With the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case fast approaching, one GOP presidential candidate is bucking the conventional wisdom, vocally supporting a national abortion ban and arguing life is a winning issue with voters.
Former vice president Mike Pence reiterated to Politico that he will always “stand without apology for the right to life.” Whereas other candidates like Donald Trump and Nikki Haley have either remained silent on a national abortion limit or heavily qualified it, Pence has embraced a 15-week limit wholeheartedly. Whereas other hopefuls have declined to weigh in on abortion pills, a Pence-helmed group filed an amicus brief challenging FDA approval of these drugs.
“I would expect that pro-life voters around the country would … be looking for men and women willing to stand unambiguously for advancing the cause of the right to life at every level — at the state and federal level,” Pence said.
According to the former vice president, the party faces a choice on traditional values — “the conservative principles that have won not only the White House, but won majorities over the last 50 years again and again.”
Pence argued that the widespread assessment that Dobbs and pro-life activism in general hurts Republicans with voters is wrong. He attributed the muted performance in the 2022 midterms to the unsubstantiated claims of Trump and others on election fraud: “Rather, where candidates were focused on the past — focused on relitigating the past — we did not fare well.”
Pence has also explicitly criticized his former running mate for calling the heartbeat bill passed in Florida “too harsh.”
The former vice president highlighted the many Republicans who have passed early abortion limits — like Ohio governor Mike DeWine and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp — and still prevailed in their bids. “In one race after another, men and women who stood without apology for the right to life — but expressed that with compassion and principles — fared well, and I believe that will be proven out in 2024 as well,” Pence told Politico.
For Pence, a 15-week limit is “a good starting point” Republicans can deliver for pro-life Americans, explaining European countries have 12 to 15-week limits: “Right now, our law at the national level is essentially equivalent to China and Iran and North Korea.” Major pro-life groups like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America have argued they would not support a candidate who doesn’t commit to a 15-week limit at a minimum.
The former vice president’s attempt to court pro-life voters continues this weekend. He is the only candidate invited to address a nationwide Susan B. Anthony List call commemorating the end of Roe. He is also the only candidate who will speak at the Students for Life rally on the National Mall.
Pence argued that there are ways to help the electorate and especially suburban women embrace this issue. According to him, Republicans must point out how extreme Democrats are on abortion, but also focus on policies of compassion. Such policies include empathy through crisis pregnancy centers, which Pence supports greater funding for, and reforms to make adoption more affordable.
“I knew that the cause of life would have to be my cause…and we’ve never wavered,” explained Pence. “I believe it’s the calling of our times.”