The latest evidence that Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis can't stay true to her convictions or doesn't have any (take your pick) is her position modification on abortion. Steve Ertelt at Life News relays an underlying Dallas News item, telling his readers that "Davis said she would back a 20-week abortion ban as long as it had two exceptions, to kill disabled babies and a health exception rendering any ban meaningless." Point taken, Steven but the idea that Davis would support anything described as a 20-week ban is a significant change from the position which supposedly drove her to filibuster a Texas law last year containing the ban.
Reaction from the establishment press can fairly be described as schizophrenic ("characterized by a breakdown in thinking and poor emotional responses"), and ranges from crickets to cries of "betrayal" to amazing exercises in excuse-making.
The Associated Press has chosen the "crickets" approach. Despite the fact that a Fox News story on Davis "softening her stance" says that AP contributed to its report, there was no sign at 12:15 PM ET of a related story at AP's national site or at its "Big Story" section.
A few of the Davis-related stories found in this Google News list will give readers an idea of just how schizophrenic — or is it manic depressive? — the establishment press has gone over Davis's abortion detour (bolds are mine):
CBS News (Stephanie Condon) — "Wendy Davis open to supporting 20-week abortion ban"
Wendy Davis, the likely Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Texas, told the Dallas Morning News that she could have supported her state's controversial 20-week abortion ban, had the law allowed for more exemptions. Davis gained nationwide notoriety ...Slate (Amanda Marcotte) — "Wendy Davis, Hero to the Pro-Choice Movement, Comes Out in Support of a 20-Week Abortion Ban" (the browser window title is: "A surprise, a Betrayal, a Smart Political Move")
So it comes as a surprise—and frankly, a betrayal—to learn that Davis told the Dallas Morning News on Tuesday that she could support a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, if it gave "enough deference between a woman and her doctor" to make the decision to ...Washington Post (Aaron Blake) — "Wendy Davis says she could support 20-week abortion ban"
Wendy Davis, whose filibuster against new abortion restrictions in Texas made her a liberal hero and led her to run for governor this year, says in a new interview that she could, in fact, support a law that bans abortion after 20 weeks. The Democratic state ...Headlines & Global News (Bianca Facchinel) — "Wendy Davis Clarifies Stance On 20-Week Abortion Ban In Texas"
In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Wendy Davis said she would have supported the 20-week abortion ban that she fought against last summer had it included more exemptions, CBS News reported. "My concern, even in the way the 20-week ban ...ThinkProgress (Tara Culp-Ressler) — "Why Wendy Davis' Position On 20-Week Abortion Bans Doesn't Make Any Sense"
On Tuesday, Wendy Davis attempted to clarify her position on 20-week abortion bans, one of the policies included in a controversial package of abortion restrictions that passed last summer. The state senator's dramatic filibuster against that omnibus bill ... (Later, she excuses Davis by saying "Politically, however, Davis’ stance is all too understandable. The anti-choice community has turned 20-week bans into ... a contentious political issue ..."Huffington Post (Laura Bassett) — "Davis Blurs Abortion Position, But Hangs Onto Abortion-Rights Backers"
Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis (D) muddied her stance on abortion rights this week, telling the Dallas Morning News that she could support some version of a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. But three of her biggest pro-abortion ...
Finishing Bassett's thought at HuffPo, she noted that "EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and NARAL Pro-Choice America ... did not flinch at the news."
That's probably for two reasons. The first is that they feel stuck with her at this point while gritting their teeth so loud I can hear the sound here in the Midwest. The second is that they know she really doesn't mean it, but is desperately trying to make her posture palatable in an overwhelmingly prolife state.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
