Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate, Nicole Shanahan, recently stated that their campaign supports federal limits restricting abortion access between 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. This comes after Kennedy initially expressed opposition to government limits on abortion, but has since walked back his comments. Shanahan clarified that the campaign arrived at this position after discussions with both abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion supporters on their team. This is a shift from Kennedy’s previous stance on total opposition to government limits on abortion to now supporting limits on abortion access.
Shanahan’s comments are the latest in a series of changing viewpoints on abortion within the Kennedy campaign. Kennedy had previously stated in a podcast interview that he opposed any government limits on abortion access and supported keeping abortion legal even in the final months of pregnancy. These comments received backlash from the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, making Kennedy seem unacceptable to pro-life voters. Kennedy’s campaign adviser, Angela Stanton King, publicly denounced his comments, leading Kennedy to clarify his position on social media by stating that he supports abortion being legal up until a certain number of weeks and that restrictions should be in place in the final months of pregnancy.
Kennedy did not specify a limit on abortion access in his statement, but indicated support for restrictions based on the framework established through Roe v. Wade, which protects abortion rights before fetal viability, typically around 23 to 24 weeks of gestation. He previously expressed support for a federal abortion restriction at three months while running for president as a Democrat last year, but his campaign quickly walked back that position. Shanahan also expressed support for individual states deciding on abortion access, citing concerns about over-politicization of the issue and possible extreme stances influenced by elections.
Democrats have criticized the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket for their changing positions on abortion and allowing states to determine abortion access. Lis Smith, leading efforts to combat third-party candidates at the Democratic National Committee, accused them of being untrustworthy on reproductive rights. Shanahan defended her stance, arguing that allowing communities to work out abortion policies themselves is a positive step. The DNC accused Kennedy of hiding from his “abortion extremism” and pointed to state-level abortion restrictions that they claim puts women’s lives at risk. This ongoing debate within the Kennedy campaign highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating the abortion issue in the political landscape.
Overall, the Kennedy campaign’s stance on abortion has evolved from initial opposition to government limits to supporting restrictions between 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. This shift came after backlash and criticism from both anti-abortion groups and Democratic activists. Kennedy’s clarification of his position and Shanahan’s support for state-level decision-making reflect the challenges of balancing personal beliefs, political viewpoints, and public opinion on a divisive issue such as abortion. As the campaign continues, they will need to address and refine their stance on reproductive rights to navigate the complex landscape of American politics.
