If you accept the right-wing analogy tying abortion to slavery, we have reached the stage of “popular sovereignty”–state regulation. That has resulted in a kind of equilibrium: red states without a referendum process have banned abortion; red states with referenda have permitted it; and blue states have strengthened abortion rights. Is upholding the status quo a viable and sustainable position for GOP candidates?
No, for two reasons. First of all, the GOP is driven by its extreme right wing, even though some reactionaries, for reasons I have explained in previous posts, are prepared to be pragmatic on this issue. Second, “popular sovereignty” is likely to run aground over the issue of extraterritoriality. It hasn’t come to the fore yet, but it will fairly soon. Then what happens?
We won’t have “bleeding Kansas,” but it sure won’t be pretty.