Say Anything Blog

I don’t think this is as bad as it sounds for pro-lifers.

In an interview with GQ, Michael Steele called abortion an “individual choice” and said the question should be left to the states.

Steele describes himself as pro-life and has in the past backed both state bans and a constitutional amendment against abortion. Under fire during his campaign on the question, he sat for an interview with the Washington Times, and said he “favors state regulation on abortion, and supports the Republican party’s platform that calls for a constitutional ban on abortion,” though he called himself “skeptical” on the question of amending the Constitution.

It’s unclear if Steele’s new remarks, in which he also later suggested that the choice he referred to was a state-level choice, not actually an “individual choice,” as he said in the interview, were intended to represent a change in his position.

Steele supports the overturn of Roe vs. Wade which would put the abortion issue back to the various states.  He may be personally pro-life, and he may support abortion in Maryland where he lives when he’s not touring the country on the GOP’s business, but in terms of where the abortion debate is in this country right now his position is just fine.

I think a Constitutional ban of abortion is a pipe dream at this point.  The best the pro-life movement can hope for is the overturn of Roe.  Once that happens, we can focus on fixing the problems in the various states.  Then, perhaps, a Constitutional amendment can be looked at.

But Michael Steele won’t be the head of the GOP any more when that day rolls around.  So no need getting worked up about Steele and abortion.  This sounds more like another liberal attempt to stir up in-fighting in the GOP, not unlike the singling out of Rush Limbaugh, to distract from Obama’s miserable performance as President.

Update: I guess Steele has reversed himself, which is kind of stupid.  I can respect someone taking a principled stand, but not someone flip-flopping to pander.

Steele’s previous position was alright and defensible, I think.  Steele needs to quit letting the unfriendly media jerk him around.