How Democrats can defend against Republicans’ soft-on-crime attacks
VoxDec 20, 2022
The Facts
Three weeks ahead of the midterms, US Pres. Joe Biden on Tuesday pledged that he would push Congress to codify abortion rights in federal law if Democrats control the legislature next year.
Speaking at a Democratic National Committee event in Washington, he promised that, if the Democrats expand their majority in the Senate and maintain control of the House in November's elections, the first bill he'll send to the next Congress will be legislation to reinstate the abortion protections of Roe v. Wade.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Things don't look good for the Democrats. While an increasing number of US citizens are concerned about rising inflation and the energy crisis, Biden still seems to believe that he can score points with voters by pulling the abortion card. This desperate speech, made so close to the midterms, is the final proof that Biden and his entire party are completely out of touch with reality and ignorant of the real concerns of working Americans.
Democratic narrative
It's utterly hypocritical for the Republicans to present themselves as the advocates of working families when they are the ones who primarily represent corporate interests. However, as right as Biden is to stand up for reproductive rights, the issue will probably not be decisive for the election. Democrats must not fail to credibly demonstrate that they are the party that stands for democracy and economic justice - their reelection is crucial to the security and safety of the poorest Americans.