Why Tim Kaine Gives Me Hope As A Pro-Life Democrat

Last updated on: August 24, 2016 at 4:37 pm by Matthew Tyson

Why Tim Kaine Gives Me Hope As A Pro-Life Democrat 2016-08-24T16:37:18-05:00 Matthew Tyson

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So before anyone says it, I’m fully aware of the fact that Tim Kaine isn’t exactly pro-life.

Yes, he used to be. But when he made the decision to run for Senate, he switched his position to the classic “I’m personally opposed, but…” that we hear from so many moderate, Catholic Democrats. And while I don’t agree with his stance, Clinton’s decision to choose him as a running mate gives me hope as Pro-Life Democrat.

I should probably mention that when I say “Pro-Life Democrat”, I’m speaking specifically as a member and fellow of Democrats for Life of America — an organization that has a fairly positive history with Kaine (we actually supported him back when he was significantly more pro-life than he is today).

Do I think that Tim Kaine is going to pave the way for a fully pro-life Democratic Party? Of course not. But I do think he’ll go a long way in helping us achieve our goal to “open the big tent.”

Here’s why.

Right now, DFLA is in an interesting position. Bernie Sanders had a lot influence on the 2016 Democratic Platform, which led to a lot of language that lines up with our pro-life ideals: universal healthcare, higher wages, an end to the death penalty, and paid family leave.

That said, there are parts of the platform we were pretty disappointed about — specifically the talk about repealing the Hyde Amendment.

So while we’re happy to see more whole-life ideology make it onto the platform, we’re still at odds with the party over abortion — hence our diminished voice and presence.

However, the Democratic Party is suffering a bit of a numbers crisis. While we’ve managed to hold on to the White House for the last 8 years, the GOP is dominating at every other level. From the U.S. House and Senate to the governorships and state congresses, the Republicans hold the majority.

Fact is, if the Democrats want to see any of their fancy new platform come to life, they’re going to have to do more than just win the White House (especially if they’re going to insist on putting the most hated Democrat of all time in the oval office). They HAVE to start winning at the state level. And the only way to do that is to return to a 50 state strategy.

For those that don’t recall, former DNC Chair Howard Dean enacted a 50 State Strategy in 2006. By appealing to voters at every level in every state — even the red states — the Democrats were able to take the majority in both houses. Then, 2008, the strategy played a major role in Barack Obama’s historic presidential victory.

The conundrum, however, is that the Party can’t expect to execute a successful 50 State Strategy without giving the pro-life Democrats a seat at the table. Pro-choice, progressive candidates will find luck in more liberal parts of the country, but down here in the south, they don’t stand a chance. In my home state of Alabama, most of the remaining Democrats in office already lean more to the center (sans Patricia Todd. God love that woman). At the end of the day, a moderate, pro-life Democrat has a significantly better chance at winning.

Honestly, I think Clinton knows this. She knows the party is in trouble. She also knows that she’s not a progressive, which is what makes her VP pick so interesting. Progressives are surging in the party. She could have chosen Elizabeth Warren, Sherrod Brown, or even Bernie Sanders. Instead, she chose a moderate who’s soft on the pro-life movement.

Part of her decision, I’m sure, is an attempt to pull disillusioned Republican voters and fresh-faced Independents who quit the party thanks to Trump. But Clinton’s also been playing the game for a long, long time. She knows how to look ahead, she’s a strategist, and she’s well aware that 2018 is a must-win for Democrats.

All of this brings us to a very interesting impasse. The Democratic Leadership needs to win, but they can’t do it without the DFLA. The DFLA wants a seat at the table, but we won’t get it without the leadership’s blessing. Who better to facilitate that conversation than a Vice President who has a positive history with pro-life Democrats?

Only time will tell, but Tim Kaine just might be the opening we’ve been waiting for.

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