Nikki Haley tells Republicans to ‘face reality’ on abortion

Nikki Haley used her personal struggles with fertility to emphasize her pro-life stance as she addressed the abortion issue in a major policy speech on Tuesday, where she called on Republicans to face “reality” when it comes to the controversial issue .

Her remarks were intended to appeal to moderate voters, as many in the Republican Party have expressed concern that some abortion laws being passed — such as the 12-week abortion ban that Ron DeSantis signed in Florida — are too restrictive and the fluctuating voters will be put off. who decides the next elections.

As the issue divides the Republican Party, Haley called for consensus and “constructive conversation” on the issue.

Haley, speaking at the headquarters of the influential pro-life group Susan B. Anthony, described herself as “pro life.

”

“I’m unashamed or hesitant about it,” the Republican presidential nominee said. “I want to save as many lives as possible and help as many mothers as possible.”

Haley, the only declared female Republican presidential nominee, said her party “needs to face this reality.” The pro-life laws passed in strongly Republican states will not be passed at the federal level. That’s just a fact.’

Florida is one of about a dozen states with the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Lawsuits are underway across the country after a wave of injunctions passed after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

A recent CBS News poll found that 58% of Americans think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, as do 62% of independent voters and 29% of Republicans.

Haley called for a “constructive conversation about where we are going in our divided country.

“

“It shouldn’t be about one movement winning and another losing,” she said. “This should not be about taking sides, scoring points or sparking outrage. It’s about saving babies and supporting mothers.’

But she didn’t say at what point in a pregnancy she favors an abortion and has so far avoided committing to any specific proposal.

In February, she told NBC’s Today Show, “We need consensus on this because I want to save as many babies as possible and support as many mothers as possible. Is that consensus 15 weeks? Is it ten weeks? Is it six weeks? I don’t know what that is, but we have to figure this out for the good of these babies and for the good of the mothers.

”

She did not provide any stronger details on Tuesday. But in her comments, she made the matter personal, describing how her husband Michael was adopted and expressing gratitude that his parents chose life.

“Every day is a blessing because someone gave him life,” she said. “Every day is a blessing because a family loved him and raised him in difficult circumstances.”

She also described how the couple struggled with fertility issues before having son Nalin and daughter Rena.

“Michael and I struggled to have children of our own. I had many challenges as a teenager and during my college days. I’ve had numerous surgeries. When Michael and I got married, I couldn’t wait to be a mother. But what came so easily to many of my friends was not my family. We’ve been through countless fertility treatments,” she said.

“Every day I wake up and see or speak to my two children. I feel blessed. The best job I’ve ever had is being a mom there,” she said.

Nikki Haley with (from right) her husband Michael, son Nalin, daughter Rena, and Rena’s now husband Josh at Haley’s February presidential announcement

In her remarks, Haley outlined areas where she believes Americans can find consensus: making adoptions easier, not punishing a woman for having an abortion, not forcing medical staff to go against their personal beliefs to have an abortion, making birth control more available. and to prohibit late abortion. term abortions.

In her call for a calm conversation, she slammed President Joe Biden for confusing the issue.

She said he promotes division rather than bringing people together.

That’s not leadership. It is the more partiality of the worst kind of pro-life political leaders and candidates who cannot accept being demonized. We should denounce extremism on the left,” she said.

Democrats view abortion as a winning issue for their party. In the 2022 midterm elections, the abortion issue rallied voters and kept Democrats in control of the Senate. The Republicans won a narrow majority of five seats in the House.

Haley made sure to stay away from controversy in her comments. She focused on a middle ground, offering compassion and understanding to both sides of the issue.

“Most people have a story that led them to their opinion about abortion. It may be your personal experience. It could be a trauma suffered by a family member or friend. It can be a moral conviction. It could be our concerns about our daughters and their future,” she said.

And then she shared her story.

Nikki Haley at her first inauguration as governor of South Carolina in 2011 with husband Michael and son Nalin and daughter Rena

Haley also criticized those who push for specific positions on abortion.

‘How many weeks are you for? How many exceptions are you for and the list goes on and on. But these questions miss the point when the goal is to save as many lives as possible. You don’t save lives,’ she said.

She concluded by calling on Americans to come together.

“Let’s treat it like the important and very personal issue it is. Let’s discuss it in a way that allows Americans to show love for each other and not judgment or contempt. And let’s find a consensus that will save as many babies as possible while supporting women in difficult situations.”