chance we have. esp if you're in the south check your voter registrations. block anyone who encourages you not to vote. most importantly dont give in to the fear. it's ok and normal to be anxious and afraid of this election, but don't let it shut you down. seek news that doesn't just talk about trump, elevate news that talks about harris. remember- people know enough about him that they're committed to him already. letting people know about harris' policies is going to do much more for bringing undecideds into the fold than talking about whatever insane shit trump is on about on any given day. AND ALSO campaign and donate for every other democrat on the ballot. vote blue up and down. let's set harris up for success with a congress that'll actually let her do shit

[cornfieldofbabylon]

This right here is the perfect example of why Conservatives need to stop electing these worthless “moderate” baby boomer generation politicians just because they claim to be Republicans. 

Too many so-called “republicans” in the Nebraska legislature are overly worried about being nice to the Democrats and acting like the legislature is a sacred priesthood that must be treated with respect at all times. The democrats don’t care about that. They treat the legislature as a battleground and they fight hard to win the war, no matter how outnumbered they may be. And because spineless “Republicans” sit around wringing their hands over small details and worrying about looking good for the next election cycle, the democrats win much more often than their small numbers should allow for.

Truly conservative legislators need to stop pulling punches and get in there with intent to draw blood. Fight to win. 

And voters need to send losers like Riepe and Arch to the retirement home where they belong. 

[vomitdodger]

Never Trumper/trans Republican Screwnunu just can’t help himself to take every opportunity to bad mouth Trump. Sununu is directly responsible for the “assist” in letting NH turn blue. He didn’t REALLY support any America First candidates and gave obvious political BS garbage sound bites.

Early position: “Buldoc believes the election was stolen from Trump and Buldoc is just wrong for New Hampshire”

24 hours after Buldocs primary win and meeting with Sununu:

Buldoc:”I’ve reconsidered and believe the election was NOT stolen”

Sununu:”Buldoc is right for NH”

Many things went bad in NH for America first candidates including no GOP support financially or significant vocal support. Like what Kari Lake received. No REAL support. Pappas and crazy Maggie both won and both are Nancy Pelosis when it comes to voting records. Sununu never called it out. The dem ads were nothing but constant abortion rights BS and lies about the Supreme Court ruling. Somehow the Dobbs decision turned from loss of abortion rights to loosing “lifesaving healthcare”. Unbelievable.

Buldoc flipped flopped policies in 24 hrs of winning the primary after meeting with Sununu to “reconsider” his stance on issues which did disenfranchise his base. Karoline Leavitt stayed the hard course throughout including vocal support for the stolen election. She has a bright future for patriots I believe. But the entire GOP let NH fail. Granted Trump could have come out more for the both of them but he did offer his support for them. The GOP loosing is not a reflection of Trump but the establishment. And Sununu is that establishment and he let his entire state go blue.

[jaythelay]

If it's about reducing cruelty and suffering, R's oppose it. That's why they hate abortions. It doesn't matter the stories, doesn't matter the medical reason, doesn't matter anything, if you suffer, that's a victory. The "child" has always been secondary to causing suffering and cruelty.

The simplest perspective for a complex issue will always be boiled down to ignoring the wrongs of the world to justify one right. 10 cuts for a slice of bread is seen as neccessary. Drowning almost to death for an ounce of joy is their perspective. Work every waking moment for 10 years of retirement if you're a boomer and only them.

Cruelty and suffering is the point. It's why they cut free food programs in schools and want raped children to give birth. Because no matter the suffering another goes through, as long as you don't "break their morals" you're allowed to be ignored by their vitriol. This is why they sent death threats to raped children getting abortions. They didn't have the special excuse R's do.

You're not allowed to simply live and choose. You're allowed to live in a thick box until you're rich enough to pay your way out. Only then does nothing matter to these people other than you parrot their beliefs. You can have abortions, do drag, rape women and children, ao long as you hate the right people and tell people to hate those, to make their lives worse, that is when you're accepted no matter what you do.

So when it comes to abortions, only their abortion is moral, because they've been suffering far more than anyone else in the same situation. Only they suffer, and everyone else hasn't gotten their turn.

