Former Bush strategist: Trump took ‘worst possible political position’ on abortion

Matthew Dowd — who served as chief strategist for former President George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection bid, argued former President Trump took the “worst possible political position” in his statement on abortion and should have gone for a 15- or 16-week federal policy on the procedure.

“I actually think he’s taken the worst possible political position,” he said Monday during an interview on MSNBC, adding later: “But from a political perspective, he would have been better off, I think, going for a 15-week or a 16-week federal policy on this because he can still motivate and there are some swing voters that agree with that online market.”

Trump issued a video statement Monday, saying he was proud to have ended Roe v. Wade and expressing support for exceptions including rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is in danger.

He did not endorse any kind of federal abortion legislation, despite pressure from various conservative groups, and said he agrees the states should determine where they stand on legislation regarding the procedure.

In the wake of criticism from various conservatives for his statement, Trump argued Democrats would never approve of abortion-restricting legislation and have benefited politically from the push among conservatives to restrict access to the procedure.

Dowd said he does not believe Trump’s stance will help the former president secure more votes ahead of November.

“It’s still going to motivate Democrats in the course of this, so Democrats are still going to be motivated,” he said. “Two, it’s going to demotivate part of Donald Trump’s base, as already evidence by some of the things they’ve said where they wanted a federal ban and they wanted to get rid of abortion not only in places like Texas [and] Florida but California and New York.”

Dowd further argued Trump is still going to be forced to answer questions on this when a state takes action to restrict abortion.

“Because, he’s opened the door to say states can do whatever they want,” he said. “That means, he’s going to have to answer, ‘Well do you agree with what Florida did? Did you agree with what Texas did? Do you agree with Alabama, you agree with Mississippi?'”

Dowd pointed to the perspective of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who said he respectfully disagreed with the former president’s position and would continue to advocate for a federal limit on abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions.  

Trump shot back at Graham and other conservatives’ criticism, writing on social media that the South Carolina Republican was “doing a great disservice to the Republican Party, and to our Country.”

“Terminating Roe v. Wade was, according to all Legal Scholars, a Great Event, but sometimes with Great Events come difficulties,” Trump wrote. “Many Good Republicans lost Elections because of this Issue, and people like Lindsey Graham, that are unrelenting, are handing Democrats their dream of the House, Senate, and perhaps even the Presidency.”

The Hill reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.