When news came out that Herschel Walker paid a woman in 2009 to abort his child, it was hard to believe from the start. The article in question was released the first Monday of October, perfect timing for an “October surprise.” It also came from a far-left outlet, The Daily Beast. The reporter Roger Sollenberger, went through great lengths to defend it, tweeting that “no, this isn't oppo. This is reporting.”
My initial thinking was that if true, Herschel Walker, who is known for being pro-life with few exceptions, had had a change of heart. The supposed abortion took place over a decade ago. Post-abortive mothers and fathers can end up becoming some of the most passionate pro-lifers.
Walker has denied the allegations, though, and I believe him. He has also threatened to sue The Daily Beast. The more that comes out, the more it seems this really has the makings of an “October surprise.”
Having read Sollenberger’s piece, I didn’t see any mention of Sen. Raphael Warnock’s (D-GA) position on abortion, except as how Walker categorized it.
Referring to a 15-week abortion ban introduced last month by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sollenberger mentioned a statement that Walker gave to POLITICO, signifying he would support that bill.
“Raphael Warnock wants to protect the killing of babies right up to the moment of birth. We need to do better,” Walker told POLITICO. "I am a proud pro-life Christian, and I will always stand up for our unborn children. I believe the issue should be decided at the state level, but I WOULD support this policy."
In addition to other issues with Warnock as a candidate and a person, he’s fiercely pro-abortion. The senator’s personal Twitter account is @ReverendWarnock, touting that he is a member of the clergy. “As a pro-choice pastor, I’ve always believed that a patient's room is way too small for a woman, her doctor, and the United States government,” he tweeted.
Warnock also touted his credentials as a “pro-choice pastor” at a campaign rally last month. The NRSC highlighted and condemned how Warnock claimed “even God” shares such extreme pro-abortion values.
More important though than words or ads is that Warnock advocates for abortion until birth without legal limit. He also opposes the Hyde Amendment, which protects taxpayers from funding elective abortions.
Warnock has voted in favor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which expands Roe v. Wade. This extreme legislation allows for abortion up until birth without legal limit and invalidates pro-life laws passed at the state level. It passed the House last year but has failed multiple times in the Senate.
If Warnock is re-elected, and if Democrats expand their majority enough to get rid of the filibuster, it’s quite likely the WHPA will become law.
Unsurprisingly, the story about Walker received wall-to-wall coverage from a mainstream media that was all too happy to cover what they saw as hypocrisy from a Republican candidate who is black, Christian, and pro-life. Outlets were even all too happy to weigh into family drama between Walker and his son, Christian Walker, who has reacted to the story.
If it gets them clicks, these outlets don’t seem to care about worsening or even tearing apart family dynamics.
Many, beyond Sollenberger, provided cover for Warnock’s pro-abortion position.
Perhaps one of the most glaring examples is an exchange between CNN’s Alisyn Camerota and Scott Jennings during Wednesday’s episode of “CNN Newsroom.” When Jennings addressed Warnock’s position, Camerota dismissed Jennings’ concerns as “not true” and “fear-mongering.”
Furthering how this may be a ploy against not just Walker, but his supporters, is that there’s not exactly a winning position for those supporters to take on this. Conservative talk show host Dana Loesch was quite blunt in emphasizing that her priority is winning control of the Senate.
Retweeting David Harsanyi, Loesch wrote that “IF true, Walker paid for one broad's abortion compared to Warnock who wants your tax dollars to pay for EVERY broad's abortion-as-birth control with no limitations. This isn't a difficult choice and conservatives shouldn't look to the left to validate their vote.” Her next tweet was that “I want to control the senate and you should, too. The end.”
Although I personally would probably not go with the exact word choice that Loesch did, I do overall agree with her and applaud her for sticking to her guns. I above all agree that it “isn’t a difficult choice.”
It’s not up to the mainstream media, though, or those criticizing Walker for a story that may not even be true; again, he has steadfastly denied it.
Will this story hurt Walker in the polls? Time will tell.
It’s crucial to point out that polls often take time to conduct and release. It will be interesting to see if the polls reflect the possibility that it is hurting Walker in the polls. It’s also worth pointing out, though, that the race has already been close, with Warnock having a lead in some polls to begin with. Incumbency is a powerful thing, even in states considered red like Georgia is.
As of Saturday afternoon, polls indicate that Warnock is up with just a +3.8 lead, according to RealClearPolitics. Many forecasters consider the race to be a “Toss-Up.”
Let’s not forget, though, polls have been wrong. Hillary Clinton had an 85 percent chance of winning in 2016, even a 99 percent chance in some forecasts. Instead, the American people chose to elect Donald Trump, who had been hit with his own October surprise with the “Access Hollywood” tape.
Ultimately, whether they trust Walker to be their next senator, is up to Georgia voters. Given that Georgia still has a runoff system if a candidate does not win a majority of the vote, here’s hoping that enough voters will be definitive in their decision so that we actually know who wins on election night or not long after.
Nevertheless, one can still hope that voters don’t fall prey to a mainstream media that is all too eager for an “October surprise” while going after Republicans and defending pro-abortion candidates and the indefensible position they hold.