Free Republic
Browse · Search
GOP Club
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Did WH Push Contraception Mandate Implementation To Create Election Year Wedge Issue?
Ology ^ | February 16, 2012 | Noah Rothman

Posted on 02/16/2012 10:44:42 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Allow me to preface this deeply conspiratorial post by saying that, across the board, I do not believe in conspiracy theories. There are no conspiracy theories, only conspiracy facts. By definition, any plot to affect some outcome executed by a cabal of plotters must come to light by one of two ways – either the plot is successful and the theory become fact, or the plot fails and the theory becomes fact. Either way, there are no conspiracy theories. With all that having been said, allow me to irresponsibly advance one:

Actually, I’m merely adding onto a dog pile started by William Jacobson at Legal Insurrection; his piece asks an uncomfortable question about a January 7 Republican debate hosted by ABC News in which George Stephanopoulos asked Mitt Romney repeatedly (which was curious to all viewers at the time) about state’s hypothetical right to ban contraception methods.

(VIDEO AT LINK)

“There was no active controversy over contraception, it wasn’t in the news, and there were far more pressing political issues, yet what seemed like an eternity of debate time was devoted to the subject at the insistence of Stephanopoulos,” writes Jacobsen.

“Well what do you know, about a month later the Obama administration proposes administrative rules under Obamacare which would require free contraception be provided even by religious institutions which oppose contraception on religious grounds,” Jacobsen concludes. “It’s almost as if Stephanopoulos got the memo first. Unless, of course, you believe in coincidences.”

I, for one, absolutely do. However, as all conspiracy theorists worth their salt are wont to do, I must ask just who this move by the White House to force the implementation of this particular provision of the health care reform bill now in the midst of a heated Republican primary ahead of a difficult reelection bid. And the beneficiary is, undoubtedly, the White House.

Immediately after Rick Santorum’s victories in the February 7 caucuses (and Missouri’s nonbinding primary), I wrote that there was something fishy about the timing of this burst of social issues that galvanized social conservatives behind Santorum at a critical time in the primary.

“A December poll of Iowa’s voters, a deeply socially conservative state, showed that 9 percent of likely caucus-goers viewed “social issues” as a top issue for 2012. This lack of traction among social conservatives contributed to Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s failure to win support among Iowa’s values voters (recall the anti-gay marriage, “war on religion” spots that inspired more derision than support). The persistent recession and chronic joblessness across America simply outweighed social concerns – that is, until this past week.”

“…Social conservatives may have good reason to feel overwhelmed by this deluge of bad news. They have good reason to get up and vote, and there is one champion for those issues in this race. Santorum’s socially conservative views were an albatross not two weeks ago; social conservatives disheartened and focused on other priorities while moderates were driven away by his policy positions on cultural matters. Today, virtually overnight, the calculation has been turned on its head and they may be an asset.”

Polling has proven that Republicans have the upper hand with America’s critical “true independent” voters on economic issues but lose that advantage with independents on social wedge issues like gay marriage and abortion.

Why wouldn’t the White House and Obama’s Chicago team want to advance these wedge issues?

Of course, that’s just a conspiracy theory. And I don’t believe in those. The White House must just be very, very lucky.


TOPICS: Campaign News; Issues; Parties; State and Local
KEYWORDS: 2012; contraception; obama; romney

1 posted on 02/16/2012 10:44:58 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Well...do bears $h!t "dumps" in the woods. :-\

2 posted on 02/16/2012 10:49:38 AM PST by skinkinthegrass (Kill the terrorists, Protect (all) the borders, ridicule all the (remaining) Liberals :^)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

In a word . . . Yes.


3 posted on 02/16/2012 10:50:47 AM PST by YHAOS (you betcha!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Why one issue?? Get rid of ALL of Obamacare. We’ve been played!!


4 posted on 02/16/2012 10:52:31 AM PST by Sacajaweau
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet; Lazamataz

There was no coincidence. George Stephanopoulos, James Carville, Rham Emanuel, and Paul Begala have had a morning conference call every day for 20 years. If anyone thinks those four aren’t plugged into the WH agenda, they’re delusional.

Power, politics, gossip on daily call
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18011.html


5 posted on 02/16/2012 11:00:56 AM PST by BuckeyeTexan (Man is not free unless government is limited. ~Ronald Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Absolutely.

OF course, the incredibly stupid and ineffective response of the GOP is entirely off base.

The response should be to immediately demand free toothbrushes and toothpaste. One upmanship. The GOP should immediately demand government pay for free winter coats for anyone living above some arbitrary latitude or who lives in a town with so many days of so many degrees (cold) temperature. And they should call out the Dems for discriminating against men and mens’ health issues.


6 posted on 02/16/2012 11:04:46 AM PST by Attention Surplus Disorder (The only economic certainty: When it all blows up, Krugman will say we didn't spend enough.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

It’s called political warfare.

Forcing your enemies to accept or even FUND what they oppose.

NPR, PBS, ACORN, Planned Parenthood, Pornographic “art”.. etc etc

None of this is constitutional, yet who is going to stop them??

We have been at war for decades and we haven’t even started fighting back properly.


7 posted on 02/16/2012 11:20:09 AM PST by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
That is exactly what he did, and it is working better than he planned. Focus the election on social issues, abortion, gay marriage, birth control medical coverage, etc., and Democrats win every time, and Obama sneaks in office for another 4. The issues that will get Republicans elected, are not being discussed - The economy, Mexican drug cartels, Obama’s endless list of broken promises, middle east tension, etc
8 posted on 02/16/2012 11:52:30 AM PST by NavyCanDo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Obama might be hoping to accomplish many goals.

One goal, I think, is to help his pals at Planned Parenthood.

Even if Catholic institutions aren't forced to cover contraception, the mandated insurance payments via other employers' insurance will certainly outstrip the current "sliding scale" payments that PP gets from clients.

Q: How many extra millions will PP make?

9 posted on 02/17/2012 1:30:01 PM PST by syriacus (Contraception mandate will enrich Planned Parenthood.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
GOP Club
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson