No, Republicans aren't 'softening' their positions about abortion

One might get the impression from recent headlines that, in the wake of the evisceration of Roe v. Wade, and faced with overwhelming political opposition from voters who support an unimpeded right to abortion, Republicans have undergone some sort of  “conversion” in their views. It might seem that, after facing a broad public backlash, GOP candidates and elected officials are now hastily backpedaling on prior positions about forcing people to carry unwanted pregnancies to term.

But that’s simply not the case. What Republicans have done in most circumstances, is engage in a cynical bit of sleight of hand, counting on a sleepy media to play along. In many cases, they’ve succeeded. Every day, as the 2022 midterms approach, we see another story trumpeting the fact that in light of political headwinds, Republicans are kindly “backing” off on forcing victims of rape and incest to give birth to their rapist’s or relative’s offspring. They’re magnanimously agreeing to reinstate exceptions where ”the life of the mother” is at risk. “See,” they seem to be saying, “we can be compassionate.”