AP: "Palin's Nomination Adds Fuel to Abortion Debate"

Oh boy, here we go:

The abortion debate is gaining a higher campaign profile this year than in other recent general elections, partly because of divisive ballot measures and partly because of Sarah Palin.

Veteran leaders in the anti-abortion camp say they have never before seen the degree of enthusiasm that greeted Palin's selection as John McCain's Republican running mate. She opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest, and lived out her convictions by bearing an infant son she knew had Down syndrome. (AP)

Speaking generally about the feel of this article - its tone is retrograde. In recent memory, in other words, mainstream reporting on the topic of abortion was more even-handed. They could afford to be indulgent and "show all sides" because abortion "rights" were safely secured, or at least they felt they were.

But now they must be scared because the tone has shifted decidedly back to using the old scare tactics (i.e., "if we don't all band together, anti-abortion forces will take away a woman's right to choose and criminalize all women who seek abortions.") The article makes the case (rightly), that Sarah Palin's nomination has thrown Obama/Biden's pro-abortion position into a stark contrast.

In this case, it is encouraging to sense fear from the proponents of the culture of death.