La. Governor a new model for Democrats?

[JEdwards]

From First Things comes this commentary on the recent re-election of John Bel Edwards as Governor of Louisiana.  The author, Prof. Charles Camosy of Fordham, is a Roman Catholic who supports the "seamless garment" approach to life issues.  He makes the point that being pro-life was a critical ingredient in Governor Edwards' re-election, and he challenges the Democrats to re-think the political value of pro-choice extremism.

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2019/11/why-john-bel-edwards-wins

[Richard Johnson]

Press release from Democrats for Life of America:

Washington, DC, November 17, 2019 -- Democrats For Life membership is encouraged and excited that John Bel Edwards won a second term as for Governor of Louisiana. The organization cited Edwards' strong record and leadership in defending and protecting life at all stages and his successful advocacy on behalf of a whole life agenda as a critical component for his victory.

"Governor John Bel Edwards has shown by example that he is a consistent and reliable whole-life advocate," said Kristen Day, executive director of DFLA. "He is a voice for the voiceless. As governor, he expanded access to healthcare, addressed obstacles to placing adoptive and foster children in loving homes, and was a leader passing criminal justice reform in Louisiana and nationally."

Bel Edwards is the only Democratic governor in the South in a state that promotes pro-life values. The Louisiana legislature has more pro-life Democrats than any other state legislature and has passed bi-partisan life-enhancing legislation.

"A pro-choice Democratic candidate wouldn't have come close and wouldn't have given the state four years of helpful policies for low-income families," said Day. "The Governor has stressed helping working families by increasing pay for teachers for the first time in years and expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income families."

In red states, the Democratic Party relies solely on candidates distancing themselves as individuals from extreme national positions. Logistically, the party needs to win some red states in order to prevail in the Electoral College, the Senate, and redistricting battles.

"If Democrats would like to win around the nation, they need to offer a more moderate position on abortion, including dropping the Hyde repeal in the platform," said Day. "They need to move away from glamorizing abortion and focus instead on enabling women to have real choices instead of supporting women being exploited by the abortion industry.

Candidates like John Bel Edwards are the future of the Party." 

[Michael Slusser]

There is no doubt in my mind that Democrats have hurt themselves by their mishandling of abortion. Whether a Democratic candidate favors or opposes the Hyde Amendment, for example, ought to be left to the candidate's conscience, with no pressure either way by the party and its platform. The Planned Parenthood/Emily's List faction may be too strong to allow that to happen.

Peace,
Michael