I know Missouri Democrats are having the abortion conversation, some arguing that we need to accept candidates into the party who oppose abortion, some saying absolutely not.

I think we miss a fundamental part of the picture when this becomes the fight: The right to privacy.

1/

Missouri Democrats ran a candidate opposed to abortion in Jefferson County, who talked about his NRA A rating, and who defended the massive mask-less parties at the Lake. He lost by a lot.

That doesn't totally prove anything, but it's important to note.

2/

There are many folks in our state who oppose abortion personally. That doesn't necessarily mean they oppose our right to privacy. We need to be clear about what the conversation is, in my view.

3/

When I was a candidate for Attorney General, I railed against the corruption in our state. I did it because I am personally and deeply involved in exposing it, and I'm convinced the brokenness of our system is why we have such terrible results in Missouri.

4/

A young Republican saw what I was doing and how our campaign was going to every corner of Missouri. He wanted to intern for our Republican Attorney General's campaign until he saw mine. Then he asked if he could interview.

5/

Our interview lasted over 40 minutes, and I asked maybe 3 questions. He asked the rest. He wanted to know my views on everything, including abortion, which he said was a dealbreaker.

6/

I said I strongly believe in the right to privacy, and that if we give the government the power to dictate medical decisions, we all suffer. I talked about how we used to do that in this country, how we inflicted horrible suffering on Americans, and how we shouldn't go back.

7/

I also shared the experiences I've had, that people close to me have had, how the health care decision to get an abortion is a deeply personal one and not a place for government. I was honest.

And this young Republican, entirely opposed to abortion, said, "OK."

8/

So then came my second question for him: "So, do you still want to work for my campaign?"

Him: "Yes."

And my third question: "Really? Why?"

Him: "We can disagree. That's OK. I can help you prepare for a debate."

9/

I think one of the biggest problems we have right now is we approach these issues as if the "other side" is the enemy, not human beings deserving of compassion. That understandably happens when we feel threatened, and taking away health care is a substantial threat.

10/

But sometimes it's not just the threat that motivates us.

Problem is, sometimes it's easier to vilify someone for their beliefs, to feel superior, than it is to actually understand, to have compassion.

11/

That need for compassion is the most important lesson, I think. It turns the intractable into something human again. We may not agree on everything, but we've got a much better chance of agreeing on something. It sure seems like we've been missing compassion in America.

12/

But there's another important recognition on this issue in particular: The right to privacy - the underlying principle in reproductive care - is under attack in so many different ways in America, and, in my view, it needs to be a part of the Democratic Party in a big way.

13/

Government interference in health care, government surveillance, big corporate harvesting of our data, the Internet - all of it comes back to our right to be left alone, to tell someone it's none of your business.

And plenty of people agree with that.

14/

We have a visceral reaction to someone telling us what to do or how to live, and it's all tied back to the right to privacy. Why are we ceding that conversation to someone like Senator Josh Hawley? Why aren't we as a party leading on that conversation when it's so important?

15/

There are so many things we agree on. If we start from there, if we build relationships and trust, if we show up, if we're honest, if we listen, we may just learn a thing or two. We may change some minds, maybe even our own on some things.

16/

The longer we refuse to talk, the longer we stay in two opposed camps.

There is no excuse for Democrats not to lead on this issue in Missouri, not to stand with the courage leaders should. Change won't come overnight, but it won't come at all if we don't organize for it.

17/

We have become so short-sighted. There's no 10-year plan. There's no unified strategy.

There are a bunch of fingers, some trying to win on their own, some curling for cover. Until those fingers make a fist, we aren't winning any fights any time soon.

That's got to change.
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