Invoking fiery references to Satan, "savagery" and a "culture of death" to criticize their opponents, anti-abortion lawmakers on Wednesday insisted that Republican contenders keep an intense focus on social issues in the upcoming midterm elections and the 2016 presidential race. Like many abortion opponents, the Susan B. Anthony List is in search of a White House contender who won't shy from social issues after back-to-back presidential nominees in 2008 and 2012 who focused their campaigns on the economy and came up short. Several potential 2016 candidates were making their pitches in blunt terms, urging the group members to stick to their principles and fight those who would stand in their way. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said those who support abortion rights favor a "culture of death" and engage in "savagery."
If Americans don't protect the unborn, they won't protect people at the end of life either, Mike Huckabee said Wednesday night at a Washington gala sponsored by the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List. "If we teach the generation coming after us that it's okay to terminate a human life because it represents a financial hardship or social disruption, what are we telling them?" Huckabee asked. [...] Huckabee also urged GOP members of Congress who were in attendance — including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Reps. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Trent Franks of Arizona -- to make opposition to abortion a bigger part of the Republican message in the midterm elections.