An off-the-cuff comment about reproductive rights by Republican Bernie Moreno in Ohio’s tight Senate race has put abortion at the center of debate in the most expensive Senate campaign this year. And that’s just where Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown wanted it.

“Sadly, by the way, there’s a lot of suburban women, a lot of suburban women that are like, ‘Listen, abortion is it,’” Moreno said at a town hall in Warren County on Sept. 20. ”‘If I can’t have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else.’ OK. It’s a little crazy, by the way, but — especially for women who are like past 50, I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.’”

Brown and his allies pounced on the comment, which went to the heart of the Democrat’s bid for a fourth term representing the Republican-leaning state. A woman featured in one TV ad wondered why, if a 50-year-old woman doesn’t have standing to feel strongly about abortion, a 57-year-old man — that’s Moreno’s age — running for Senate would.

  • AmidFuror
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    743 days ago

    Women who are 50 often have daughters of reproductive age.

    And then there are some - some - who may even have empathy for non-relatives in different situations than them. Nah. That’s crazy talk.

    • @satanmat
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      283 days ago

      This is the most closed minded thing I think of.

      Oh XXX doesn’t directly affect you; therefore there is no reason you so be bothered by it.

      The hell! As you said “daughters” and sisters, nieces, grandchildren ANY OTHER EFFING WOMEN they might know?!!?

      What a fuckwit

      • Cadeillac
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        133 days ago

        Funny. Gay people don’t directly affect them, yet they are bothered by it

      • SeaJ
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        103 days ago

        That is the thinking for many Republicans unfortunately. If they are not directly affected, they simply don’t care.

    • @Today
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      223 days ago

      Also, everything doesn’t just magically stop working on your 49th birthday.

  • @[email protected]
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    563 days ago

    It’s a little crazy, by the way, but — especially for women who are like past 50, I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.’

    You know, someone very close to me is 50 and hasn’t hit menopause. Pregnancy could be dangerous for her. She would probably care a lot about this. This man is an asshole.

    • @[email protected]
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      213 days ago

      Women know how messy and complicated women’s reproductive health can be. Even women lucky enough to never have any issues have comforted family and friends as they navigate pregnancies, miscarriages, cysts, tumors, endometriosis, sexual assault, etc. The male dinosaurs in the Senate are from an era when they would refuse to hear any of the messy details of any “woman’s problems “ or “female troubles “ , yet are happy to pop off at the mouth about abortion, birth control and Planned Parenthood. Fuck this smug, ignorant asshole.

  • @AquaTofana
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    233 days ago

    Mr. Moreno, I’m 35 (high risk age), my husband and I dont want kids, I have an IUD, and the military (as of rn) will give me convalescent leave if I ever had to go get an abortion.

    Its not me I’m worried about.

    I’m worried about the high school aged daughters of heavily Conservative parents. I’m worried about the lower socio-economic class people who cannot afford to travel for an abortion, and also cannot afford a child.

    You CAN be scared for people without being personally affected. Just saying.

    • femtech
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      72 days ago

      I have thought about and seen studies that conservative people don’t have empathy, only sympathy or only have empathy for their inner circle while liberal people extend empathy for people that do not know.

    • @captainlezbian
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      73 days ago

      I’m worried about girls like my girlfriend was once. A pregnant teenager smart enough to get out of nowhere and dumb enough to stay with the abusive jackass that knocked up a 16 year old. She’s the first to say she made the wrong choice not to have an abortion and it ain’t fuckin ok that some girls in that position don’t get to make their own choice on it anymore.

      Mr Moreno can go fuck himself.

  • Pennomi
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    223 days ago

    Selfishly voting instead of being compassionate towards people you might know? How very Republican.

    I’m a man with a vasectomy and I still think abortion should be available to everyone.

  • @Today
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    233 days ago

    What an idiot. Pregnancies in women over 35 are at the highest risk of miscarriage and genetic disorders.

  • @[email protected]
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    173 days ago

    I have a daughter who is on the spectrum, and these abortion laws terrify me. These fucking ghouls need to get out of people’s business, man.

  • Optional
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    163 days ago

    “Ha! Ha! Old women, amirite?? SO stupid to not vote fascist!”

    Goddamn, Ohio.

  • @captainlezbian
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    73 days ago

    Mr Moreno can fuck off. Senator Brown isn’t a flashy politician but he’s a good guy and a great progressive/labor politician. If he loses his seat he may very well wind up President at some point.

  • SeaJ
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    83 days ago

    Despite this, the race is still pretty close.

  • @doingthestuff
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    12 days ago

    As an independent currently in Ohio, this race feels like Trump vs Biden all over again.