The Democratic Party is a big-tent party, which I think is one of its strengths. And I’m not a big fan of one-size-fits-all litmus tests.
But Bernie Sanders’ decision to endorse and champion Omaha mayoral candidate Heath Mello, who opposes abortion rights, and question the progressive cred of Jon Ossoff, the rising (pro-choice) star running for Congress in Georgia, has provoked a big debate.
Several Sanders supporters and political journalists have lamented the apparent intolerance Democrats have for those who are “pro-life.” Of course, there are still Democratic officials across the country who oppose abortion rights. And in Michigan, Right to Life has always had great success in backing legislative Democrats who fit their endorsement criteria. But it’s true that there are fewer anti-abortion rights Democrats now. I would also note that pro-choice Republican officeholders have gone the way of the Dodo. Seriously, try to name one in Michigan.
Bob Casey the elder could or could not get a Dem gov nomination today? cc @PaulBegala https://t.co/eceVlP9wls
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) April 20, 2017
Relatively recently this was not a controversial position in the Democratic party https://t.co/IjR0C96Z3U
— Nick Riccardi (@NickRiccardi) April 21, 2017
But I think all that is largely missing the point. The heart of the anti-Donald Trump Resistance is women. And that’s why there was a visceral reaction to Sanders deciding that progressives can be anti-choice. First of all, in a big tent, no one person gets to proclaim what’s progressive and what’s not — especially someone who just reiterated again that he’s not a Democrat. Many liberals also are wondering why Sanders has drawn a line in the sand against those who support free trade or don’t talk enough about income inequality, but not against those who don’t believe women have the right to control their own bodies. Sanders has every right to define his version of progressivism in purely economic terms. But journalists and other members of the big tent can question this idea.
Bernie says "you can't exclude people who disagree with us on one issue." Except Bernie does this to others who disagree w/ him. So… https://t.co/ypLJYSYAbb
— Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) April 21, 2017
And people can — and should — ask why it is that women’s rights can be jettisoned so easily.
Abortion rights and access are not giveaways. Women's health care is not a giveaway. These things are non-negotiable, @SenSanders. https://t.co/wAfNyhrxUe
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) April 21, 2017
