Washington Post: “Abortion rights supporters used conservative-sounding language about government mandates and personal freedom in their pitch to voters, and made a point of reaching out to independents, Libertarians and moderate Republicans.”
Said organizer Jae Gray: “We definitely used messaging strategies that would work regardless of party affiliation. We believe every Kansan has a right to make personal health-care decisions without government overreach — that’s obviously a conservative-friendly talking point. We were not just talking to Democrats.”
Josh Barro notes that one very effective ad that ran doesn’t even mention abortion, instead it emphasizes that the proposed constitutional amendment would lead to “a strict government mandate designed to interfere with private medical decisions.”
Charlie Sykes: “Abortion rights activists did not simply appeal to their base; and they resisted the temptation to scratch their ideological id. Instead, they appealed to values that resonate across the political/cultural spectrum. They met the voters where they were; and treated centrists, conservatives, and even pro-lifers with respect. It worked.”
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