Abortion Showdown Against GOP Awaits Missouri & Kansas

What we learned this year . . .

American culture has shifted and abortion crackdowns & nasty rhetoric don't always provide a clear path to victory for Republicans.

That makes sense given the number of abortions remains higher than most people understand even as the procedure declines and counting methodology for 'medication abortion' is often disputed.  

Accordingly, we clip a couple of notes that provide a preview of the fights ahead . . .

"In August, Kansas voters struck down a measure that would have removed reproductive rights protections from the state constitution . . . According to NBC News exit polls, abortion ranked just below inflation in terms of voter importance nationally. In fact, voters around the country rallied behind candidates pledging to protect abortion access, where at least seven pro-choice Democrats held on to or won their governorships."

And then in Missouri . . .

(After) A monumental victory for opponents of abortion rights in Missouri, who already had placed restrictions into law. But it also created a political dynamic that wasn’t exactly favorable to Republicans. Even though Schmitt prevailed, Democratic state legislative candidates did much better than in previous elections — which they attributed to Roe v. Wade’s demise.

And in 2023, the conversation could turn to a ballot initiative to repeal the state’s trigger law. Republicans could also place something on the ballot about abortion and may try to make the constitution more difficult to change, which could impact any effort to target the trigger ban.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Abortion rights to protests in Iran: Women demanded their freedom in 2022

This year may not be remembered as a paramount one for gender equity, but 2022 will go down in history as a testament to the grit, resilience and conviction of women everywhere who stood up to injustice - no matter what the cost - and demanded their fundamental freedoms. From the ballot box at home, to the streets of Iran, to the battlefields in Ukraine, women raised their voices and challenged oppression - many making the ultimate sacrifice.

Conflict and upheaval defined Missouri politics throughout 2022 - more to come in 2023?

Missouri politics in 2022 featured a little bit of everything: high-stakes elections, nasty legislative fights and landmark court decisions. And all of the storylines that defined 2022 stoked enough contention and conflict to likelyaffect events in 2023 and beyond.

Developing . . .