Today, during another one of those ubiquitous town-hall forums, Chris Matthews questioned Donald Trump with rapid fire inquiries. One question was whether Trump was against abortion. Yes he is, answered The Donald. Would you penalize women who had abortions if abortions became illegal, Matthews asked. Donald paused, presumably to think, but quickly answered yes. What would be the penalty, asked Chris. Donald hesitated and said he'd have to think about that.
Well, the mainstream and social media world lit up at Donald's pronouncement. Not only did Democrats denounce his position but even social conservatives rejected it, saying they opposed abortion but had never favored imposing criminal penalties on the women, only the physicians.
Shortly thereafter, the Trump campaign issued a "clarification" which was, in point of fact, a complete reversal, adopting the social conservatives' position against abortion but now opposing criminal penalties on the women who had abortions.
A commentator on CNN shortly after Trump had taken his initial position with Chris Matthews and before the "clarification" offered the best "explanation" as to why Trump made the statement in the first place: given that Trump has no core values and is a pure opportunist, opined the commentator, when asked the question by Chris Matthews, who was demanding very quick responses, Trump had to quickly figure out not where he actually stood but, rather, what he imagined Wisconsin and other voters would want to hear him say. And that is what he said.
If only the Republicans had a presentable candidate for President, just in case the GOP wins. No, not Trump. Not Cruz. And Kasich is no moderate either.
