NOTE: From time to time TMV runs a Guest Voice column by a reader or the author of another weblog. The following Guest Voice post is by Dean Reese who has a great site, Todays Democracy (we’ve added this excellent site under Center Voices on our blogroll).
By Dean Reese
The overturning of Roe vs. Wade would be a controversial turn in America’s short history. While few would disagree, there is one more point I have yet to hear voiced. A reversal could also serve as a massive turning point inAmerica’s politics.
If the Democratic party, in their infinite wisdom, wanted to be ruthless in their quest for power, they should welcome the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Radical thoughts? Not in the least. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned as a result of President Bush appointing a set of conservative Supreme Court Justices, imagine the long term impact. It may be the death toll for the Republican Party; at the very least the start of a very long illness.
There is little question that women voters hold a lot of power. With women increasingly outnumbering men, smart politicians will continue to direct the message more toward women.
Over the past two election cycles, more women have voted for Republican candidates, than ever before. In fact, in the 2004 election, a historical milestone was reached, when women were almost evenly split between republican and democrat – almost a dead heat.
A radical change in the abortion ruling, would likely fuel a change in this political balance that would out last beyond our lifetime. Moderate and the remaining Pro-Choice Republican women would exit the Republican party in droves, likely never to return. At the very least, never again voting for a pro-life candidate.
Over the course of an election cycle, this would manifest itself as a complete 180 degree swing in political power. From Republicans control of Congress and White House to Democrats in complete control.
This possibility is real, scary and startling. If you are a Democrat, it is a no-win situation, you loose one of your cornerstone issues but you win control. If you are a Republican, you strike a major blow to liberalism, but the political losses prepare a long road of reconstruction.
Pick your poison.
Joe Gandelman is a former fulltime journalist who freelanced in India, Spain, Bangladesh and Cypress writing for publications such as the Christian Science Monitor and Newsweek. He also did radio reports from Madrid for NPR’s All Things Considered. He has worked on two U.S. newspapers and quit the news biz in 1990 to go into entertainment. He also has written for The Week and several online publications, did a column for Cagle Cartoons Syndicate and has appeared on CNN.