Mike Rogers on Abortion: Democrats Distort His Remarks

This mini-controversy started with a lie. The Michigan Democratic Party publicized a clip from a radio interview did with a conservative evangelical host. The party said that Mike Rogers had “confirmed in a new interview that he would vote for a national abortion ban.” made the same claim. Rogers didn’t say that. He said that he’s pro-life.

There are any number of grounds on which a pro-lifer might oppose a national ban on abortion. One might think such a national ban on abortion would, for the foreseeable future, get too far ahead of public opinion to be wise or sustainable. (I think this is correct.) One might think that the Constitution leaves abortion policy to be set by the states. I think this view is incorrect, but it is certainly one that some sincere pro-lifers hold.

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Featured Tags

This mini-controversy started with a lie. The Michigan Democratic Party publicized a clip from a radio interview did with a conservative evangelical host. The party said that Mike Rogers had “confirmed in a new interview that he would vote for a national abortion ban.” made the same claim. Rogers didn’t say that. He said that he’s pro-life.

There are any number of grounds on which a pro-lifer might oppose a national ban on abortion. One might think such a national ban on abortion would, for the foreseeable future, get too far ahead of public opinion to be wise or sustainable. (I think this is correct.) One might think that the Constitution leaves abortion policy to be set by the states. I think this view is incorrect, but it is certainly one that some sincere pro-lifers hold.