MSNBC debate moderator Rachel Maddow on Wednesday unloaded both on the state that hosted the 2020 contenders (Georgia) and also a conservative Democratic Governor for daring to be pro-life. She repeatedly badgered Elizabeth Warren over whether there was “room” in the party for someone like Louisiana's John Bel Edwards.
But first she led an attack on debate host Georgia, worrying, “Many states, including right here where we are tonight in Georgia, have passed laws that severely limit or outright ban abortion. Right now, Roe vs. Wade protects a woman's right to abortion nationwide. But if Roe gets overturned, and abortion access disappears in some states, would you intervene as president to try to bring that access back?”
Maddow, who in January of 2019 called pro-life legislation in Missouri “horror movie disturbing,” interrogated Warren on the newly reelected, pro-life (and Democratic) Governor of Louisiana:
Just this weekend, Louisiana re-elected a Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards. He has signed one of the country's toughest laws restricting abortion. Is there room in the Democratic Party for someone like him? Someone who can win in a deep red state but who does not support abortion rights? Senator Warren.
Not getting outright condemnation of Edwards, she followed-up:
Senator Warren, I'm need to push you on this a little bit for a specific answer to the question. Governor John Bel Edwards in Louisiana is an anti-abortion governor who has signed abortion restrictions in Louisiana. Is there room for him in the Democratic Party with those politics?
This worrying about pro-life states is becoming standard in Democratic debates. In October, co-debate moderator Erin Burnett called for plans to “stop” pro-life red states: “Ohio is one of several states that has banned abortions after as early as six weeks of pregnancy. Many women don't even know they're pregnant at that time. The Ohio law is being challenged in the courts and has not yet taken effect. Senator Harris, if states prevail on restricting abortion, what's your plan to stop them?”
For more on Wednesday’s debate, including questions about impeachment and being mean to Joe Biden’s sone, go here.
A partial transcript is below:
MSNBC Democratic Debate
11/20/1910:49 PM ET
RACHEL MADDOW: Many states including right here where we are tonight in Georgia, have passed laws that severely limit or outright ban abortion. Right now, Roe vs. Wade protects a woman's right to abortion nationwide. But if Roe gets overturned and abortion access disappears in some states, would you intervene as president to try to bring that access back? Senator Klobuchar?
10:50 PM ET
MADDOW: Just this weekend, Louisiana re-elected a Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards. He has signed one of the country's toughest laws restricting abortion. Is there room in the Democratic Party for someone like him? Someone who can win in a deep red state but who does not support abortion rights? Senator Warren.
10:51 PM ET
MADDOW: Senator Warren, I'm need to push you on this a little bit for a specific answer to the question. Governor John Bel Edwards in Louisiana is an anti-abortion governor who has signed abortion restrictions in Louisiana. Is there room for him in the Democratic Party with those politics?
