For two years, Republicans have been haunted by Todd Akin syndrome, in which a spectacular gaffe in an abortion-themed context becomes a costly embarrassment to a candidate’s party. And they were right. But the good news for them is that the bug is contagious. Democrats have lately been showing its symptoms, proving no one is immune.

The first sign their ear had begun getting tinny came early this year when Planned Parenthood head Cecile Richards wandered onto the “House of Cards” set to lend moral support to fictitious Claire Underwood, sinister spouse of the conniving vice president. Mrs. Underwood revealed to an aide that she had three abortions, two as a teen and one as a candidate’s wife who called the thing off in the second trimester when it interfered with her husband’s campaign.