The mailbag on social issues; test 1

Does the GOP's philosophical position of social issues make it more efficacious on the local and state level than that of the Dems?

Here's what you have said...

Pat writes:
"I am worked for a state senator for 8 years and abortion came up almost weekly. The bar is set really low federally for 'qualifying' for a legal abortion. It's up to the states to decide at what age women need parental consent, or if they need any type of consent at all. It's up to the state how much taxpayers front the cost of birth control or even low-income women's abortions. Democrats and Republicans fight about this in state campaigns all the time so I don't think that pro-lifers are any better suited to tackle the issue than pro-choicers."

Joan writes:
"Democrats rely on Roe v. Wade never being overturned. The GOP is taking the matter into their own hands across the nation and voting on the state level to inact [laws]...that make abortion illegal in-state the minute RvW is overturned...fighting the status quo is always a more energizing position for campaigns."

An anonymous user of yahoo mail writes:
"...and as far as social issues are concerned, let's talk abstinence education. Yes, Republicans in Congress and the President have increased funding but this is always going to be a local issue. Do I want my property taxes funding abstinence education in public schools? You bet I do, but Democrats can just as well argue against it on the local level...there is probably not [an advantage] for Republican campaigns as far as ability to speak to social issues."

Okay, send me comments on fiscal issues, education, and the environment--as well as any stats you have on party breakdown of local and state governments. I'll be back in a few and we'll weigh all this out early this evening.