So of course, of course when infant and maternal mortality climbs 12%, of course when stories of women dying due to doctor's being too scared to even touch them due to these laws, of course dumpster babies went up in occurences, it's simply that they deserved it, because they didn't have the right excuse to avoid it.

Life is very, very simple in such people's minds, and yet, they're always so bewildering confused and angry, because they never once popped that reality bubble and dealt with any real shit.

Ya'll seen Serious Flanders? Okay the main premise, was what if the only reason Flander's was the way he was, is because he had never faced true evil, never had to make a choice where none good existed. That, is republicans. They never dealt with real shit outside of a family death, never came to conclusions that real shit happened to them so repress it into worse emotional health, because they can't rationalize why they deserve it.

It's why they flip flop on certain politics when it finally happens to them. Only when they find out there is no excuse to give for such a situation, do they pull their head out of their ass.

These people will never be in such situations, and yet the second another is put into it, all these cretins can think is "They deserve it" because in their infantile mind, parenting is easy, taking care of a kid is easy, suffering is universal and should be aimed for.

Because without struggling to your breaking point, they're alone. Alone in being confused and scared, and to them, their own decision to live like this, is suffering. To choose to suffer in their eyes is as close to godliness as it gets. No religion supersedes working 80 hours without overtime pay, because that's "hustle" or whatever. It's manly and cool to suffer through diseases that end up killing you, because you weren't cool enough to survive but were to not get help.

You had no excuse for just them and thus you must suffer. Until it's their turn, that's when they let people know, nothing they believe is real even in their minds. It's only real for other people. Because again, only they suffer the kind of suffering that allows abortion, that allows them to hide in closets, that allow them to rape and murder.

Only they have the excuses to bypass their own morals. You however, are not allowed those excuses. Because the fear they gave themselves is tantamount to being put on the cross, you were "just raped" and they'll never experience that, so therefore, it's your fault and life-long punishment must come for you and your unwanted child.

Because the unspoken fact is this: R's want kids in adoption or horrific living conditions. They do! Try and argue against that, it's impossible. R's do not believe in helping families form. They only believe in men taking what they want. So of course, when you say "What about rape exceptions?" Their response is to blame the victim, why? Because the rapist deserves the family.

It's about cruelty and who spreads it. A rapist helps their plans exponentially.

Because Suffering. Is. The Point.

Cruelty. Is. The. Objective.

Their entire philosophy is a revolving door of allowances. This is why RvW worked so well. It didn't let these special snowflakes without an ounce of credibility, control of such complex topics. If they truly were anti-abortion, they'd have a medical reason by now. They don't, because all they can think of is their morals were broken by another, and they must suffer in any way conceivable, even if it means punishing the child. Suffering is the point.

The part that gets me is yes, suffering and trauma build character, but perhaps the government shouldn't be inflicting or controlling that in any tangible way? Maybr you should not aid in inflicting such? Perhaps living can just be living and the amount of suffering should be reduced? Nah. They got a headcannon that God is gonna squish them or some shit. So we gotta play along with the Larp I guess.

Regardless. The main point is this: The child has never been apart of it. Anti-Abortionists are entirely about punishment, their idea of punishing raped people with a child goes to show, they think of families, of parenting, of children itself, as a punishment.

That's how R's want families to be made. Punishment. No wonder we're declining in births, who wants to be punished after their 4th economic collapse? Not R's, but they do believe strangers should be punished. Because that's how they live. If you don't choose to suffer, you failed in their minds. And that is the real reason they oppose abortion. It's the choice to stop suffering then and there from developing.

It's also why they opposed lockdowns and wearing masks. Suffering is for other people, and they are not other people. It must be a hoax! The numbers must be fake! Masks don't work! And yet mostly R's died from Covid. Wanna know why? Because they chose to suffer. And they're mad as hell anyone took precautions to reduce suffering. "Immunocomprised-whatsit? Sounds like Bitch talk to me, they deserve it."

[milimartel]

Real Republicans?

