It’s hard to believe that an experienced democrat politician did not realize that abortion is the cornerstone of the democrat party. This sounds like it’s just a strategic move to try and bleed off a few conservative votes.
I would say she is an old school Democrat (she is 77) and still in denial about what her party is. As I said, I see her kind in my own family. The Democrats mistake is that they have made abortion a cornerstone and refuse to make any accommodation to pro-life views. This does cost them votes, especially in places like St Louis where there a large number of progressive minded Catholics.