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From the Democratic view, the argument against compromising is that it allows Republicans to chip away at abortion rights little by little. The House for example just passed a bill that prohibits transporting minors across state lines to obtain an abortion without parental consent. This bill allows prosecution of anybody who assists in transporting the girl, including grandparents, adult siblings, even cab and bus drivers (the Democrats' immunity amendments were defeated).
Democrats who never would have voted for such a bill 5 years ago, voted for it this time: 54 Dems total voted in favor of it. Here's an example of a switcher: William Clay (D-Missouri) decided to vote for it this time because his constituents overwhelmingly supported it.
Other recent examples of chipping away at abortion rights:
--it is now a separate crime to harm a fetus during an assault on a pregnant woman;
--federal funds now are denied to any state or local agency that penalizes health care providers and insurers that don't provide or pay for abortions;
--Sam Brownback (R-Kans) has introduced the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, and NARAL-Pro Choice America is not opposed to it;
--in 2003, 16 Dems voted in favor of the partial-birth abortion ban, even though the ban failed to consider the health of the mother (this is the reason it was ruled unconstitutional).
It seems to me that this country is becoming gradually more conservative on the abortion rights issue. Republicans seem completely unwilling to compromise, and seem to have the strategy of chipping away little by little, with bills that gradually increase fetal rights. The idea I think is to create a new social climate that will be ripe for overturning Roe v. Wade next time it comes before the new Supreme Court.
And the argument in favor of compromising: Dems are up against the wall. Compromise at least keeps them in the game.
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