The reason why this is being spun as a devastating political blunder is because the White House, while it started with a better-than-even and even strategically favored position, has been staying off the field. It's like taking up position at Little Roundtop, but then falling back instead of defending. They don't have anyone in the WH who publicly feels strongly about contraceptive availability. As a result, all their statements have been milquetoast and vaccillating. Rhetorically they've put themselves in the worst possible position. It's very strange.
Yeah, they need telegenic, well-spoken women out there defending this. This is a winning issue for Obama, both based on the policy and the politics. The vast majority of this country agrees that birth control should be legal, accessible, and affordable and should be covered by health insurance plans. Ready access to birth control is what has allowed American women to leave their houses, control their own lives, and start careers. People like Kirsten Gillibrand need to be on the TV defending the decision.
The basic question that needs to be asked here is, should women have the right to decide whether or not to use contraception? Or should that be a decision that their boss makes? Only a handful of religious nuts stuck in the 19th century would choose the latter.
This issue is just ridiculously asinine to me. Should Christians not have to pay taxes for the roads and sidewalks that people drive/walk on to get to abortion clinics?! Should an employer not have to cover his employees with plans that include blood transfusions if he's a Jehovah's witness?! Why do the Catholics need this special exemption for this basic medical coverage?
