Yes, and without knowing for absolute certainty whether that's the case, it is completely plausible. Both sides of the culture wars use underhanded tactics for political gain and power. YES "conservative" politicians ride on the coattails of the emotionally charged abortion issue to get votes and support, whether their personal moral compass aligns with those public positions or not. There's a lot of money and promise of power in politics, enough to go around for all stripes.

This is why I stay out of those particular debates that zero in on the high profile moral issues - for the most part - because they tend to feel disingenuous from many angles, very easy to manipulate the masses when moral outrage is the main driver.

Those you trust the most . . .