South Carolina Primary / Abortion

well fuck.

— Leah Litman (@LeahLitman) February 25, 2020

Biden had to do really well in South Carolina, so the talk was, and he did. Steyer conceded -- he did come in third but people just didn't think he had a shot -- as he should have before now. So, delegate-wise with Super Tuesday and Super March  (1/3 and then 2/3 as a whole)  here, it's Sanders and Biden.  Big sigh there.  I supported a guy that ran against Bill Clinton (and died of cancer of few years later) so I guess being a Elizabeth Warren supporter is my fate. And, voting after it's about done.

My concerns about Biden remain, but of the two, he is a better choice.  A sort of Reagan figure in some ways if more decent with better policies.  Can see him as seen as a good placeholder to get us past Trumpism.  Again, I am not excited about that lower expectations and his flaws remain.  But, reality based community and all that, and yeah I like that black woman Supreme Court justice thing.  His v.p. choice also might be appealing and yes more important than usual.  Anyway, guess what's coming up?

ETA: Buttigieg dropped out Sunday night and after seeing an appearance blocked by a protest (don't think the two really are related but it's an example of keeping up with events) on Monday morning, reports are Amy Klobuchar is out and she will endorse Biden. And, now I see that Buttigieg will as well.  I expected that his voters would lean that way but some poll data suggests more of an even split  Will early voting and Bloomberg now screw Biden especially in places with a 15% floor?

The top link is in response to the border shooting opinion last week, but Prof. Litman very well might bring it back when the big abortion ruling comes out this term.  The oral argument is this week.  Apropos, someone asked me about states that allowed abortion after six months, noting she knew that New York did.  She was having some dispute with someone and think she was viewing New York and Virginia moves of late thru a Fox News lens.  She is one of those elderly Fox News loyalists.  I replied:

The Supreme Court held that an abortion to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman is protected. That applies nation-wide. This is so even after six months or technically "viability" -- when the fetus can survive birth (though it could be very risky).  That occurs around six months.

New York has a third reason -- if it is determined if the fetus cannot survive such as if the fetus is brain dead.  The woman is not required to carry the fetus to term there even if she finds out late and that often would be at least somewhat dangerous to the woman anyway so might meet the first two rules.

It looks like about twelve states allow an abortion after six months above and beyond the life and health of the woman. For instance, Utah allows it for "cases of life endangerment, severely compromised health, rape, incest or lethal fetal anomaly."