Wendy Davis tries to widen appeal without hurting base

AUSTIN — Wendy Davis’ dilemma, from the beginning of her campaign, has been how to talk about an issue that energizes a base she already has without alienating new voters she needs.

Abortion made her a political star among Democrats. Her 11-hour filibuster last year against tough abortion restrictions put her on the top of the ticket for governor and ignited political fundraising on both coasts.

But she’s avoided the word abortion in her bid for governor, talking instead in broader terms about health care, reproductive rights and what she calls a Republican war against women.

“It’s a tricky issue,” said political scientist Mark Jones of Rice University. “She can’t back away from it if she wants to fire up the activist base and keep the campaign dollars flowing from pro-choice donors. But it most certainly will not help her narrow the 12-point gap that currently exists in the polls.”

On Wednesday, Davis will take the stage in Austin to mark the anniversary of the filibuster that has made her famous, fueled Republicans claims that she is a one-issue candidate and fed tension around her campaign between activists focused on winning in November and supporters whose priority seems to be rebuilding the state Democratic Party for the future.

More at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/elections/20140624-wendy-davis-tries-to-widen-appeal-without-hurting-base.ece .