The vast majority of Americans hate the idea of having their rights taken away. While much of MAGA is continuing to go after abortion, birth control, and even IVF, it’s pretty clear that a few "thinking people" in MAGA land are waking up. It’s not a total flip-flop, but here and there, a few Republicans are trying to distance themselves from positions we all know they will be in lockstep supporting Trump. It’s like they don’t want to get smoked in November…Losing Real Republicans. 🤣

[actualrealnews]

A Republican revolt over Trump's abortion flip-flop threatens to blow up the GOP convention

source: Salon

tldr: Repugnicans want a national, federal ban and Trump wants the states to handle the issue. I'm amazed Trump knows the difference between a state and federal law (most pedos understand age of consent laws vary by state, so I guess he's clear vis a` vis that concept).

The reason this is coming up now is that since Project 2024 has started entering the zeitgeist last week, Reps want to write a platform (they haven't had a platform until now - ie, no plan for the next presidency -- and didn't have one during Trump's 2016 campaign or presidency) so they can take back the narrative and sand down some of the less popular parts of Project 2025.

Expect more Republican spin and minimizing and "it was just a joke"-type language re: the Project 2025 agenda.

[tomorrowusa]

Don't let word salads by J.D. Vance or flip flops by Trump muddy the waters about reproductive freedom.

Donald Trump appointed, and the then GOP Senate confirmed, the three US Supreme Court justices who made the overturning of Roe v. Wade possible.

Donald promised the fundamentalists that he would kill abortion in the US and he actually kept his word on that.

Voting in a voter initiative to protect abortion in your state but then also voting for Republican candidates is truly incomprehensible. Do you really expect Donald Trump or the GOP Florida legislature to enforce laws which protect reproductive freedom?

Trump has bragged about killing Roe v. Wade.

If you really want government out of your bedroom and out of your doctor's office, vote Democratic and urge friends to vote Democratic as well.

BTW, it doesn't matter what Melania has to say about this. She never appointed a SCOTUS justice and she has little to no influence on Donald's politics. They probably haven't even slept together in years.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Dean Obeidallah at The Dean's Report:

No, Donald Trump is not “flip-flopping” on abortion as some corporate media headlines are claiming. But the silver lining to this debate is that it elevates the issue of reproductive freedom to the forefront in the closing months of the campaign—reminding people Trump was “honored” to “kill” Roe v. Wade and that his abortion bans are literally killing women. What sparked the headlines about Trump’s so-called “flip-flop” on abortion was when Trump first stated last week that he opposed the GOP enacted six week abortion ban in Florida. Trump told Fox News this six-week ban was a “mistake,” adding, "I think six weeks, you need more time.” However, after the pro-forced birth activists and Christian nationalists expressed outrage, Trump reversed course, saying he would vote no on the proposed Florida ballot measure that would repeal the state's six-week abortion ban.

Trump did not “evolve” on the issue of reproductive freedom. In reality, he has no core beliefs other than racism and sexism. The convicted felon simply sees the same polls and election results we have when it comes to abortion. Trump gets that a recent Gallup poll found only 12% of Americans support the GOP’s total abortion bans—while 85% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or certain circumstances.  Add to that, a recent CNN poll found nearly two thirds of Americans oppose the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Trump simply wanted to appear more reasonable on abortion given new polls show Americans overwhelmingly trust VP Harris to handle the issue of reproductive freedom--which has contributed to a record gender gap.  This explains Trump’s latest proposal regarding in vitro fertilization (IVF) that he claims will force insurance companies to pay for the costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF.) I’m sure we will see this “amazing” IVF plan the same time we see Trump’s “great” healthcare plan that he repeatedly promised since 2015 he would be unveiling in “two weeks.” Never happened.

Trump’s new IVF is not even original--he stole it from the Democrats. In June, Senate Democrats proposed legislation known as the Right to IVF Act that would have both enshrined into federal law a right for individuals to receive IVF treatment and would’ve mandated coverage for fertility treatments under health insurance plans. In other words, what Trump says he now wants to do. However, that legislation was blocked by all but two Senate Republicans included Trump’s own running mate, JD Vance.

