Real News': Democrats Try to Push Social Issues to the Forefront, But Will It Backfire?

The GOP platform was released Tuesday, and while the majority of the document focuses on jobs, foreign policy and entitlement reform, the media and Democrats have predictably pounced on the party's opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion; without making explicit exceptions for rape, incest or health of the mother.

Coming off the remarks made by Todd Akin regarding "forcible rape," which were repudiated by most all Republicans and disassociated from by Akin himself, Democrats have made it clear that they want to bring the abortion issue to the forefront, exemplified by the announcement of new speakers at their upcoming convention, including Sandra Fluke and the leaders of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

But will this strategy backfire for the left?

The percent of Americans who identify as "Pro-Choice" is at a record-low, and further investigation into President Obama's voting record on abortion may revolt some voters when they discover he voted against bans on partial-birth abortion and legislation that would protect born-alive infants that survive failed abortions.

While some conservative and libertarian pundits, in addition to liberals with no intention to vote Republican in either case, grumble that social issues are a distraction to the dire economic situation we face, could they actually end up tipping the scales toward Romney/Ryan? Evidence shows that voters do not always vote solely by their pocketbooks.

On "Real News From The Blaze" Tuesday the panel debated the pros and cons for each party in taking on these social issues on a national stage: