The Hyde amendment, first passed in 1976 and last amended in 1994, says that federal monies cannot be used for abortion except when it is the result of rape or incest, and if the woman’s life is in danger.
Joe Biden has always supported the Hde Amendment, right up to and including this past week.
But now that he has reminded the hardline left base of his party – which currently runs the show -that he supports Hyde, the backlash has been enormous.
So what does Mr. Biden, being the champion of principle that he is, do?
He summarily flips on over 40 years of support and says he no longer supports the Hyde amendment.
It is hard to decide whether this makes him more a political whore, a liar or a clown.
This not only makes no sense based on Biden’s 40+ years of supporting Hyde, but also makes no sense politically.
The one thing Biden had going for him more than any other is that, comparatively speaking, he was a moderate running against a bunch of hard leftists; the owner of that territory.
But now, on the major issue of abortion, he has flipped 180 degrees and staked out his territory among the hard leftists.
This is sure to alienate a large portion of his moderate base – certainly the pro life segment, and even many in the pro-choice segment, who Biden has given a compelling reason to conclude he cannot be trusted.
And to the hardliners? Now he is just an old white man – strike 1, strike 2 and strike 3 to this bunch – who they have many superior options to.
Joe Biden is no stranger to making gaffes. But this one, politically – and morally, given his history of support for Hyde – may be the single biggest of them all.
