Moderate solutions to issues like Democratic Representative Tim Ryan’s bill on abortion reduction are what America asked for in 2008 but never received from President Obama.

Michele Walk, Associate Editor

Ideology: Moderate | Writing From: Bennington, Vermont

Landmark legislation on abortion was introduced into the House of Representatives in July. Sponsored by pro-life Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio, the “Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion, and Supporting Parents Act (HR 3312)” has been drafted by both pro-life and pro-choice groups and brings a much-needed moderate voice to the abortion debate. It is also exactly the sort of bipartisan spirit that America voted for in 2008 but never received.

Unlike many other bills related to abortion, HR3312 does not intend to restrict or expand the availability of abortions; rather, it includes approaches from both sides of the issue. Traditionally, pro-choice advocates have favored preventative efforts (contraception) whereas pro-life groups tend to support post-facto solutions (adoption), and Congressman Ryan’s legislation bridges the chasm between the two. HR3312 includes funding for comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention (including sex education that discusses both contraceptive methods and abstinence), improvements to maternity and postpartum care, grants for adoption programs (including a national adoption information campaign), and increased support for new parents. It is a pragmatic legislation that wisely recognizes the merits of realistic preventative measures as well as those of adoption.

Tim Ryan’s colleagues, however, have not recognized it as such. Because of his support of abortion reduction, he was forcibly removed from his position on the national advisory board for the Democrats for Life of America, a capacity in which he has served for the last four years. According to DFLA executive director Kristen Day, the Ohio Democrat’s willingness to compromise and offer moderate, pragmatic solutions to the tragedy of abortion means that “he has turned his back on the [pro-life] community.”

Such is the plight of the moderate. To the fringes of the political spectrum, “compromise” is a four-letter word reserved for politicians without “principles.” Instead of meaning “to find or follow a way between extremes; to bind by mutual agreement” as it does in the dictionary, political compromise is frequently equated to abandoning one’s principles. Moderates are often victims of such accusations. Being a moderate, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that one holds views that are in the exact center of the political compass; rather, that one understands the necessity for civil dialogue between distant ideologies and seeks to “moderate” between them. This principle – that compromise is crucial to sound public policy – is shared by moderates and often forgotten by the fringes.

In 2008, America was dissatisfied with the fringes and instead became enamored with the idea of an end to partisanship and a beginning of compromise. Though Barack Obama’s campaign featured it more prominently, the abstract idea of “change” to the manner in which politics is conducted was also present in John McCain’s campaign and the entire country seemed anxious for more moderate politics. President Obama, however, has unfortunately traded the in promised spirit of bipartisanship for divisive politics. Since coming into office, the only parties he has showed interest in bringing to the same table are Sgt. Crowley and Henry Gates – not the Democrats and the Republicans. The America people wanted bipartisanship, but they have not received any of it from the White House.

Congressman Tim Ryan’s efforts on abortion reduction, however, truly are bipartisan and are exactly what this country asked for in 2008. Ryan has showed extraordinary courage in bringing such disparate groups together and his efforts should be heralded as a model for future legislation on divisive issues. It is by bringing distant ideologies together that we find success, not through staunch subscription to ideological viewpoints.