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ABC dem debate

Nine things that got mentioned more than abortion during ABC's Democratic debate

Special Programs Abortion Rights & Reproductive Health

Written by Rachel Tardiff

Research contributions from Sharon Kann, Julie Tulbert, Madelyn Webb & Chenay Arberry

Published 09/13/19 12:31 AM EDT

During the September 12 Democratic presidential debate, ABC News moderators failed to ask a single question about abortion. “Abortion” was not said by anyone on the debate stage. Here are nine things that were mentioned:

1. John McCain

2. Veganism

3. The Day After Tomorrow

4. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s hair

5. Record players

6. 19th century philosopher Søren Kierkegaard

7. The Wizard of Oz

8. Bill page numbers

9. Penguins

During the 2016 presidential primary debates, activist Renee Bracey Sherman started #AskAboutAbortion to push moderators to include questions about this important issue. Many others, as well as abortion access advocates, have echoed her since. But so far, in the Democratic primary debates for the 2020 election cycle, abortion has barely been discussed. In August, CNN moderators failed to ask 20 candidates a single question about abortion.

Given the already precarious state of abortion access, debate moderators need to ask candidates specific and nuanced questions on abortion -- otherwise right-wing media and anti-choice outlets will continue to dominate the conversation with harmful misinformation.

Correction (9/13/19): This post originally described Søren Kierkegaard as a “17th century philosopher.” In fact, Kierkegaard was a 19th century philosopher.

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