Anti-Abortion Movement Changes Tactics

Beth Reinhard: “Abortion opponents have turned to different tactics since the Supreme Court legalized most abortions half a century ago, from imposing 24-hour waiting periods to banning late-term procedures to requiring minors to get permission.”

“The anti-abortion movement’s success, however, stems in part from activists making the case that tougher clinic regulation is a mainstream cause to improve women’s safety… It’s a public relations strategy that seems to be working, even as an 11-hour fillibuster by Texas Sen. Wendy Davis has energized Democrats in her state. At a time when the Republican Party is trying to refute Democratic attacks that abortion limits constitute a ‘war on women,’ increasing regulations on clinics can be framed as a positive blow for public health.”