We need to flip the script on Republicans and make them explain or defend why they oppose every proven solution that reduces abortion. I've talked to tens of thousands of voters in Northern Virginia (over the past 14 years) and I don't think we can persuade many pro-gun voters, but I do think we can persuade some Independent anti-choice voters. I’ve talked with many single-issue, 2nd Amendment voters, who agree with Democrats on every other issue. I have convinced them Republicans are wrong on guns but they still say they will vote for the Republican, "just in case." These people probably have guns and are acting out of a paranoid fear that might directly affect them. They have been told and convinced Democrats want to take away their guns and too many Democrats reinforce that frame. We just can’t get through to many of these voters.
However, many single-issue, anti-choice, Independents are acting out of what they believe is compassion on an issue that they do not expect will affect them. They have been told and convinced Democrats are evil, baby killers and I believe we can break that frame and replace it with a new frame, which is also the truth. There is already a big crack in this frame, where Democrats are anti-choice in every other way and Republicans don't seem to care what happens once a baby is born. So this approach lands right in that crack and we have to hit it loud and often to break that frame. The lack of action by Republican on guns, in the face of epidemic mass shootings also helps us with these same voters. I also believe there are enough of these voters to win more elections, save our democracy, keep abortion legal, and pass common-sense gun reform.
Every time we try to explain or defend abortion, we lose support from voters, we need, to keep abortion legal and Republicans know this. We end up doing their work for them. If we could somehow get our side to stop helping Republicans convince single-issue, anti-choice, Independent voters that abortion should be illegal and instead make it clear that Republicans are dishonestly scaring people into voting for them, we can win enough elections to keep abortion legal and pass common-sense gun reform. We need to flip the script on Republicans and make them explain or defend why they oppose every proven solution that reduces abortion. When I canvass and talk to voters, this response below seems to get through to every person I talk to, who brings up abortion:
Republicans oppose every solution that reduces abortion, like free contraception and better sex education. Instead, they push abstinence-only education, which does not work and they want to make abortion illegal, which does not reduce abortions. It only makes them dangerous for poor women. If we care about life, let's focus on the solutions that work, and make sure our babies get the healthcare, food, clothing, and education they need to succeed in this world we all live in together.
If needed:
Colorado cut their abortion rate in half by making the most expensive IUD available for free. This cut their unplanned pregnancy rate by 64%, which cut their abortion rate in half. But Republicans won’t allow it nationwide. The only thing standing in the way of cutting our abortion rate in half, are Republicans. They don’t really care about abortions. They only care how they can use this hot button issue to scare people into voting for them.
Sources:
Abortion rates are highest where legally restricted
How Colorado cut their abortion rate in half
Contraception works, when it's free, abstinence, does not
Abstinence-only programs do not change sexual behavior
This will require practice and discipline to avoid explaining or defending abortion and instead always push back with “why do Republicans oppose every solution that reduces abortion?” It is also my belief that if we succeed this would also discredit other Republican messaging. Good framing is important but so is repetition, volume, and the level of confidence we project when we talk to voters. All that said, if guns do come up, this is how I respond:
Republicans are the only thing standing in the way of solutions, every other developed country has implemented, to nearly eliminate mass shootings. Republicans care more about wealthy gun makers than our children, who are slaughtered in our schools. We need common-sense gun laws to keep guns out of the hands of children and dangerous criminals and Republicans won’t allow it.
I look forward to constructive thoughts in the comments on how to best win over enough voters to win more elections, save our democracy, keep abortion legal, pass common-sense gun reform, and more. Bonus: I hope you will also watch this short video on why listening to voters is so important to win elections.