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Kirsten Day | The Washington Post

A week ago, New Mexico Rep. Ben Ray Lujn, the Democratic Congressional Campaign chairman, announced there will be no litmus test based on abortion for Democrats seeking office in 2018. "As we look at candidates across the country, you need to make sure you have candidates that fit the district, that can win in these districts across America," Lujn said.

This attention to local values and interests was the crux of Howard Dean's "50 state strategy," which earned victories nationwide for the party in 2006 and 2008. As Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez put it back in April: "To execute a 50-state strategy, we need to understand what's going on in all 50 states, and attract candidates who are consistent with their messages but perhaps not on 100 percent of the issues. ... If you demand fealty on every single issue, then it's a challenge."

Still, many Democrats were horrified by Lujn's remarks. "Shame on Democrats backing anti-choice candidates," Guardian writer Jamie Peck declared, for acting "as if issues like abortion don't have profound economic implications." "Of course abortion should be a litmus test for Democrats," New York Times contributing columnist Lindy West added. "There is no recognizable version of the Democratic Party that does not fight unequivocally against half its constituents' being stripped of ownership of their own bodies and lives." Plenty more chimed in along those lines.

But when Democrats or others on the left bash the party for funding Democratic candidates with whom they disagree on abortion, they miss a key point: Democrats who oppose abortion aren't like Republicans who oppose abortion. Not only are their priorities different, so are their policies. While Republicans who oppose abortion usually aim simply at banning the practice or making it difficult, Democrats who oppose abortion tend to take a whole-life approach, and to focus especially on reducing incentives to have abortions, rather than creating penalties.

Consider Peck's allegation that by funding candidates who oppose abortion, the Democratic party is de facto refusing to consider the economic aspects of abortion. Nothing could be further from the truth. Democrats who oppose abortion are keenly aware of how many abortions are the result of financial stress and economic pressures, and we advocate constantly to reduce those burdens.

Signed into law along with the Affordable Care Act were several legislation proposals crafted by Democrats for Life of America called the Pregnant Women Support Act. We intended our proposals to reduce abortion by getting rid of many of the forces that push women toward abortion in the first place. We moved to eliminate pregnancy as a pre-existing condition for insurers, require State Child Health Insurance programs to cover mothers, fully and federally fund WIC and provide federal funding for day care. Likewise, when Senate Republicans moved last year to institute a 20-week ban on abortion, we at Democrats for Life of America urged legislators to include a paid family leave package along with the bill, with the aim of reducing financial burdens on pregnant women and their families. And in 2012, antiabortion Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a law that would ensure that pregnant women receive reasonable adjustments on the job and that they don't face retribution for asking to be accommodated.

In other words, one of the factors that best distinguishes Democrats who oppose abortion from Republicans who do is the very fact that Democrats are cognizant of the pressures that finances and the economy can place on a person's life, and we are invested in freeing people from them to the greatest degree possible.

Democrats who oppose abortion want to stop abortion, but that doesn't entail a wholesale stripping away of women's autonomy, as the policies outlined above indicate.

When Lujn says that Democratic candidates who run for office in districts with strong antiabortion leanings deserve funding from the party, he isn't saying that the party is going to fund candidates whose positions are tantamount to those of Republicans. He's rightly observing that Democrats real, bona fide Democrats do have a range of views on abortion, and to win as many elections as possible, the party has to recognize that.

Day is the Executive Director of Democrats For LIfe of American and advocates for a pro-life voice within the Democratic Party.

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KIRSTEN DAY: Democrats need not be afraid of anti-abortion liberals - The Northwest Florida Daily News

House Democrats sent a letter to the Trump administration Monday demanding information about the task forces established by the president to reduce burdensome government regulations.

The letter points to a report that found the task forces have been operating "largely out of public view and often by political appointees with deep industry ties and political conflicts."

Democrats are demanding Mick Mulvaney, who runs the Office of Management and Budget, produce a long list of information about the task forces.

"Simply put, it is unacceptable for federal agencies to operate in such a clandestine and unaccountable manner, especially when the result could be the undoing of critical public health and safety provisions," Rep. Elijah Cummings, of Maryland, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote along with three other party lawmakers who serve on related panels.

The Democrats are demanding Mulvaney provide specific documents and information related to the work of the task force groups, including a list of the names, titles and organizations of every member of each task force and all documents and communications by non-government employees participating on the task forces.

Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 24 ordering each agency to establish a task force aimed at reducing "the regulatory burden placed on the American people."

Democrats said the composition of the task forces need scrutiny.

In one instance, the Environmental Protection Agency task force includes the wife of a top oil company lobbyist.

Some of the agencies have refused to provide a list of task force members, the Democrats noted.

"Withholding the names and titles of task force participants may also violate the Freedom of Information Act," the letter said.

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Democrats demand information on Trump regulation reduction - Washington Examiner

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. On the day that Jay Cutler arrived in Miami to come out of retirement for the proverbial one last job like in the movies, there were three Chicago Bears quarterbacks struggling to handle what had been Cutlers old job.

