This is in fact the only rational position for a president to adopt, given that it is the only alternate position that has a ghost of a chance of replacing Roe. EO's about abortion in the military, foreign aid, etc, are good, but mainly serve as moral statements. They probably save few lives.
Encouraging courts to throw the issue back to the States, where it belongs, is the best thing a President realistically can do for Life.
I wish GW had taken this position and held to it from the start. His argument about changing hearts is a long term recipe for healing, but it doesn't move the ball at all. The federalist option as you call it, is principled, politically viable, and based on a sound understanding of the founders' intentions.
"The federalist option as you call it, is principled, politically viable, and based on a sound understanding of the founders' intentions."
You got it. Did you happen to read Bork's Tempting of America?
Before this Border issue erupted, I felt the approach you are talking about was the key to GOP unity & victory. It still is, but the Border thing now must also be addressed.
The thing about your issue, the Right to Lifers need to get clear on the need for Strict Constructionist Supreme Court judges.
Here is part of an old post of mine on strategypage.com:
"...I have a strong feeling though, that there are a significant number of moderate Republican Senators who secretly like the idea that Specter will preserve Roe V. Wade.
To me, however, this badly misses the key point, which is the fight for strict constructionism. Because waht the Left is quite intentionally doing is outmanouvering the whole mechanism of government with the Supreme Court. It is a vast flanking movement, and from my perspective, Roe v. Wade is a smokescreen to cover that move. Because to the extent that the Left succeeds in this manouver, they have vitiated Democracy itself. And I do feel that this is the goal of the driving forces behind the Democratic Party, even though the rank and file of the party still believes in Democracy."
In addition, it would not surprise me if the Left supports Right to Lifers who want to put Supreme Court justices on the bench who will invent a "law" outlawing abortion to counteract Roe v. Wade. This was apparently McCain (the Mancurian Candidate's) position in 2000, according to an FR post I read. Theoretically, this would be "terrible" for the Left, because it would outlaw abortion. But I don't think the people really drivign the Hard Left care abput abortion nearly as much as destroying the Constitution. That would be the ultimate in 'political judo". To lose to the Right at some point and have them reinforce the idea that US Law is entirely the creation of Supreme Court judges.