The contentious issue of abortion has stirred up an ongoing rift within the Republican party a year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Their approach to abortion now has become a pivotal discussion point, something Democrats are keen to put in the limelight during this election season, whether their Presidential candidate is chosen or not.
This week, candidates were seen at loggerheads over implementing a 15-week abortion prohibition, pushing for state sovereignty, or trying to strike a balance between these alternatives. The campaign for President Joe Biden quickly seized this as a chance to unveil an online ad which labeled the top GOP players as radicals, providing a hint of the potential focus in the upcoming election year.
Current abortion laws are putting Republican politicians under the microscope. GOP-led local legislatures have recently endorsed full or almost full abortion bans, surpassing public approval. Based on last year’s results, voters have endorsed pro-abortion ballot initiatives and candidates during several crucial elections. On the other hand, anti-abortion and religious groups are pressuring would-be presidential candidates to be as precise as possible in their position.
Republican pollster, Whit Ayres stated that "the debate demonstrated the numerous differing viewpoints amongst Republicans with respect to abortion legislation, not only how the policy should be structured, but also which level of government should make the decisions".
The Biden reelection campaign has talked up remarks GOP candidates made about abortion in the debate, releasing a digital ad called "These Guys" designed to target women in seven swing states. This ad forms a part of a $25 million ad campaign and featured former President Donald Trump, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussing abortion. The spot once more affirms Biden's position on abortion, which should follow the precedent set by the 1973 Roe v. Wade judgement.
Recent polls suggest the American public does support some legal abortion, but with restrictions. Since the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling upset Roe and left abortion regulation to individual states, Democrats and abortion rights activists have scored a few victories in special elections and initiatives.
Trump originally blamed the party's losses in the mid-term elections on the poor management of the 'abortion issue'. Tom Bonier, chief executive of TargetSmart, a Democratic political targeting firm, said he anticipates that abortion will become an even more potent issue for his party heading into the 2024 election.
Almost two dozen states have initiated actions to limit or ban abortion post the Dobbs ruling. DeSantis, Gov. Nikki Haley, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and Gov. Doug Burgum all abstained from pledging support for a 15-week ban, while ex- Vice President Mike Pence and Scott argued for it.
Trump has given mixed signals, criticizing the six-week ban DeSantis signed as excessive but not explicitly saying if he supports it personally. He has suggested that the issue be handed over to the states. Former Vice President Mike Pence urged each GOP contender to support a 15-week ban. Pollster Whit Ayres suggested that candidates should defer the issue to the states, if they personally believe in it.
As he concluded, "In the end, a candidate must consider their personal stance and advocate for it, otherwise they will never be able to articulate it effectively”.