Nothing too alarming, mind you, and there were some good moments, too, in Mondays practice. Plus, theres the matter of the anticlimax: Mike Glennon is going to be the Bears starter to start the season; the only real question at this point is whether Mark Sanchez can hold his spot as the backup, ahead of No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky.

But the Cutler news added a little intrigue and texture to the Bears current QB hierarchy after the team let him go in the offseason, following season-ending shoulder surgery and his own struggles during the teams 3-13 campaign that leaves many of the holdovers in the hot seat heading into this season.

Head coach John Fox, though, said hes happy for Cutler, his starter for two seasons in Chicago. Fox said he texted the new Dolphins quarterback well wishes after hearing the news that he was forgoing a broadcasting career with FOX to help the suddenly needy Dolphins, who have lost Ryan Tannehill indefinitely.

I think its great, Fox said. I am happy for him. Its another opportunity, and its all guys can ask for. We wish him nothing but the best.

Fox added that Cutlers familiarity of the Dolphins scheme, which head coach Adam Gase is keeping much of after coaching Cutler with the Bears in 2015, should be a big benefit to making the transition more seamless.

Therell be some carryover for sure, Fox said. Hes a sharp guy.

The Bears decided to move on in the offseason, given the financial flexibility of doing so, as well as the injury. But there also had not been enough progress at the position for the franchises liking, so thats why Glennon was signed to be the starter now, Trubisky drafted to be the future and Sanchez added to buttress the two.

I was happy with [Cutler] both years, Fox said. I dont think I would say I was happy with our seasons [6-10 and 3-13 records]. He was a smart, tough guy that worked hard. When we departed, we wish it went a different way. I am sure he feels the same way.

On Monday, Sanchez save for one horrible decision on a would-be pick-6 might have been the most effective of the three new quarterbacks. Glennon was fine, getting the offense back on track after a slow first period of practice, and showing some nice touch in the red zone. His intangibles have stood out the most to many observers, but the deep ball remains a work in progress when he's running the offense.

Some of Trubiskys best moments in camp have been when hes been able to unleash his golden arm, lacing some pretty throws. But on Monday, he appeared a bit skittish on a few reps, with inconsistent footwork and accuracy on his throws.

Glennon said hes likely to keep an eye on Cutler as a fan and given that many of Cutlers former teammates, he said, have been talking about his return to the league since the news broke.

Maybe Ill follow it more closely, Glennon said. It seems like a good opportunity for him. I know its a big story here in Chicago, but its no different for me.

But for Bears fans? Given that Cutler was such a divisive figure for more than eight years in the city, its very possible that theyll be keeping closer tabs really on Cutler more than they are on Glennon. After all, Glennon is more of a caretaker or placeholder until Trubisky is deemed ready, whenever that might be. Cutler suddenly has become one of the early stories of the 2017 season. The production, effectiveness and statistics of Glennon and Cutler surely will be put side by side more than once in the coming months.

Glennon doesnt appear too concerned. He has a job to do, and his first preseason game his first real audition as Bears starter comes Thursday at home in the opener against the Denver Broncos.

Itll be my first time playing with this offense [in a real-game situation], and the first time for a few guys, Glennon said. I just want to go out, do a good job of moving the ball, scoring some points and just executing our offense.

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The Case For Merit-Based Immigration Reform - Kokomo Perspective

Former Education Secretary Bill Bennett came down hard on journalists who leak sensitive information to the public.

"The First Amendment is not a license to ruin your country," Bennett remarked to "Fox & Friends" on Monday.

The Trump administration has been plagued by illegal leaks through the press of sensitive and even classified information.

The latest leak debacle occurred last week when transcripts of President Trump's phone conversations earlier this yearwith the leaders of Mexico and Australia were published in the Washington Post. The leak embarrassed the administration, suggesting a lack of control over confidential information.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions vowed to crack down on leakers last week, saying they will be found and prosecuted.

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Bennett agreed, saying all leakers should be prosecuted, and even reporters should not be exempt.

"Let's not have excluded special categories," he advised. "These are tough cases to make. I understand it."

"The law is the law and it has to be honored," he said.

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Bill Bennett on Leaker Journalists: First Amendment Not a License to Ruin Your Country - Fox News Insider

This summer wedding season, were getting all the style inspiration we need from a certain nasty woman.

Hillary and Bill Clinton attended a friends daughters wedding in New York City Sunday. Bill looked handsome in a navy suit, which is pretty standard attire for the former president.Hillary, on the other hand, was a breath of fresh air in an unexpected beautiful blue caftan and low silver heels.

There are a few reasons this look stands out. One, its not a pantsuit. Two, it looks pretty darn comfortable to dance in, and three, its not a pantsuit.

Clinton certainly made it nice,to quote fellow guest and Real Housewife Dorinda Medley.

Want to follow Clinton's lead? Check out a few of our favorite summery caftans below.

CORRECTION:An earlier version of this story stated that Clinton wore flats with her dress. It has been changed to note she is wearing low-heeled pumps.

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Hillary Clinton Is A Mid-Summer Wedding's Dream In Kitten Heels And A Caftan - HuffPost