Sizable numbers of abortion opponents said the procedure should be permitted in cases of rape or incest, or when a pregnancy "threatens the health or life of the woman."Ĭountless elections have shown that the voters who feel strongest about abortion - and especially those who are passionate one way or the other - are already likely to cast ballots and are clear in their minds about whether they support the Democratic or Republican stance. More than half those who supported legal abortion felt there should be limits depending on the timing. "In many ways, the partisan divisions over whether abortion should generally be legal in the United States tell only part of the story," wrote Hannah Hartig, a Pew research associate. In a recent survey by the Pew Research Center just about six in 10 said abortion should be legal in all or most circumstances, compared to fewer than four in 10 who said it should be illegal in all or most circumstances. Others show how deeply ambivalent Americans are about legalized abortion, despite the fervor expressed by the loudest and most adamant voices on either side. In addition, it found the "enthusiasm gap" between Democrats and Republicans - that is interest in November's election - had also significantly narrowed to the benefit of Democrats.īut that is just one poll. Soon after the draft decision surfaced, a survey by NBC showed the abortion issue jumping 16 points in importance for voters compared to when the question was asked in March.
In Texas, the lone antiabortion Democrat in the House, Henry Cuellar, scratched out a primary victory against a fellow Democrat who campaigned with strong backing from abortion rights groups. Since then, there have been a number of congressional and legislative elections, and none suggests an inordinate turnout of Democrats or sympathizers animated by the threatened reversal of Roe vs. A leaked draft of the decision, which closely tracked the one issued Friday, made the court's intention clear for the last several weeks. The 5-4 ruling Friday was not a particular surprise. If history holds, the GOP will also strengthen its numbers in statehouses nationwide, solidifying gains of the last two decades that resulted in looser gun laws and tougher abortion restrictions in much of the country even before the Supreme Court signaled its assent. Republicans seem all but certain to win the House and stand a good chance in the Senate as well. The first meaningful and lasting test of political consequence will come when control of the House and Senate are at stake this fall along with thousands of legislative seats and the governor's office in 36 states. "This is it."īut the proof points, so far, are few and contradictory.
“We’ve needed something affirmative to say and an issue where we can say affirmatively we’re going to protect your rights," Yang said.
Heading into November's midterm elections, the party is battling the twin headwinds of high inflation and low confidence in the Biden administration. “Democrats needed an energizing, organizing dynamic and this provides it," said Fred Yang, a veteran Democratic pollster and strategist who is working in a number of competitive House and Senate races around the country.