What Trump and the GOP don’t get—or care to grasp—is that stripping women of a 50-year constitutional right to reproductive freedom is not a political issue, it’s personal. In fact, nothing is more personal than Republican laws that force women against their will to carry a fetus to term. And that is exactly what Republicans have done in 14 states they control with their total abortion bans that in essence mean on day one of pregnancy, a women’s uterus becomes property of the GOP.  (An additional eight GOP controlled states have also implemented abortion bans still far more restrictive than under Roe v. Wade.) These abortion bans—as studies have now detailed—are literally killing women. One study found that “women in states with abortion bans are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth or soon after giving birth.” A July study found that “the highest rates of maternal mortality can be found in the Mississippi Delta, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.” These states—as well as Texas and others--all have extreme abortion bans that have resulted in preventing women from receiving an abortion to address a women’s health needs. Rather, a woman must be on the doorstep of death before doctors are permitted by law to perform an abortion to save her life.

Abortion bans are harming and killing women, point blank. These have the imprimatur of Trump-appointed justices and GOP legislators across the nation, along with Trump himself.

[petnews2day]

Bill Maher lashes GOP as 'the dog who caught the car' over abortion restrictions and slams Trump's pro-choice U-turn... as new poll shows termination crackdowns are driving women away from Republicans

New Post has been published on https://petnews2day.com/news/pet-news/dog-news/bill-maher-lashes-gop-as-the-dog-who-caught-the-car-over-abortion-restrictions-and-slams-trumps-pro-choice-u-turn-as-new-poll-shows-termination-crackdowns-are-driving-women-away-from-republicans/?utm_source=TR&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230&utm_campaign=social

Bill Maher lashes GOP as 'the dog who caught the car' over abortion restrictions and slams Trump's pro-choice U-turn... as new poll shows termination crackdowns are driving women away from Republicans

Maher hit out at Republicans as they flip flop on abortion rights amid backlash over a stringent Arizona abortion ban   He felt they are like a ‘dog that caught the car’, as they didn’t know what to do once they achieved their aim His remarks came as Trump angered supporters by coming out against a national […]

See full article at https://petnews2day.com/news/pet-news/dog-news/bill-maher-lashes-gop-as-the-dog-who-caught-the-car-over-abortion-restrictions-and-slams-trumps-pro-choice-u-turn-as-new-poll-shows-termination-crackdowns-are-driving-women-away-from-republicans/?utm_source=TR&utm_medium=Tumblr+%230&utm_campaign=social #DogNews

[newjerseyprelawland-blog]

The Uncertainty of a Woman’s Right to Choose

By Anika Ponni, Rutgers University–New Brunswick Class of 2026

January 20, 2024

In recent years, especially following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade in 2022, access to abortion has become increasingly uncertain in parts of the country. To better understand today’s political landscape in relation to abortion rights, one must examine the detrimental impact of SCOTUS’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This case essentially nullified Americans’ constitutional right to abortion.

Despite the American legal system’s antagonistic stance on this topic, the overwhelming majority of Americans believe in the importance of having safe and equitable access to abortions. According to a survey conducted by Gallup Polls, 69% of Americans believe abortion should be legal within the first three months of pregnancy. In the aftermath of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 63% of Americans agreed that overturning Roe V. Wade would be detrimental for women’s reproductive autonomy [1].

However, as political campaigns begin to ramp up in the new year, there appears to be some confusion within the Republican party. On one hand, Donald Trump—former president and potential 2024 United States Republican presidential nominee—has triumphantly claimed responsibility for overturning Roe V. Wade.

During a Fox News town hall, Trump stated: “For 54 years they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it and I'm proud to have done it” [2].

Yet, at the same time, numerous House Republicans appear to be backing away from a bill that essentially institutes a nationwide abortion ban. For context, in 2021—Michelle Steel, a California Republican—cosponsored the Life at Conception Act. The bill equates a fertilized egg to a person; therefore, granting the egg equal protections under the 14th Amendment. Ultimately, this bill aims to eliminate access to safe and legal abortions.

At the time of the Life at Conception Act’s introduction, 166 House Republicans (including Ms. Steel) signed onto the bill. Nevertheless, Democrats who controlled the House during this period, refused to bring the bill onto the floor for a vote. Additionally, Roe V. Wade was also still intact at this point in time as well. Consequently, the Life at Conception Act was merely a symbolic gesture by House Republicans to convey their opposition to abortion; since, it was an impossible measure to implement as long as Democrats controlled the House.

