Former Planned Parenthood president Leana Wen praised Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s (D., Hawaii) advocacy for “safe, legal, and rare” abortion at Tuesday night’s Democratic debate.
In a tweet, Wen called the issue a “third rail for Democrats,” adding that abortion supporters should focus more on reducing “the need for abortions by investing in prevention.”
I don’t agree with @TulsiGabbard on a lot, but do appreciate that she brought up the third rail for Democrats: that abortion should be “safe, legal, and rare.” We should reduce the need for abortions by investing in prevention.
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) October 16, 2019
Wen’s comments came after Gabbard identified herself as the only candidate on the debate stage who favored a “safe, legal, and rare” approach to abortion. President Bill Clinton coined the phrase in 1996 to encapsulate his views on the topic, and for a time it served as a mantra for the pro-choice movement and the Democratic Party more broadly. – READ MORE