[quote=fredo4]Is it just for ratings or is there an actual argument to be made?[/quote]
Neither, there must have been demographic testing that says x percentage of people think this is an issue worthy of discussion in the political sphere.
This is the way campaigning works. Political parties use the exact same methodology as corporate advertising.
Meaning, they follow marketing research studies and fashion talking points to the results. Most of it is geared toward an emotional response to issues and terms.
Research probably shows talking about this issue will draw a base.