Obama's FOCA Promise To Pro-Aborts May Spell Doom For Conservative Democrats

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

Conventional wisdom says newly-elected presidents have about one hundred days to get their act together before coming under criticism from the mainstream media (MSM).  However, most political observers predict Barack Obama will have an even greater grace period with the MSM--who loves the man.

But Obama has made some promises which may force members of Congress to put up a fight like few past presidents have seen before him this early in their administrations.  Amazingly, Obama did extremely well with Evangelicals who usually vote Republican primarily because of social issues.  For example, Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, scored heavily with social conservatives and African-Americans who were steadfastly opposed to homosexual "marriage" before the run up to the 2004 presidential election.  Many blacks simply refused to support John Kerry's liberal policies regarding homosexual "marriage".  And with a stroke of political genius, Karl Rove (Bush's political guru) used the issue to tip the scales just enough to secure a second term for Bush 43.

In contrast, Obama used the mantra of "change and hope" and "hope and change" to sway a considerable number of the electorate who usually vote Republican over to his side.  But the problem with this strategy is...sooner or later, Obama's positions on issues like illegal immigration and abortion would be revealed to a public who bought the product without knowing what was in the package.

During the Democratic primary, Obama made some promises to Hispanics regarding the issue of illegal immigration.  He also veered far to the left concerning the issue of abortion and groups like Planned Parenthood, NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) and NOW (National Organization for Women) are waiting for the payoff.  Many believe Obama has already paid part of that "bill" with his executive order that rescinded the Mexico City Policy.

With the swipe of a pen, late on a usually news-starved Friday, Obama issued his executive order, which now allows American taxpayer dollars to fund international groups which promote and perform abortions.  Obama made the move on a Friday (January 23rd), a well-tested ploy used by politicians who don't want much publicity regarding their actions.

However, rescinding the Mexico City Policy--which restricted U.S. tax dollars from going to international abortion agencies--did not escape the attention of social conservatives in both Parties, especially pro-life Democrats, who suddenly found themselves having to defend Obama's action.  Socially conservative Democrats (yes, there is such a thing) were put in a bind which they knew was coming, but they were hoping it would be later than sooner.  Yet Obama stuck his neck out even further regarding abortion and his support of FOCA (Freedom Of Choice Act).  Some might say, FOCA is the big enchilada which has the potential to put many socially conservative Democrats on the hot seat.

FOCA is a radical bill that would have an impact on health care providers, pharmacies, pharmacists and legislation which is widely popular with the American people, including laws like parental notification (for minors seeking abortions) and bans on horrific procedures, such as partial-birth abortion.

RFFM.org has learned national pro-life groups are already mobilizing to fight against FOCA.  Legislators from both sides of the political aisle are being targeted when it comes to FOCA and the strange thing about it all, Democrats may have the most to lose if there is a knock down, drag out battle over this bill.

You see, the dirty little secret is though Democratic Party leadership runs far to the left, recently the Democratic Party has made many political gains by running conservative candidates who were more conservative than the Republicans they defeated.  U.S. Senators Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA) and James Webb (D-VA) come to mind.  Democrats have also made headway in the South by beating the GOP at its own game in the U.S. House of Representatives.  When Obama tries to drop the FOCA bombshell, he will receive a great deal of resistance from his own Party.  Many believe these pro-life Dems will not fall on their political swords, no matter how many assurances the first-term President made to his pro-abortion constituency.  Some political observers believe Obama is too smart to fall into this trap.  He may put up a token effort to pass FOCA, but he may let the legislation die on the vine for his own sake and the sake of Party politics.

There is one thing that is sure to happen.  Obama's ambiguity (for some) regarding his stand on abortion will disappear.  He will no longer be able to play the issue both ways.  On the other hand, Obama may believe his political mandate is much stronger than it is and decide to fight for FOCA until the very end.  Many Republicans relish this thought.  They see a free-for-all regarding such a piece of radical legislation as a way to remove the President's up until now impenetrable cover.

There is one more scenario that can be played out.  The radical pro-aborts could back-off of Obama's promise involving the push for FOCA.  However, when abortionists smell blood, especially the blood of the innocent unborn, they most likely will go into a feeding frenzy which will not play well for Obama or his Democratic legislative brethren.  The lines are being drawn.  Both sides are gearing up for a battle to end all battles.  How Obama will play FOCA may determine whether Democrats continue to thrive or whether the tide will finally turn in favor of Republicans who have a political backbone.

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Related article:   Those Who Voted For Obama (Mexico City Policy, FOCA) Have Blood Of Unborn On Their Hands:  http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2009/01/those-who-voted-for-obama-mexico-city-policy-foca-have-blood-of-unborn-on-their-hands-.html

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Comments

[Chip]

"Legislating death"

Obama completely sold out his black sisters in the killing of millions of black babies. 1/3rd of black pregnant women abort their child. Is this just an unintended consequence?

Oh well, they wouldn't have had a black role model anyway. And now they'll have no chance on growing up to be another black president in America, just like him.

How about a line item veto?

Chip

[Charlie]

I hope this issue and others do tear their party apart. We must hope the Bole Weavel (now called Blue Dog) Democrats, will stick with their positions for their voters, on this and other issues. BO has promised many interest groups many things. The pay back is just starting. Then if the Republicans can even remember their platform, this could change the results of the next election.

[Kathryn]

I appreciate your analysis and see it the same way. However, I would make one correction. Neither Jim Webb nor Bob Casey is more conservative than were their respective opponents, George Allen and Rick Santorum, expecially on the life issue. I will agree that both of them played to the conservative Republican base, but there were other issues involved. Otherwise, thanks for a good article.