Abortion is a hot-button political issue and it has been since 1973. The Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization invigorated the left. Since then, Democrats have used the issue to win elections that should have been winnable for Republicans.
Republicans have to find their way. How do Republican candidates talk about abortion with voters? Republicans are the pro-life party and, thanks to the Supreme Court justice nominees put on the Court, Roe v Wade is no longer the law of the land. Trump is to be credited for that.
On the flip side, Democrats want abortion to be legal without restrictions. Joe Biden promises to work to codify Roe v Wade in Congress. He knows that Democrats don’t have the votes to do that but it is red meat to his audiences.
The red wave that never came in 2022 was credited to the abortion issue. Democrats scared suburban women and independents into believing that Republicans would push for a national abortion ban. There are not enough votes for that in Congress, either. When push comes to shove, moderate to liberal Republicans rally around the rest of their colleagues and vote yes to a pro-life agenda.
Abortion is back as a state issue. Each state decides its abortion laws. There is no Constitutional right to abortion. When the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a national right to abortion, it was on the privacy issue. Even liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg knew the abortion issue was not properly decided.
Some red states have all but eliminated abortion. In my state, Texas, there is a 6-week ban. Abortion has all but ceased to exist in the state. Look for many horror stories coming from Texas women who are being used by Biden and Harris and other Democrats to demonize Republicans on the issue.
You’ll be seeing ads like this one, maybe worse.
This is a painful story that so many families around America now know too well: Amanda was denied the medical care she needed, and it nearly took her life.
More than 1 in 3 women in America now lives under an abortion ban, with more on the way.
Donald Trump did this. pic.twitter.com/2vH8EdzIw8
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 8, 2024
Trump has been slow to announce what he has planned on the abortion issue. During the Republican primary season, he voiced disapproval of Florida’s six-week abortion ban supported by Governor Ron DeSantis. It will be on the Florida ballot in November. Many Republicans are worried that the deep red state that has been accomplished under the leadership of DeSantis may revert to a purplish swing state because of abortion.
Trump’s decision has been made and he released a statement on Monday. No, he is not promising a national abortion ban. He is leaving it as it is, with states in control. He is in support of a 15-week ban, which is where the majority of voters are who want some restrictions on abortion.
WATCH: Trump releases new statement on abortion policy, saying abortion restrictions should be left to states. Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/hCv13xgt1h
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 8, 2024
This is a statement by a pragmatist. He knows he will not win in November by promising a national abortion ban, which is unattainable, or by supporting a 6-week abortion ban. According to Gallup, 69% of Americans think abortion should be legal in the first trimester, 37% in the 2nd trimester, and 22% anytime.
The President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life is disappointed.
New: Majorie Dannenfelser, President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life, says she is “deeply disappointed in President Trump’s position”
“Saying the issue is ‘back to the states’ cedes the national debate to the Democrats,” she said https://t.co/xddTp6Xdw4 pic.twitter.com/y2xLKMKEid
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) April 8, 2024
Trump’s pal Senator Lindsey Graham is upset, too.
I respectfully disagree with President Trump’s statement that abortion is a states’ rights issue.
Dobbs does not require that conclusion legally and the pro-life movement has always been about the wellbeing of the unborn child – not geography. https://t.co/WloOJ0ImaW
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 8, 2024
Trump fired back at Graham and Dannenfelser. He said it is a 10th Amendment issue.
Trump fires back at criticism over abortion policy from Sen. Lindsey Graham R-SC pic.twitter.com/OacwvfF9FF
— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) April 8, 2024
President Trump slams Lindsey Graham and tell the president of Susan B Anthony List to “study the 10th amendment” after each criticized Trump’s statement on abortion. pic.twitter.com/NPTDHd9xLD
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 8, 2024
Trump continued to slam Graham.
Mike Pence sounded off, too.
BREAKING: Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) attacks Donald Trump over position on abortion, writes, “President Trump’s retreat on the Right to Life is a slap in the face to the millions of pro-life Americans who voted for him in 2016 and 2020.
“By nominating and standing by the… pic.twitter.com/XclzbIz5cp
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) April 8, 2024
So, now it is Trump’s job to bring together Republican voters and independents on abortion. If he doesn’t, Republicans will lose again. The Republican Party is not united. It is moving in that direction but it isn’t there yet. Trump has to find a way that resonates with most Republicans. He has to bring in independents, which this stance on abortion will do. In a perfect world, there would be no abortions. We don’t live in that world.
If you don’t win the election, you can not govern.