Ronna McDaniel spars with CNN host on abortion

Republican National Committee boss Ronna McDaniel sparred with CNN host Dana Bash on Sunday over the GOP’s position on abortion, while calling for a messaging recalibration.

During a discussion on CNN’s “State of the Union” about GOP setbacks in the off-year elections Tuesday, McDaniel slammed Democrats’ position on late term abortions, prompting pushback from Bash.

“We now know, through science from 50 years ago, a baby feels pain as its life is being taken at 15 weeks,” McDaniel claimed.

“Why are Democrats continuing to double down on 39 weeks, 38 weeks?”

Bash countered that “most Democrats” don’t support abortion that far along in a pregnancy, and contended that if such a procedure were to happen at that time, it usually “means something has gone wrong.”

“That’s life of a mother, which is an exception, but there are states — five or six — that have it at 39 weeks,” McDaniel shot back, referring to the handful of states, plus Washington DC, that allow abortion with no term restrictions.

“If we don’t support that, let’s come to this consensus position,” she added.

Republicans have been reeling from a spate of off-year election losses in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and elsewhere.

Ohio marked the seventh state in a row where the anti-abortion cause lost on a ballot initiative since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

“I am a suburban woman, I get this,” McDaniel quipped.

McDaniel said she believed that abortion was a huge impediment to Republicans on Tuesday — and urged candidates to rework their messaging.

She cited Virginia state Senate contender Danny Diggs’ airing of an ad featuring his daughter defending a 15-week abortion ban as an example of the tact Republicans should take.

But Bash wondered if Republicans’ position on abortion is really the problem, rather than messaging.

“Why aren’t Republicans just looking at that saying this is on the wrong side of this policy-wise?” Bash asked.

“I think common sense limitations is where the country is,” McDaniel replied. “I think most Americans do think that there should be a limitation when we you know, a baby feels pain.”

The RNC boss declined to bash Republicans pursuing restrictions beyond 15 weeks, contending that candidates are gauging their own states and constituencies.

McDaniel has discouraged Republicans from ignoring the issue of abortion and urged them to fight back, lamenting how Democrats significantly outspent them on the airwaves.

Lackluster GOP performance prompted finger pointing and scapegoating her way, particularly from biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy — something McDaniel has shrugged off, noting that the RNC specializes in national, not local races.

She shared frustration over the Republicans’ less than stellar showing last week, but stressed that the RNC has limitations.

“The RNC builds the road. All the candidates drive on it, you need a good candidate and a good road to get to your destination,” she said.

When asked about her thoughts on former President Donald Trump becoming the party’s standard bearer despite 91 criminal counts pending against him, McDaniel downplayed risks about nominating a convicted criminal.

“As party chair, I’m going to support to the voters choose and yes if they choose Donald Trump. The voters are looking at this and they think there’s a two tiered system of justice,” she said.