The politics of abortion (United States).

The political battle about abortion grows more vehement year by year. Under the leadership of President Bill Clinton, the Democratic party has continued--indeed increased--its decade-long support for abortion and its train of related anti-family, depopulation measures.

Almost by default the Republicans became the pro-life party with a pro-life plank in its electoral program, but only to the dismay of its pro-abortion leaders and party apparatchiks.

Today a major thrust is underway by Republican pro-abortion factions to cut down the influence of its Evangelical wing and of the pro-life Catholics who have joined it after abandoning the Democratic party. The American weekly The Wanderer, March 11, 1999, reports that in California, the party's abortion supporters are gaining control of the G.O.P. in an attempt to "yank the pro-life plank" from the party program.

Meanwhile, three of the seven Republican candidates for the Presidency are pro-life: Senator Chris Smith of New Hampshire (Catholic); David Bauer of the Family Research Bureau (Evangelical); and Pat Buchanan, political commentator (Catholic), who is entering the presidential race for the third time.