The veepstakes and the sanctity of life


Published July 9, 2024

WORLD Opinions

If you are anything like me, you were deeply disheartened over the weekend at hearing Sens. J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio concede significant ground on the subject of abortion during various news interviews. This comes on the heels of the possibility of the Republican Party taking steps to weaken its pro-life stance in its 2024 platform.

Both Vance and Rubio have strong pro-life records. Yet both are vying to be Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee and have found themselves needing to adjust to the realities of their party’s nominee for president. I doubt that Vance and Rubio’s personal views have changed.

While Vance is new to the stage, Rubio has long been a heroic advocate for the unborn. Sadly, it is more likely the case that both are uttering the words they need to say to bolster their standing in Trump’s eyes. While I can understand that, I do not accept it. They did not have to take the bait and come out and offer the explanations they did over the weekend, explanations that more or less accept certain allowances for abortion. That was a choice both senators made and I think they got it wrong. They deserve to hear from pro-life allies and they need to know our disappointment. Pro-life elected officials should not make what are effectively pro-abortion arguments. It is one thing to acknowledge political realities, but it is a whole other thing to surrender moral principles—especially when your whole career suggests otherwise.

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EPPC Fellow Andrew T. Walker, Ph.D., researches and writes about the intersection of Christian ethics, public theology, and the moral principles that support civil society and sound government. A sought-after speaker and cultural commentator, Dr. Walker’s academic research interests and areas of expertise include natural law, human dignity, family stability, social conservatism, and church-state studies. The author or editor of more than ten books, he is passionate about helping Christians understand the moral demands of the gospel and their contributions to human flourishing and the common good. His most recent book, out in May 2021 from Brazos Press, is titled Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Secular Age.

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