President Joe Biden probably thought he did a good job at a Wednesday night fundraiser—he used the word abortion in a speech, which is, incredibly enough, a notable occurrence for the presidential candidate whose party should be running on abortion access. Here’s what he said: “I’m a practicing Catholic. I don’t want abortion on demand, but I thought Roe v. Wade was right.”
I bet he thinks this was an improvement because, as far as Joe Biden goes, this is about as close as he gets to saying reproductive autonomy is a good thing. I can actually imagine him thinking, Surely saying “I don’t want abortion on demand” is better than the last time, when I said “I’m not big on abortion.”
AdvertisementIs it better? Maybe, I guess? But what I can tell you definitively is that it’s certainly not enough. Instead, it’s yet another example of Biden assuming a defensive crouch on the Democrats’ most salient 2024 issue. It’s not the first time he’s said it either: Biden also noted his disapproval of “abortion on demand” during a White House meeting on the anniversary of the Roe ruling. Whether this comment is a favored ad-lib or something his speechwriters cooked up, it needs to go, immediately.
What’s the problem with “abortion on demand”? Although the phrase was actually used by abortion advocates in the years leading up to Roe, it’s since become a right-wing talking point that is designed to make women seem flighty and careless when they seek abortions. And if we have learned anything in the year-plus since Roe v. Wade was overturned, it’s how wrong this perception is. Women demand abortions........