However, the political landscape has significantly shifted in today’s day and age. Currently, Republicans narrowly control the House and therefore can determine what bills reach the floor for a vote. Yet, in this post Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization era, an increasing number of Republicans are hesitant to sign onto the bill. For instance, Representative Michelle Steel waited more than a year to sign onto an identical bill introduced by House Republicans in 2023. Ms. Steel just signed onto the bill in early January of 2024. Additionally, almost 36 Republicans who signed the previous bill have flip–flopped and steered clear of the more recent anti-abortion measure introduced by their colleagues. In particular, many former cosponsors such as Republican Representatives David Valadao, Mike Garcia, and Nancy Mace are avoiding the bill in bids to appeal to more voters amidst close elections and so called “purple” districts. Furthermore, Republican lawmakers are also attempting to appease more female voters in hopes of maintaining their measly control within the House of Representatives as a whole [3].

Apart from the political turmoil, overturning Roe V. Wade has directly resulted in serious repercussions for women all across the country. To name just a few salient examples: Yeniifer Alvarez-Estrada Glick died from pregnancy complications that could have been avoided had she been recommended and granted an abortion. Kate Cox was forced to cross state lines in order to have an emergency abortion after her fetus was discovered to be non-viable. Similarly, a 10-year old rape survivor was also forced to flee the state in order to have an abortion as well. Another woman was compelled to travel across the country to New York in order to have an abortion after her fetus was found to have severe skull deformities. In Tennessee, nine women are collectively suing the state for an abortion ban that jeopardized their lives, along with women across the state as a whole [4].

______________________________________________________________

Anika Ponni is currently a student at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, pursuing a finance degree in the Honors Program. She hopes to attend law school upon graduation.

______________________________________________________________

[1] Saad, L. (2023, June 14). Broader Support for Abortion Rights Continues Post-Dobbs. Gallup.com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/506759/broader-support-abortion-rights-continues-post-dobbs.aspx

[2] Ibssa, L., & Kim, S. R. (2024, January 10). Trump boasts of role ending Roe v. Wade, says abortion bans must have “concessions.” ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-boasts-role-ending-roe-wade-abortion-regulations/story?id=106280890

[3] Karni, A. (2024, January 12). With Roe Gone, Some House Republicans Back Away From National Abortion Ban. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/12/us/politics/house-republicans-abortion-ban.html

[4] Bassett, L. (2024, January 12). Republicans Need to Answer for Women’s Suffering. The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/2024/01/republicans-must-answer-for-suffering-under-abortion-bans.html

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

December 12, 2023

TOP 10 LITMUS TESTS FOR REPUBLICANS

10. Guns — Be sure to declare the 2nd Amendment is sacred.

9. Abortion — Always say we're protecting pre-born people (never say zygote).

8. Gay marriage — Keep repeating, God said marriage is between a man and a woman. (Extra-marital affairs don't count, especially oral sex.)

7. Donald Trump — Focus on his leadership skills, such as insults and bullying. And emphasize his business acumen, feign ignorance about his fraud trial and sex assault.

6. Biden didn't win — You must say Trump won or you're toast. Say this: There were voting irregularities and there's plenty of proof.

5. All Muslims are terrorists — Play to white fears. Remember, Santa and Jesus are white. Maybe the workforce is a bit thin, but do you want your daughter to marry a terrorist.

4. Climate Change is B.S. — Another liberal ploy to sell electric cars and deadly windmills that kill whales. Your shares of Shell Oil could go in the dumper, do you want that.

3. Dictatorships aren't that bad — And look, it just for the one day. Don't listen to Steve Bannon, Trump is not following the play book of Benito Mussolini — well, not exactly.

2. Taxing the rich — Just say redistribution of wealth is a communist, welfare ploy. The rich are job creators and everyone wants a job except Democrats.

Taylor Swift — The libs are weaponizing mega-star Taylor Swift. She's on the cover of Time magazine, dances around in those sparkly, sequined swimsuits and she tells her fans to vote. How bad can it get.

