Some groups want candidates to back away from extreme positions such as strict national bans with limited exceptions.
They argue the goal of a national ban is a pipe dream at this point because there aren’t enough votes in Congress, and Republicans should focus on more moderate positions to win elections and rack up anti-abortion policies at the state level.
But others are tacking further to the right — and the result is a “circular firing squad” among advocacy groups and candidates that should be on the same page, said Patrick Brown, a fellow at the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center.
One of the nation’s leading anti-abortion organizations is Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA). The group has said that in order for any GOP presidential candidate to gain its support, they need to support a 15-week national ban at a minimum.
Yet other organizations like Students for Life argue a 15-week ban is too permissive. They are advocating at the state and federal level for six-week or “heartbeat” ban bills at a minimum.
The anti-abortion movement has faced a string of losses at the state level in the past year, as pro-abortion rights groups have succeeded in passing ballot measures enshrining abortion protection into state constitutions.
Nationally, abortion rights were also cited as a key issue for the disappointing Republican performance in the 2022 midterm elections.
GOP strategists said unless there’s a cohesive message, they worry more defeats could be coming in the future.