Over the past several years, Republicans have been focused on pushing an anti-abortion stance both legislatively and in public discourse. However, the efforts by the GOP to overturn Roe V. Wade have been met with resistance from the Democratic party at nearly every turn. In an effort to gain an edge over Democrats in the upcoming 2024 elections, former Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway is leading the charge to overhaul the Republican party’s abortion strategy.
In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Conway voiced her opinion that the GOP needs to “change its rhetoric,” and focus on “educating voters, crafting policies and expanding the party’s base.” She believes that the Republican party needs to make the abortion issue less of a “social litmus test,” and instead focus on the positive aspects of restricting abortion access. Specifically, Conway pushed the idea of emphasizing the importance of adoption services and the sanctity of life.
Conway also argued that if the Republican party were to frame such issues in a way that is less combative, they could successfully make inroads amongst independent voters and centrist Democrats. Rather than simply arguing against abortion altogether, Conway suggested that Republicans should focus on creating reasonable restrictions, such as limiting the late-term procedures and/or parental consent laws.
In addition to the proposed policy changes, Conway stressed the importance of emphasizing the party’s pro-life stance while avoiding inflammatory language and shifting the conversation back towards the non-confrontational aspects. Specifically, she argued that Republicans should shift to a “life-affirming message” that focuses on the well-being of women and their ability to make informed decisions about their bodies.
The Republican party has traditionally been hesitant to deviate from their hardline anti-abortion stance, so it is unclear if Conway’s proposed strategies will receive widespread support. That being said, if Republicans can implement Conway’s strategies effectively, they may be able to gain a significant advantage in the 2024 elections, and attract more independent and minority voters.