WaPo columnist struck by the youthfulness of the March for Life

The Washington Post has at least one pro-choice columnist who is living in reality. Robert McCartney was with it enough to actually take the time to visit the March for Life and interview some young people.

Iwent to the March for Life rally Friday on the Mall expecting to write about its irrelevance. Isn't it quaint, I thought, that these abortion protesters show up each year on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, even though the decision still stands after 37 years. What's more, with a Democrat in the White House likely to appoint justices who support abortion rights, surely the Supreme Court isn't going to overturn Roe in the foreseeable future.

How wrong I was. The antiabortion movement feels it's gaining strength, even if it's not yet ready to predict ultimate triumph, and Roe supporters (including me) are justifiably nervous.

Also, for another example of how down in the dumps pro-choicers are now, check out the quote McCartney gets from pro-choicer at the March. Imagine how depressing it would be to see thousands of young people file by you as you stand with a dozen or so people.

Activists who support abortion rights conceded that there's less energy among young people on their side of the debate.

"Unfortunately, I feel my generation is a little complacent," said Amanda Pelletier, 20, co-director of the abortion rights group at American University. "It just doesn't seem to be a very hip issue."