This is about how Democrats are stupid. That's something we can probably all agree on.
When you look at demographics, who votes for Democrats? Well, it ain't richer pro-life men. It's less affluent pro-choice women.
And can you think of anything stupider than telling your base that a common medical procedure isn't part of the healthcare debate? That's pretty much what the Stupak-Pitts amendment does, singling out funding to abortion services in health insurance plans (nevermind that the 1970s-era Hyde Amendment already prevents federal funding from being used for abortion services). Rules on excluding Viagra and Cialis apparently didn't pass the profit test.
'Reproductive justice', 'women's health', 'a woman's fundamental right to choose', 'affordable health care': these are core slogans that get Democrats elected.
This is like if the GOP came into office and decided to increase taxes on the wealthy. That'd get them real far with their base.
Just a refresher, this was Obama on the campaign trail:
Chicago, IL | January 22, 2008
Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.
"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women's health. With one more vacancy on the Supreme Court, we could be looking at a majority hostile to a women's fundamental right to choose for the first time since Roe v. Wade. The next president may be asked to nominate that Supreme Court justice. That is what is at stake in this election.
"Throughout my career, I've been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
"When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.
And on ABC this week:
"I laid out a very simple principle, which is this is a health care bill, not an abortion bill," Obama said. "And we're not looking to change what is the principle that has been in place for a very long time, which is federal dollars are not used to subsidize abortions."
Saying the bill cannot change the status quo regarding the ban on federally funded abortions, the president said, "There are strong feelings on both sides" about an amendment passed Saturday and added to the legislation, "and what that tells me is that there needs to be some more work before we get to the point where we're not changing the status quo."
The comedy really just writes itself. God bless Rahm Emanuel. He probably thinks this is what constitutes 11 dimensional chess. And it's a good thing Pelosi kept impeachment off the table so there was room for this political masterstroke of genius.
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