Dems get smart on abortion issue?

It sounds pretty good to me-- with the fundamentalists openly opposing access to birth control and every instance of abortion (like rape and incest), the Dems seem to have come up with a pretty smart way to force the GOP to go on record saying that they're all for yet another massively unpopular policy position.

The Senate Democratic leadership says it has found a wedge issue to strengthen the party’s position on abortion rights, which top strategists think has become a liability in recent years.

The wedge is legislation expanding access to contraceptives and sex education, which polls show a majority of Americans support but which Democrats are betting will be difficult for social conservatives in the Republican base to accept. (. . .)

The Prevention First Act is sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), one of few congressional Democrats considered anti-abortion. The bill, which Reid introduced at the start of the Congress, has the support of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), presumptive front-runner in the 2008 presidential primary and 21 other Democrats.

The bill would prohibit group health plans from excluding contraceptive drugs, devices and outpatient services if they cover the cost of other prescription drugs and outpatient services. It would also require the secretary of health and human services to disseminate information on emergency contraception to healthcare providers and require hospitals receiving federal money to provide emergency contraception to victims of sexual assault.

The rationale makes perfect sense: reduce the number of abortions through education and contraception. This wil play well with the public, since it's completely sensible and has an admirable goal. The right-wing alernative, to criminalize abortion and outlaw birth control and education, is insane.