. . . I'm more convinced now than I was last Sunday that this is indeed a Terri Schiavo Moment for the GOP. In fact, calling it a mere Schiavo Moment may be understating the situation because that particular debacle had little if any effect on presidential politics, or even Mid-Term election politics.
I remember this lack of effect well because I was complaining in early November 2006 that Schiavo was barely registering as an issue in the run-up to the 2006 Mid Terms, even though Howard Dean promised it would be a big issue for Democrats. But the GOP's current contraception disaster is different because it is actually unfolding during an election year.
And the timing couldn't be worse for Republicans. As Greg Sargent noted yesterday from recent polling data: "After unmarried women dropped off for Dems in 2010 and were slow to return to the Dem fold in 2011, Obama is now approaching the 70 percent he won among them in 2008." If Obama is already nearing 70% support in this group, imagine how much support he'll have from unmarried women if the GOP continues to push this issue.
That's why I don't think Republicans will continue their War on Contraception much longer. Darrell Issa got his ass handed to him yesterday, and Rick Santorum is bat-shit crazy when it comes to birth control. He is absolutely opposed to it -- period. Go here if you don't believe me. And if these views get widely circulated, I think this issue could ultimately hurt Santorum even though it is arguably helping him now.
Bottom line: The GOP picked the wrong time to push on what is clearly the weakest position that social conservatives espouse. I still can't believe they think this is a winner for them.
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