A Note on the Presidential Race
It's important for journalists to describe political elections as they are, not as they want them to be
(Photo courtesy Library of Congress)
I’ve seen some problematic framings and paradigms in the coverage of the presidential race between Donald Trump and Biden.
For instance, journalists have presented the political dynamic as if Democrats conceded Florida and Ohio to Republicans without insisting they were swing states. So, abortion politics will “put it back in play” when it has always been in play. Florida has been competitive electorally for a long time and was at the center of the race that pitted Al Gore and George W. Bush against each other. In no way is it solidly in the Republican camp.
Ohio is also a state that can go Democratic with the right candidate. It did for Barack Obama. Joe Biden isn’t the strongest candidate the Democrats have put forth–at least not like Bill Clinton or Obama were. Generally speaking, Democrats must return to nominating young and vibrant candidates and pass the torch to the next generation to lead. They have some strong candidates, like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, that they’ll have to mull over in four years.
Conversely, I’ve seen coverage that insists Texas is a swing state. Texas hasn’t voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976. It hasn’t elected a Democratic governor since Ann Richards in the 1990s. It’s consistently passed antiabortion legislation before and after Dobbs. It’s staunchly against gun control. It’s staunchly Republican.
Yes, the Hispanic vote is growing there. Still, there is some conservatism among that community, and its sensibilities about immigration have changed as many immigrants now hail from countries overseas. So, to assume it will go Democratic is faulty reasoning.
Georgia is a state trending Democratic as black people migrate to the greater Atlanta area, as they have been for more than a decade now. As that trend continues, it may become a state that tilts Democratic but remains competitive.
Arizona has become more competitive, going from a rock-ribbed Republican stronghold that was once the home of Barry Goldwater to a state with elected Democratic senators and a governor. Focusing on water and other local concerns will be vital to building the party there. Permitting moderate views in the Democratic party would also help instead of insisting on purity and polarization.
With all this in mind, it’s essential to realize that even in Republican strongholds, it’s possible to build a viable and robust abortion rights movement. Many Republicans hold those views and are open to supporting abortion access in ballot initiatives and state amendments designed to protect it. It’s also important to recognize that there is a contingent within the Democratic Party, though small, that is antiabortion. We need and should welcome support from both Republicans and Democrats.
In focusing on Donald Trump’s candidacy, the point of criticism for him wouldn’t be his desire to leave abortion regulation to the states but rather what he intends to do about medication abortion, which now accounts for the majority of abortions in the country. It’s impossible to ignore that the federal government, through its regulatory agencies, will affect aspects of abortion care. Inadequate funding for obstetrical care and the corresponding increase in maternal mortality would also be fair to point out.