, not abortion

Conway urges Republicans to shift their focus to birth control rather than abortion.

, not abortion Conway urges Republicans to shift their focus to birth control rather than abortion.


Kellyanne Conway plans to visit Capitol Hill on Wednesday to deliver a warning to Republicans: advocating for contraception is crucial for avoiding defeat in the 2024 election.

The ex-senior advisor and leader of President Donald Trump’s campaign will join a team to inform Republicans on how to address accusations from Democrats that the GOP is against women by focusing on promoting access to contraception instead of advocating for abortion bans.

Republican candidates for president and Congress have been facing difficulty in creating a strong and effective message regarding the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The visit is timely in light of this challenge.

President Trump has personally held anti-abortion groups and their strict legislation accountable for the Republican Party’s losses in the 2022 and 2023 elections. Additionally, many influential conservatives have urged Republicans to prioritize topics like birth control and maternal health in the aftermath of the Roe v. Wade decision in order to improve the party’s reputation regarding women’s health. Democrats have successfully used this issue to gain multiple victories in elections.

Conway, lobbyist Susan Hirschmann, and CEO Heather Higgins of Independent Women’s Voice are aiming to support their calls with new polling data. On Wednesday, they intend to meet with Republican members and staff in both the House and Senate, as well as with the party’s campaign arms trying to maintain control of the House and gain control of the Senate. Their message is a warning that failing to address birth control accessibility could result in losing voters and reinforcing the left’s claims that the party, which has already banned abortion in many areas, will also target contraception next.

Taking significant steps towards contraception could potentially benefit Republicans in gaining support from their own party and from dissatisfied Democrats who oppose President Joe Biden.

In an interview, Conway stated that many Democrats are expressing a desire for a different option than Biden and Harris, or they may choose not to vote at all. This is particularly evident among young voters who, despite being in their prime years, are not intrigued by discussions about contraception and making decisions about having children.

The group will share polling commissioned by Independent Women’s Voice and conducted by KA Consulting, Conway’s firm, that shows overwhelming public support — including from Republicans and people who identify as “pro-life” — for policies that make contraception cheaper and more available, including implantable long-acting versions like IUDs that some conservatives view as akin to abortion.

The main idea is for Republicans to focus on their beliefs rather than their opposition.

In an interview, Higgins compared Republicans to a well-meaning uncle who cares deeply for his family, but struggles to express it. She explained that discussing certain issues may not come naturally to them and that efforts are being made to encourage them to communicate more openly about topics that their constituents strongly endorse.

The individuals who are informing the group about the survey are not employed by any presidential campaign. According to a source familiar with both Kellyanne Conway and the campaign, Conway, a Fox News contributor, maintains a cordial relationship with Trump but does not have an official position in his bid for the White House.

The veteran Republican pollster informed POLITICO that it’s not surprising that contraception is favored, especially as states attempt to ban most abortions. However, she was surprised by a few of the poll findings, such as the number of conservatives who believe Congress should guarantee access to contraception regardless of cost.

“I have been involved in this for more than 30 years and I find it quite shocking that more than 80% of independents and more than 80% of pro-lifers would concur,” she stated. “Many argue that while individuals may have the right to access contraception, it is not fair for others to bear the financial burden. This is a common libertarian viewpoint.”

Conway plans to tell Capitol Hill Republicans that they “will lose precious political currency and votes” if they do nothing or take steps to put contraception further out of reach — pointing to the poll’s finding that nearly half of conservative women “would consider voting for a candidate from a different political party” if Republicans back birth control restrictions.

However, those with progressive views who are getting ready for upcoming challenges in 2024 to maintain control of the Senate and White House are doubtful that Republicans can successfully position themselves as advocates for birth control in the upcoming year.

Sara Spain, the representative for EMILYS List, an organization that financially supports and trains candidates who advocate for reproductive rights, stated that the proposed rebranding will not be effective. She believes that voters are more influenced by actions rather than words, and are aware of which politicians align with the beliefs of the majority of Americans. Therefore, attempts to change their image will not have a significant impact, as their history has shown their willingness to restrict access to abortion and contraception.

Groups such as EMILYS List aim to ensure that this achievement remains a top priority for voters in the upcoming year.

Next year, the House Republicans’ proposed spending bills aim to cut funds for the Title X family planning program and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. These programs offer affordable contraception to millions of individuals who may not have access otherwise. Additionally, the Senate Republicans rejected the Right to Contraception Act, which would have made contraception a federally protected right, during the previous summer.

The Democratic party has brought attention to Justice Clarence Thomas’ statement urging the Supreme Court to review the longstanding federal ruling that guarantees access to contraception. Additionally, conservative organizations aligned with the Republican party, such as Turning Point USA, have encouraged women to discontinue their use of birth control pills, alleging that they can cause abortions.

Higgins desires for the survey to persuade Republican lawmakers that these actions do not align with the opinions of their constituents and only benefit the Democrats.

She stated that if any conservative individuals believe that this is the true desire of the pro-life community, it could potentially help them understand that even those who strongly support pro-life values also support the availability of safe, modern, and effective contraception for all.

From October 21st to 27th, a survey was conducted through the internet. It included 1,000 registered, likely voters, with an additional focus on women (total of 660). The margin of error for the survey was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Meridith McGraw made a contribution to this report.

Source: politico.com