WHEN DID YOU STOP SUPPORTING TERRORISTS

The House Committee of Inquisition convened in a special session to determine if student terrorists were spreading propaganda regarding the presence of Popsicles on elite campuses where leftists have made life sticky for normal white people. With brutal questioning, Rep. Elise Stephanic, R-N.Y., demanded to know whether “Fat Albert” Saturday morning cartoons violated school policies. “It all depends,” answered Dean Nomee Nadda of Who Dat University. Stephanik warned the dean that she was under oath. Universities should be forums for free inquiry, Nadda replied, except when they're not. That's a yes or no question, Stephanic snapped, and I don't like your attitude. We're trying to score political points up here, she said, and we don't want actual answers. The Who Dat dean offered a clarification: Popsicles are protected by the Constitution. Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, jumped in wondering aloud why elite universities teach Critical Race Theory and if it along with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were linked to rising levels of anti-Popsicleism. Well congressman, Nadda said, I just want to convey whatever I need to say about Popsicles so I won't get fired for defending free speech.

7 WAYS TO LIVE BETTER THIS WINTER

Alright Wilson, The Washington Post has thrown down the gauntlet with its feature, “7 Ways to Live Healthier This Winter.” For example, number four on their list is “Groom the Dog,” because they bring in dust and mites. Mites! Yikes! Number seven is “Upgrade Your Footwear,” which is a no-brainer, but some folks don't have much between their ears, let alone their toes. Not to be outdone, the staff here at Smart Bomb put together our list for a better winter. 1 – Stock up at the liquor store. This saves trips on dangerous icy roads where Utah drivers could slide into you. 2 – Join AAA because your battery is gonna die at least half a dozen times and you don't have jumper cables. 3 – Buy jumper cables. 4 – Get electric socks. Eliminate this step if you are one of those people who wear flip-flops all winter — in which case, call your therapist. 5 – Keep a plastic urinal under the driver's seat for when Foothill Blvd. turns into a parking lot on snowy days at rush hour or when you're just not going to make it home in time from Happy Hour. 6 – Do not get wasted in the hot tub, it could lead to drowning. Ignore this if you want to get rid of a significant other. 7 – And to guarantee a winter wonderland, sign up for the new illustrated Kama Sutra newsletter for a more... spiritual season.

Post script — That's going to do it for another super-duper week here at Smart Bomb where we keep track of free speech so you don't have to. In the now famous words of Rep. Elise Stephanic, R-New York, to former University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, who resigned under pressure, Why haven't you stopped students from calling for the genocide of Jews? Meanwhile, Elon Musk restored the account of Alex Jones to X (Twitter). The radio host conspiracy theorist has said many times that the murders of 20 six- and seven-year-olds and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary was a hoax. During his four years as president, The Washington Post catalogued more than 38,000 of Trump's false and misleading statements. Trump has targeted Muslims, Mexicans, Syrian refugees, Africans, congresswomen of color and Black athletes, among others. Recently, Trump called for the execution of Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During all this the only thing coming from Ms. Stephanic was the sound of her lips smacking Trump's rosy-red German ass.

Speaking of winter, Wilson (clever segue), it's going to be cold and snowy, but if folks focus on Smart Bomb's “7 Ways to Live Better This Winter” it will be much more enjoyable. So we know you and the guys in the band have something that's going to put us in the mood — so hit it, Wilson:

And when God gave out rhythm He sure was good to you You can add, subtract, multiply and divide By two I know today's your birthday And I did not buy no rose But I wrote this song instead and I call it "Popsicle Toes" Popsicle toes Popsicle toes are always froze Popsicle toes You're so brave to expose all those popsicle toes You must have been Miss Pennsylvania With all this pulchritude How come you always load your Pentax When I'm in the nude? You got the nicest North America This sailor ever saw I'd like to feel your warm Brazil And touch your Panama But your Tierra del Fuegos Are nearly always froze We gotta see saw Until we unthaw those Popsicle toes Popsicle toes Popsicle toes are always froze Popsicle toes You're so brave to expose all those popsicle toes

(Popsicle Toes — Michael Franks)