Staff Reports
In a fiery debate between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Newsom once again defended the leftist position of late-term abortions, which has become a major headache for the GOP. The debate, hosted by Fox News’ Sean Hannity, saw Newsom refusing to support any legal limit on abortion, even in the final months of pregnancy. When pressed about late-term abortions, Newsom tried to paint DeSantis as extreme, accusing him of signing laws that banned exceptions for rape and incest and imposing a six-week abortion restriction in Florida.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D-CA) comments on late-term abortions during Thursday's debate with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) represent the latest problems the GOP faces around a topic that has simultaneously galvanized its base while costing the party keyhttps://t.co/LjvPAeLaPO
— Conservative News Daily (@ConservNewsDly) December 1, 2023
Conservatives were quick to fact-check Newsom’s claims, with Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, pointing out that approximately 10,000 abortions at 21 weeks or later occur annually in the United States, and more than 50,000 occur after 15 weeks when there’s evidence that unborn children feel pain. Furthermore, a 2019 Kaiser Health News report found that while abortions at or after 21 weeks were uncommon, reasons for termination included fetal anomalies, maternal life endangerment, and logistical delays in obtaining an abortion.
Despite the GOP’s continued efforts to limit late-term abortions, the issue hasn’t translated into electoral victories. In fact, November’s off-year elections saw many states, including California, passing measures to protect access to abortion or blocking attempts to restrict it. The GOP’s six-week abortion restriction in Florida, although praised by conservatives, faced criticism from former President Donald Trump, who recognized that such restrictions make it “very difficult to win elections.”
A Gallup poll released in 2022 revealed that a majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances, indicating public support for limited abortion restrictions. However, political scientist Amanda Roberti cited public disapproval of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, as part of the GOP’s challenges in winning elections on abortion.
Despite these electoral setbacks, anti-abortion groups seized on Newsom’s debate comments as further evidence of the Democratic Party’s extreme stance on abortion. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, criticized Newsom’s refusal to support any protections for babies in the womb, asserting that the Democratic Party now stands for all-trimester abortions for any reason on demand, a stance she deemed inhumane and out of step with most Americans.
Similarly, the Charlotte Lozier Institute condemned Newsom’s statements as false, highlighting that 88% of late-term abortions are for elective social and financial reasons rather than medical ones. Dr. Ingrid Skop, the institute’s vice president and director of medical affairs, emphasized the urgency of addressing late-term abortions and the need for action.
In response to the GOP’s struggles with the abortion issue, Priests for Life National Director Frank Pavone advised emphasizing compassion for mothers in difficult situations and promoting the concrete help provided by the pro-life movement through pregnancy centers nationwide. He urged Republican candidates to communicate their awareness of the needs of these mothers and families, presenting a winning message for the party.
Pavone also called on Democrats to have an “honest conversation” about abortion, insisting that if they want to make abortion an election issue, they should bring it out into the open. However, he expressed doubt that Democrats would be willing to engage in such a discussion, as it would expose their true stance on abortion, which he suggested goes against the ideals of women’s health, freedom, and reproductive rights.
The debate between Newsom and DeSantis brought the issue of late-term abortions to the forefront once again, underscoring the challenges the GOP faces in winning elections on the topic. Despite the party’s efforts, the issue hasn’t translated into electoral victories, and the Democratic Party’s extreme stance on abortion continues to face criticism from anti-abortion groups and conservatives. With the 2024 election looming, the debate over abortion is likely to remain a hot-button issue, with both parties vying for public support on the matter.
