Republicans are struggling to sell extremist positions on campaign trail: former GOP staffer
Former adviser to Speakers John Boehner (R-OH) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), Brendan Buck, revealed on Tuesday that Republicans are struggling to come up with a way to sell extremist views, particularly when it comes to Roe v. Wade being eliminated.
In a panel discussion, Buck revealed that Republicans have no idea what to say about abortion after spending a generation trying to bring down laws that prevent the government from regulating women's healthcare.
"I think the Republicans need to come up with a better explanation for what exactly their position is," Buck said. "That's the problem right now. It was very simple for many years. Republicans just said they wanted Roe to be gone. That was one answer to that issue, and it wasn't very real. It is much more real and complicated right now. And the reality is Republicans are still figuring out that position and they're doing it in public view. It is an ugly process. And until Republicans figure out a position and one that is politically viable, Democrats are going to keep using it against them."
He went on to say that one of the things Republicans have said for a long time is that there should be "reasonable restrictions" on abortion. But when it came time for the laws, Republicans passed laws banning it before most women know they are pregnant. Then, in March, a federal judge limited young people’s access to birth control.
Buck explained, "That doesn't look reasonable." According to Pew poll numbers, "a 61 percent majority of U.S. adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while."
He also said that the GOP is being defined by the most extremist members of the party passing unpopular laws.
"It's hard to come up with a middle ground position when states are acting like this," he said. "It is an enthusiasm issue for Democrats. They'll continue to use it until Republicans figure out why they land and find a place that works nationally."
See the full conversation below or at the link here.
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