Just How Far Outside the Mainstream Are the Democrats?

And I'm not saying this without reason either! Planned Parenthood's annual conference was held yesterday, and the usual Democratic dog and pony show ensued. All of the candidates no doubt overflowed with enthusiasm for "choice" and a world with on-demand abortions (without widely-supported provisions such as parental notification). This of course provides plenty of space for them to say something stupid and show how much they agree with the abortion absolutists - and thus are out of step with the majority of Americans. Both Obama and Edwards (or at least his wife acting in his stead) proclaimed their support for federally-funded abortions, something that may be back this year if Congress succeeds in passing the relevant appropriations bill. Obama went the extra mile and said that kindergartners should have sex-ed class. Yowza. Never mind that sex-ed seems unnecessary at a time when kids think the opposite sex has cooties.

There's a lot to be made of all of this. First of all, it can be (and often is) argued that it is their stance on abortion that drives people of faith away from the Democratic Party; their support for abortion also makes statements of faith by the Democratic front-runners ring rather hollow to many voters. Second of all, in their absolutist approaches to abortion (bemoaning, for example, the Supreme Court's outlawing of partial birth abortions, a procedure opposed by the majority of Americans), they cater to a rather fringe element that thus succeeds in alienating many other voters. Further in bemoaning judicial restrictions on abortion - and promising to appoint justices who would do away with such restrictions - they are effectively admitting this isn't popular (because if it was, it could be passed like normal legislation). Indeed it's their support for partial-birth abortion that renders me incredulous, and I am by no means an uncompromising pro-life advocate. The procedure is barbaric, and according to doctors, alternative practices are available (but what do they know); Democrats argue otherwise.

So when November comes around and Democrats can't figure out why they lost the White House again (which I still think is the more likely outcome), they should think back to days like today. And realize that until they stop catering to their extremist base (or at least do so behind closed doors), they only alienate mainstream America.