Americans are fed up with the Obama administration and ready for a new direction that defends the right of the unborn and traditional marraige: at least, that’s how pro-life and pro-family activists nationwide are explaining Tuesday’s election results that saw Republicans increase their majority in the House and reclaim control of the Senate.
In particular, pro-life activists saw a clear rejection of the Democrats’ “war on women” narrative, which tried to paint pro-life candidates as extremists bent on taking away women’s sexual freedoms.
“Planned Parenthood, Lena Dunham, NARAL, and all the other so-called women's-rights advocates are left stunned today that their message of abortion-on-demand and without apology and free birth control didn't work,” wrote Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, in a blog post. “Of course it didn't work: It was insulting and out-of-touch with what moms, businesswomen, and college students care about.
“What about the economy, jobs, health care? Our country is failing women in those areas and all Planned Parenthood wants to do is promote an actress who relates voting to a sexual experience.”
In almost every statewide race where the Democrat candidate focused heavily on what the Denver Post called the “gynecological” issues, the Republican emerged victorious. That includes in Colorado, where Democratic Senatorial candidate Mark Udall was defeated after earning the nickname “Mark Uterus” for his single-minded obsession with abortion, and in Texas, where would-be Governor Wendy Davis lost in a landslide after being given the moniker “Abortion Barbie” for her infamous pink-sneakered filibuster of new abortion safety regulations.
According to Hawkins, for Democrats “it was a big mistake to trot out stories about how abortion should be less stigmatized and how a procedure that ends the life of another, defenseless human being is a social and moral good. The tide is turning and Americans, especially women, are listening to that gut reaction they have when faced with a heavy-handed message of abortion-on-demand.”
Added Hawkins, “No amount of pretty pink running shoes or T-shirts designed by Hollywood actresses are going to cover up the fact that abortion harms women and takes the life of an innocent preborn child.”
SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser agreed that the Democrats’ focus on abortion support was a major misstep.
“Tonight’s overwhelming victory for pro-life candidates signals the fact that the bottom has fallen out of the abortion-centered ‘war on women’ strategy,” Dannenfelser said. “We are encouraged with the new pro-life Senate and look forward to a vote on our top legislative priority, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. This compassionate, popular legislation will protect the lives of more than 18,000 unborn children per year.”
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Dannenfelser noted that Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who won his re-election, previously pledged that if Republicans retook the Senate, he would advance a vote on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The Act has already passed the House, but has so far been stalled in the Senate by Democratic leaders, who want to avoid being forced to vote against the popular legislation by their pro-abortion backers.
Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council told the Christian Post that last night’s results should light a fire under the incoming Senate leadership to make sure they take swift action on pro-life issues.
“I think what you saw [on election night] are candidates who embrace the values, the values voters embrace them,” Perkins said. “I think this was a clear referendum on Barack Obama and his liberal policies, and I think that is going to come with a mandate to the Republicans that they address these issues and address them quickly.”
“What we have been hearing up to this point is that Harry Reid is blocking this reform,” Perkins added. “That won't be a legitimate excuse anymore, as the Republicans control both the House and the Senate. They will have to fulfill some of these promises that have been made to turn this country around and undo what this president has done.”
While Republicans lack the votes to override a presidential veto of any major pro-life legislation, Dannenfelser says just having a vote on the popular Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and forcing President Obama to veto it is politically worthwhile.
“When that occurs we will have a majority pro-life Senate that will vote for that bill and that means that we will see a potential veto by this president, and the Senate will be very important in defining the next presidential race,” Dannenfelser told the Christian Post.
Rey Flores of American Life League also emphasized the need for real action from self-proclaimed “pro-life” legislators. Until then, he urged rank-and-file activists to temper their enthusiasm.
“Sure, it’s great to see many rabid pro-abortion politicians get sent home packing with their tails between their legs, but this is just politics,” Flores wrote in a blog post Wednesday morning. “These newly elected politicians have a very important responsibility now to adhere to their campaign promises and deliver some actual pro-life wins.”
“I am not trying to rain on anyone’s parade today, but this is only one step in the right direction,” Flores wrote. “A builder doesn’t start celebrating after he’s laid down the first brick. He waits to celebrate the fruits of his labor after the entire building has been constructed.”
“Now we must hold [politicians’] feet to the fire, especially by educating them and all Americans that any so-called ‘pro-life’ legislation that leaves any babies under the murderous tools of the abortionist are not good enough,” wrote Flores. “Human life must never be compromised under any circumstance and we need bold leaders who will deliver ‘no exceptions’ legislation at both state and federal levels.”
Meanwhile, Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) celebrated the Republican takeover as a rejection of the ongoing progressive push for legalized same-sex “marriage.”
“Marriage won an overwhelming victory last night,” said Brown. “In red states and blue, candidates who supported marriage as the union of one man and one woman won election[s], and those who didn't were rejected by voters. The Republican Party should take note that their nominees who favored gay 'marriage' were opposed by NOM and they were resoundingly defeated.”
Added Brown, “It's time for the GOP elite and consultant class to wake up and realize that marriage is a winning issue, in red states and blue. Traditional marriage amendments have received 50 million votes across America, and candidates who embraced marriage this election won, while Republicans who rejected marriage were themselves rejected. The election results tonight were a stunning rebuke of those who wish to redefine marriage. We look forward to working with Congress to advance the cause of marriage.”