NPR Politics Podcast: The Fight for Reproductive Rights Takes Center Stage in the Election

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A Deep Dive into Election Abortion Politics

Welcome back to the NPR Politics Podcast. I’m Susan Davis, your guide to all things political. I’m joined today by my amazing colleagues, Danielle Kurtzleben, our presidential campaign guru, and the one-and-only Mara Liasson, NPR’s senior national political correspondent.

Today, we’re tackling a sujet that’s as relevant as ever: how abortion politics are shaping the election landscape. Buckle up, folks, because things are about to get interesting!

The Post-Roe Reality: A Nation Divided

It’s been almost two years since the Supreme Court delivered its earth-shattering decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. And, let’s just say, the political landscape hasn’t been the same since. Republicans, eager to appease their base, seem keen on shifting the national conversation to more, shall we say, “comfortable” territory – like the economy and immigration. Democrats, on the other hand, well, they’re not letting go of this issue anytime soon. They’re determined to make abortion access a cornerstone of the election.

The Democrats’ Secret Weapon? Reproductive Rights

Recent polling data paints a very clear picture: when it comes to abortion, voters are siding with Biden over Trump. A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll reveals that a majority of voters trust Biden more than Trump on this crucial issue. And honestly, this isn’t exactly breaking news. Biden has consistently outperformed Trump in polls on abortion for a while now. This trend aligns with a broader shift in public opinion, with more and more Americans supporting legal abortion in all or most cases, as highlighted by Pew Research Center data.

Democrats, always the savvy strategists, are capitalizing on this sentiment. They’re expertly framing abortion as a fundamental right, a matter of personal freedom and bodily autonomy. They’re drawing a stark contrast between their stance and what they call Republican “extremism.” And judging by the polls, it seems like their message is resonating.

Reading Between the Lines: Deciphering the Abortion Polling Data

Now, before we get too carried away with the “abortion as a slam-dunk for Democrats” narrative, let’s inject a dose of reality. While the polls seem to favor the pro-choice camp, it’s not as simple as it appears at first glance. You see, when asked to rank the most important issues facing the country, only a small fraction of voters – around 8%, according to an NPR poll – put abortion at the very top of their list.

But hold on a sec! Before we sound the alarm bells for the Democrats, let’s dig a little deeper. This seemingly low number doesn’t tell the whole story. Voters, bless their hearts, are complex creatures. They often juggle a whole bunch of issues they care about. So, while abortion may not be their absolute top priority, it doesn’t mean they’re cool with, ya know, throwing reproductive rights out the window.

Remember those midterms? Democrats successfully connected abortion to a broader critique of what they called “Republican overreach.” It resonated, big time. Voters might not have been shouting “abortion” from the rooftops, but it was definitely on their minds, influencing their choices in the voting booth.

Meet Jay Andrew Beckwith: The Pro-Choice Trump Supporter

To illustrate this point, we spoke with Jay Andrew Beckwith, a 30-year-old Trump supporter who identifies as pro-choice. “Look,” Jay told us, “I’m all for women having the right to choose. But honestly? There are just other things I care about more right now. The economy, inflation, making sure I can, like, afford rent and stuff – those are my top priorities.”

Jay’s story highlights a crucial reality: voters are multi-faceted individuals, not walking, talking issue-based voting machines (wouldn’t that be something, though?). They weigh a complex mix of factors when casting their ballots.

Beyond Abortion: A Battle for Freedom and Bodily Autonomy

Here’s the thing: Democrats are playing a long game here. They’ve cleverly positioned abortion as part of a larger narrative about…wait for it…freedom! That’s right, folks – freedom. It’s a tale as old as time, and it still packs a punch. They’re not just talking about ending a pregnancy; they’re talking about the right to control your own body, your own destiny. They argue that Republicans, with their laser focus on restricting abortion, are actually gunning for a whole lot more. Think: access to contraception, IVF, the whole shebang.

And you know what? They’ve got a point. Republican lawmakers in several states have introduced bills that would limit access to IVF, a move that directly impacts couples struggling with infertility, regardless of their stance on abortion. By shining a light on these legislative efforts, Democrats are broadening the conversation, framing it as a battle for comprehensive reproductive rights, not just abortion in isolation.

Biden’s Balancing Act: Navigating the Abortion Tightrope

Now, let’s talk strategy, shall we? Interestingly enough, while Biden’s administration has taken steps to protect abortion access – remember his executive orders? – he himself isn’t exactly making abortion a central theme of his campaign rallies. Don’t get me wrong, he’s made his stance clear: he’s pro-choice, full stop. But when it comes to hitting the campaign trail, he tends to focus on other issues like, say, the economy (always a crowd-pleaser).

Enter Vice President Kamala Harris and other prominent female Democrats. They’ve emerged as the go-to voices on abortion rights, passionately advocating for reproductive freedom across the campaign trail. It’s a strategic move that allows Biden to appeal to moderate voters while still energizing the Democratic base that considers abortion a top priority.

The message from the Democratic camp is clear: this isn’t just about abortion; it’s about “freedom of choice.” It’s about trusting women to make their own healthcare decisions. It’s about ensuring access to a full range of reproductive healthcare options, from contraception to IVF.

The Trump Card: A New Playbook on Abortion

And what about the man himself, Donald J. Trump? Well, he’s singing a slightly different tune this time around. Gone are the days of fire-and-brimstone speeches demanding a federal abortion ban. Nope, Trump rarely mentions abortion on the campaign trail these days. His go-to line? Abortion should be left up to individual states.

It’s a strategic shift, no doubt. By taking a step back from the federal ban rhetoric, Trump avoids alienating moderate voters who might be turned off by such a hardline stance. Plus, it allows him to focus on other “culture war” issues – think immigration, transgender athletes, you name it – that he believes resonate more strongly with his base.

Down-Ballot Drama: The Abortion Effect on Congressional Races

Alright, let’s zoom out for a sec and look beyond the presidential race. Because, you know, Congress exists! And guess what? Abortion is poised to play a major role in those down-ballot races too. Democrats are convinced that the abortion issue is key to holding onto their slim majority in the Senate and maybe even, just maybe, flipping the House.

Senator Tina Smith, a Democrat from Minnesota, recently told our team, “This election is bigger than Roe. Republicans are coming after birth control, IVF, even travel across state lines for abortion care. We’re talking about a full-on assault on reproductive freedom. Electing Democrats is the only way to stop them.”

Senator Smith brings up a scary thought for those who support abortion rights: the Comstock Act. This blast from the past – we’re talking late s, people – could potentially be interpreted to restrict access to abortion pills nationwide. Yikes. Democrats are using this very real threat to rally their base, emphasizing that their victory is crucial to protecting reproductive rights.

Keep your eyes peeled on states like Arizona and Nevada. These battleground states, with their close Senate races, could very well determine the fate of abortion rights (no pressure or what?).