I Know This Question is Going to Open a Giant Can of Worms, However…

(Chuck Muth) – You know, you people are the best.
 
Your feedback is helping me more than you know.  So I’m going to ask your opinion on a critical issue: Abortion.
 
It’s clear, especially after last year, that Democrats are again going to laser focus on this issue in races in Nevada next year.  The issue CANNOT be ignored by Republican candidates.
 
Now, bear in mind I’m asking this question from the perspective of a “purple” district in a “purple” state.
 
If a Republican candidate is running in a solidly Republican district, they can probably take the position that life begins at conception and abortions should be banned totally – including for instances of rape, incest and the life of the mother – and still win.
 
On the other hand, if you live in a solidly Democrat district, you probably CAN’T take the position that late-term abortions are OK right up to the time of birth and win.  Even most pro-choice voters find that too extreme.
 
So the question is: At what point during a pregnancy do you set the limit?  Six weeks?  Fifteen weeks?  Twenty-six weeks?  When a heartbeat is detected?  Somewhere else?
 
Think of it like this…
 
What’s the speed limit on a given highway?  On most highways in most states it’s 55 mph.  On some in others it’s 65.  On some in others it’s 70.  And in some states on some highways out west in the “freedom” states, it’s 80.
 
There’s no one-size-fits-all.  There’s no “national” speed limit for every highway in every state.
 
Well, thanks to the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade last year, each state now can set its own limit, up to a point, on abortion.  As it should be.
 
Voters in Florida have since set the limit there at six weeks.  Voters in Nevada, long ago, set the limit at 26 weeks.  And legislators here can’t change that.  Only the voters can do so via a new ballot initiative.
 
So here’s my question to you…
 
Let’s say someone wanted to put abortion back on the ballot in Nevada next year.  Where would YOU set the “speed limit”?
 
Conception?
 
Six weeks?
 
Heartbeat?
 
Fifteen weeks?
 
Twenty-six weeks?
 
No limit?
 
Somewhere else?
 
If Republicans in Nevada – especially in “swing” legislative districts – have any hope of winning races in competitive districts, they need to find some REASONABLE position on this issue that a MAJORITY of voters in that district will be comfortable with.
 
Frankly, I’m conflicted on this. 
 
I honestly don’t know what the abortion “speed limit” should be in Nevada. 
 
NOT from a moral standpoint, but as a political issue that often can decide whether a pro-life Republican or a pro-choice Democrat wins a race in a district where R’s and D’s are closely split.
 
I know I’m opening one helluva can of worms here.  But we can’t ignore this issue.  It’s costing conservatives some races they otherwise could and should win.
 
And majorities get to lead.
 
So help me out here.  What do you think?  Shoot your thoughts to chuck@chuckmuth.com.
 
And bear in mind, I’m still back in DC attending the Leadership Institute’s “Campaign Leadership College.”  And I won’t have time to reply to everyone who sends me their opinion on this.
 
But know that I will read each and every response and use it to help me help our candidates when I get back.
 
Have I mentioned that you people are THE BEST?  You’re my sounding board.  So…thank you, thank you, thank you!
 
7 Worst Habits of Highly Unelectable People

1. Picking the wrong race
2. Picking the wrong district
3. Picking the wrong issues
4. Picking the wrong time
5. Picking the wrong consultants
6. Picking unnecessary fights with the media
7. Picking door-knocking over fundraising

Mr. Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, publisher of Nevada News & Views, and founder of CampaignDoctor.com.  You can sign up for his conservative, Nevada-focused e-newsletter at MuthsTruths.com.  His views are his own.