OPINION – Ever since the Supreme Court leak ahead of its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Republicans have been cowed by the leftist media into hiding their pro-life policies.

This is a huge mistake.

While the media and radical Democrat partisans hyped the decision’s impact and quickly weaponized the decision, much of the GOP hid, hoping the abortion issue would just go away.

And to some degree, it has faded as Americans are clearly more concerned about the economy, inflation, crime, and illegal immigration.

But acting as if we have something to be afraid of only gives the radical abortionists vindication.

And they don’t deserve it. And we don’t have anything to fear.

The left is on the wrong side of the issue, of medical science, of morality and of the majority of the American people.

And we are on the right side.

Yes, most Americans believe in some widespread access to abortion, but very few believe in abortion on demand with no restrictions, including late-term abortion up to birth.

And yet, this radical abortion stance has become the policy of today’s Democrats.

They are the extremists.

Earlier this week, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) made that point as he stood his ground on a debate stage at the Lake Worth campus of Palm Beach College.

“I’m 100% pro-life not because I want to deny anyone their rights but because I believe that innocent human life is worthy of the protection under the law,” Rubio said. While noting he has supported legislation that includes exceptions for rape, incest, and the mother’s health, he then went on offense, arguing that “the extremist on abortion in this campaign” is his opponent.

Like Democrats around the country, Demings [Rubio’s Dem opponent] had been running ads hitting her Republican opponent on abortion for more than a month. During their debate, Rubio delivered his rebuttal. “She supports no restrictions, no limitations of any kind – she’s against a four-month ban, she voted against a five-month ban,” he said. “She supports taxpayer-funded abortion on demand for any reason any time up until the moment of birth.”

This is how Republicans should fight the abortion battle.

We should show that we are reasonable and mainstream while the Democrats are the abortion extremists.

The National Right to Life organization has always made exceptions for rape, incest, and danger to the life of the mother.

I recall taking their pledge as a congressional candidate in 2010 in Florida.

Many conservatives also allow for abortions up to 10 weeks or when a fetal heartbeat is detected.

This too is supported by many Americans and would likely be supported by many more if they were shown the science.

With the widespread availability of contraception and ‘reproductive health’ in America why would abortion need to be guaranteed beyond 10, 12, or 15 weeks (where most European countries draw the line)?

Significantly, the most common cutoff for abortions around the world is 12 weeks, Axios has reported.

A recent poll found that 48% of Americans at least somewhat support restricting abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, while 43% oppose it.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, says Republican candidates should be leaning into abortion as a winning conservative issue — not running away.

She blamed some Republicans for “inch[ing] to the middle, maybe the back of the bus” on abortion as Election Day approaches.

“Letting the dust settle without being a vocal advocate means you let the dust settle on the wrong side,” Dannenfelser said.

And she is totally correct.

Conservatives need to stand by their principles and defend life.

The extremists on this issue are the pro-abortion Democrats.

Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.