United States | News & Politics

In some ways, abortion remains the trickier issue for Republicans, since there's no party consensus on how to message the issue or even what the party's goals are. Should abortion be a state or federal issue; should Republicans back a total ban, near-total ban, or something slightly more moderate that anti-abortion zealots will never embrace; and should GOP candidates take it head-on or try to deflect, pointing to some other issue such as the economy or immigration? What was once a unifying throwaway applause line for Republicans has become a multi-armed predator threatening to shred GOP candidates in perpetuity—a Kraken, if you will.

It would be so poetic if this were the single topic that ultimately destroys the whole party. For years, the anti-abortion rhetoric was simply saber-rattling used as a method of gaining supporters, but now that they’ve seemingly got what they want, they’ve now got to take action and there’s no single agreement on that action. Now, the decision comes down to a voting generation that is far less keen on even starting a family in the first place, let alone follow in step with forcing a lack of options.

I’m here for all of it.