As critics of this approach — the view championed by Trump — rightly analogize, we didn’t leave slavery to the individual states because slavery was intrinsically evil, just as abortion is. Nor did
Roe v. Wade, as some portray, make abortion a state issue; the Supreme Court returned the question of the legality of abortion to the people through the legislative branches, which includes both Congress and the statehouses.
Yet, the Republican platform and the Trump-Vance ticket has abandoned any effort to advance pro-life positions, and, to the contrary, appears supportive of the unregulated destruction of human embryos through IVF.
Should pro-life voters in turn, then, abandon the party and Trump?
There are two rationales that might suggest so, the first being principle: There is no more fundamental right then the right to life, and if a politician and a party refuse to defend the most innocent and defenseless among us, they are not entitled to a dedicated pro-lifer’s vote. Second, by withholding their votes, the pro-life block may believe they can ensure future politicians do not similarly discard the right-to-life movement turning Republicans into, in essence, a pro-choice “light” party.
I appreciate the latter pragmatic point, and I respect principled pro-lifers who withhold their vote out of conscience. Neither should be condemned or ridiculed, or blamed as if they didn’t do enough post-
Roe to change the culture of the country.
But for those not compelled by conscience, please consider the ramifications: If Kamala Harris wins, Democrats will pass a federal law which, at a minimum, makes
Roe v. Wade (and not the more limited holding of
Casey), the law of the land, preempting the pro-life laws currently in place in some states. Harris will hold the power to appoint federal judges and possibly replace one to three Supreme Court justices — and that’s if Democrats don’t expand and stack the high court. Harris will hold the bully pulpit and will only further dehumanize the unborn, making it more difficult to change the hearts and minds of Americans.
Trump may not govern as a pro-life president, but Harris will most assuredly be the most pro-abortion president ever elected. With Trump in office, the status quo can be maintained until four years from now, a primary battle can demand a candidate willing to fight for the sanctity of life. While society will still not be open to laws that protect all human life, a pro-life candidate can support a federal ban on late-term abortions while working to support pregnancy resource centers and promoting life.
It took us 50 years to get to where we are and it will take decades more to move society toward a place where the populace will agree to ban most abortions. But if Harris is elected, we may never have the chance to start changing hearts, minds, and laws.