Republicans are beginning to realize that playing defense is a lot harder than playing offense. After recent success in limiting abortion access, Republicans find themselves defending a position most Americans disagree with.
On this week's episode of Snollygoster, Ohio's politics podcast from WOSU, hosts Mike Thompson and Steve Brown discuss whether a compromise might be reached.
A sustainable ban on abortion?
For nearly 50 years, Republicans and abortion rights opponents railed against Planned Parenthood and demanded Roe vs. Wade be overturned. They philosophically oppose abortion, but they also effectively used the issue to mobilize its base and win elections.
Then came the Dobbs decision. They got their wish. Abortion became largely illegal in many states and now abortion rights supporters are on the offense. They philosophically believe pregnancy decisions should be left to women and their doctors.
Now Democrats are using the issue to mobilize their base, and Republicans are on defense, working to preserve a position that a majority of voters don't support.
Polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans support legal abortion in most cases. Those majorities have only increased since the Dobbs decision. Recent elections in Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky and Montana have endorsed abortion rights.
Now some Republicans who oppose abortion are hinting at compromise. That list includes Governor Mike DeWine. He said lawmakers should clarify abortion laws to make them "more sustainable."
Snollygoster of the week
There is a feud going on between supporters of former President Trump and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg. Bragg is prosecuting Trump for concealing hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Chief among Trump's supporters is Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan chairs the House Judiciary Committee and plans to hold a hearing in New York next week. Officially it’s to discuss “Victims of Violent Crime” in Manhattan, but we predict it might also mention the Trump indictment.
Bragg this week fired back and said that if Jordan really wanted to address urban violent crime, Manhattan is not the place to go. He suggested Ohio cities, in particular Columbus.
He points out that Columbus’ murder rate is three times higher than New York City’s rate. Bragg also filed suit against Jordan claiming the congressman is trying to undermine the case against Trump.
If you have a suggestion for our "Snollygoster of the Week" award, a question or a comment, send them to snollygoster@wosu.org.