Graham comes under attack from right for boosting Democrats with his nationwide abortion ban bill

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is coming under attack over his proposed nationwide abortion ban from the most unlikely sources.

Graham has been forced to defend his position against claims by right-wing Republicans and Fox News hosts that he handed Democrats a potent political weapon by unveiling the unpopular measure just as the midterm congressional campaign starts in earnest.

“I’m proudly pro-life and I have no apology for being pro-life,” Graham told Fox’s Jesse Watters Wednesday night. “And there’s no bad time to defend the unborn.”

Graham made things worse by introducing the law on Tuesday, the same day that an ugly inflation report would have otherwise dominated the political headlines.

“All the media and the Democrats are talking about is federal abortion ban, federal abortion ban,” Watters said. “You know that’s not smart politics, right?”

But Graham wouldn’t back down.

“Tell that to the [unborn] baby,” Graham countered.

Most Republican leaders hope to make the midterms a referendum on President Biden’s supposed mishandling of the economy and especially inflation, and not have voters focused on banning abortion or the Supreme Court’s unpopular decision to roll back a woman’s right to choose.

Since the top court’s ruling, Democrats have reeled off a string of victories in congressional special elections and won a landslide victory turning back a pro-life effort in deep red Kansas.

Graham’s bill would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy nationwide, a push that may mobilize women and progressive in pro-choice blue states where they otherwise might not see the need to vote.

“I’m not sure what he’s thinking here. But I don’t think there will be a rallying around that concept,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.)

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a strong pro-life advocate, has said he believes regulating abortion should be up to the states, a none-too-subtle effort to punt on the controversial topic.

The law has also divided Republican candidates in must-win Senate races. Some pro-life zealots like Herschel Walker in Georgia and Blake Masters back the bill, moves that remind voters of their stands on abortion which are opposed by the majority of general election voters in their states.

In Pennsylvania, embattled Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz has sought to duck questions about the issue, sparking new salvos from his front-running Democratic opponent Lt. Gov. John Fetterman.