Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden[1] may have placated progressives by switching positions on taxpayer-funded abortions, but he also put his brand at risk by swerving to the left of moderate and working-class voters at the heart of his 2020 election strategy.
Conservatives and pro-life activists argue that Mr. Biden[2], the Democratic presidential primary front-runner, made a stunning tactical error by reversing his 40-year support for the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for most abortions.
“While Joe Biden[3] may be taking a political expedient position in the Democratic primary as candidates race to the left on abortion, he will pay the price in the general election,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which supports pro-life candidates.
A 2016 Harvard poll showed 58 percent of voters opposed Medicaid funding for abortion, while 36 percent supported it. Until Thursday, Mr. Biden[4] was the only top Democratic candidate who openly backed the Hyde Amendment.
“Joe Biden[5] is supposed to be the one candidate who can win back working class Democrats who backed Trump[6],” Ms. Dannenfelser said in a statement. “This will prove to be a fatal move should he be the nominee.”
.@JoeBiden’s flip on the Hyde Amendment will prove to be a fatal move should he be the nominee says @marjoriesba https://t.co/TTyjT4rK4p[7][8][9]
— Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) June 7, 2019[10]
A day after his campaign reaffirmed his Hyde Amendment support,
Mr. Biden[11] announced Thursday he had changed his mind at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Atlanta.“For many years as a U.S. senator, I’ve supported the Hyde Amendment. So I make no apologies in my last position and I make no apologies for what I’m about to say,”
Mr. Biden[12] said. “If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone’s zip code.”He referred to red states passing bills this year restricting abortion access, notably fetal-heartbeat bills, which ban most abortions after about six weeks. None of the laws have taken effect and all are expected to be locked in court battles for years.
Mr. Biden[13]’s stance on federal abortion funding is now essentially the same as the other top Democratic presidential contenders, boosting his primary chances on the left while weakening his claim to the moderate middle, a move that could come backfire if he wins the nomination.“There are many Democrats — setting aside the pro-life Democrats — there are moderately pro-choice Democrats who Biden I think was right there with...