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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRecent polling shows abortion is top priority for only 4%
According to 538 from polling last year, abortion is only a top issue for 4% of Americans. Inflation, gas, the economy, immigration, etc. were way higher priority.
How much do you think that will shift now? It's one thing to not care about abortion last year when you thought Roe was likely safe.
Now that it's not, will abortion become bigger priority, or will inflation/gas prices still dominate the election?
Here is 538's assessment:
That said, its not immediately clear to me whether gutting Roe would hurt Republicans in the midterms. Gallup found in March, for instance, that Americans do not consider abortion to be a critical problem facing the nation.
Whats tricky about this is that the people who are most in favor of abortion rights are college-educated, and while those people have backed Democrats in recent elections, they are far from a majority of the electorate. For abortion to make a big difference in the election, youd need to see other groups of voters shifting back toward Democrats on this issue.
And Im skeptical abortion is going to supplant the economy and inflation as the top issues Americans are worried about not when Bidens approval rating will likely still be in the low 40s and theres little sign that inflation is going to fully stabilize before the election.
Yeah, Geoffrey, Im not sure it will change many peoples actual votes; if you support abortion rights, youre probably already voting Democratic. It could, however, increase Democratic enthusiasm to turn out in a year when Republicans might otherwise have an enthusiasm advantage.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-supreme-court-could-strike-down-roe-v-wade-what-would-that-mean-for-the-midterms/
Response to Marius25 (Original post)
AZSkiffyGeek This message was self-deleted by its author.
ColinC
(8,232 posts)"Republicans took away a woman's right to choose and will ban contraception."
The key is effectively labeling them as religious fanatics the same way we did in 2008. It can be done more easily especially that it is even more true.
I think the message you try to send is that Republicans are after contraception of all sorts. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not but if we say it enough and use the Republicans who have made ccomments along those lines in the ads people will believe it. At worst Republicans will have to talk about that and I'm sure some congressional candidates will say that's what they want, then you can tie everyone else to them.
ColinC
(8,232 posts)Even if it isn't at the top of every Republicans agenda, it is high enough on enough of their agendas (even one or two is enough), to make it a feasible idea. Screaming bloody murder over it is reasonable.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)that Roe v. Wade would never change.
The fact that it is now gone is going to change a lot, as well as potentially shift peoples' perspective of the GOP to new lows of being an ultra extremist religious party.
bucolic_frolic
(42,678 posts)Picking a fight with women is a bad idea. Trying to make us all into snitches won't be popular either, and it could rebound on anyone including them. The GOP has stirred up a real hornet's nest.
dwayneb
(766 posts)It's a war for the survival of our democracy.
Abortion rights was simply one skirmish, one battle in that war.
People will go right on believing that abortion, or gun rights, or immigration law, or inflation is the important "issue".
While our enemies move right on in to the Congress and the White House to finish the demolition of our Constitution and our election systems.
Do you really think that anyone will be paying any attention to those "issues" when they are under the boot in a modern American police state?
Not really qualified to respond as an immigrant with full citizenship. But yeah, democracy in this country is basically dead. Like a dinosaur, it has been for a while, it just can't realize it yet. As far as I can tell, the dumbing down of america has been a goal of the GOP since at least Regan with some evidence pointing towards a few decades earlier.
When i spent a few years in Guatemala some 15 years ago, there was a great push to literate the populace because, as it seemed like common knowledge then, as it is today, you cannot have a democracy unless the people can at the very least become informed. IE be able to read and comprehend what they read.
GO TEXAS!
GO FLORIDA!
GO...
oh fuck it...
Y'all a bunch of morans!
Ill just see myself out...
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)Last year is a LONG time ago. 26 weeks to 15 weeks is one thing (and I am NOT saying that's right).
However, the outright overruling of Roe and Casey is entirely different. I think a lot of people are outraged.
BlueCheeseAgain
(1,654 posts)The reality of the SC overturning Roe may have an effect.
Phoenix61
(16,954 posts)uponit7771
(90,225 posts)dwayneb
(766 posts)If the right-wing SCOTUS justices are smart, they will delay their decision until after the election of 2024, to avoid giving the Democrats any ammunition.
People don't get what is at stake. It's far more than abortion rights. This is about the survival of freedom in America.
Polybius
(15,239 posts)And if they can, that would suck for us because the Texas abortion law will stand until be get a decision.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)I know says they vote for Republicans because they're against abortion. They voted against Hillary and Joe, because of abortion. Didn't give a shit about anything else, and also why they voted against every Democrat running for every office. They have plenty of money, not worried about the economy, always one issue voters. Yeah, no way. There's a shitload of one issue voters in southern Oregon and eastern Oregon.
dwayneb
(766 posts)At any given moment about 25-30% of American voters are Republican, and about 25-30% are Democrats. In either case, it's a minority that are electing representatives to our government. But the neo-Fascist Right has the advantage, because they understand the path to power and aren't afraid to use any weapon in their arsenal to get there, very much like Putin has no hesitation to kill women and children in his quest for power.
The most import fact is that about 40-50% of American voting eligible public don't give a flying fuck whether we survive as a free nation or not - either they are too stupid or too clueless or too entranced with their electronic toys to bother to vote.
These people are the real reason why the American experiment is going to fail.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)It's abortion. These polls are bs. The reporters ask the question of the day, the popular question that has been pushed by the pundits that day. Then they call it a poll. No. These Republicans have been one issue voters for decades. The economy shit they're claiming on any given day, is what they watched on fox or newsmax ,that told them the economy sucks, be mad about that today. Scratch below the surface, you're gonna find someone who given the chance, will vote republican because of abortion. I have yet to find that not the case.
Not a one has been able to explain how much they hated President Obama. Just bs talking points from rw shit they listen to. Point out they have health-care now because of him, no way! Obamacare ruined this country. They're the same across the country, not just Oregon. Racist to their core. Oregon is blue for now, but that can change in our next election. Kate Brown is done now, so governor is up for election. We get a republican governor, and we're screwed.
Progressive dog
(6,862 posts)a real issue. A year ago Alito and his gang hadn't voted to revoke the right of women to control there own bodies. That is despicable.
BradAllison
(1,879 posts)Until this group of criminals arrived.
Dave says
(4,608 posts)Phoenix61
(16,954 posts)LakeArenal
(28,729 posts)For me
past a very certain age, its not a top issue for me. For me, inflation and medical care are top issues.
However, women, as a group, in this world, its the major top issue. Its way more than abortion. Its about fundamental freedom.
Scrivener7
(50,774 posts)That was when it was considered to be safe established precedence.
Response to Marius25 (Original post)
MichMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
I believe there are several states with trigger laws just waiting for the Fall of Roe. Those states will ban abortion from what I understand. Sooooo, I would say thats more than little change.
Maybe Im misunderstanding your comment?
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)Response to Karma13612 (Reply #22)
MichMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)With a republican governor. I am not sure how our state will vote. I take nothing for granted.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)Which states are you talking about? Have you checked Louisiana lately?
Karma13612
(4,527 posts)MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)Karma13612
(4,527 posts)Strong voices, we need responses to the onslaught.
Im going to my very first march this Sunday. Locally where I live. Im 68 and have little stake in the game except to voice my disgust at how this will effect the youngsters. They need support. And Im fired up. A little scared but also very excited to be a part of it.
I hope I dont get arrested or something. Its supposed to be peaceful and I will just have an escape plan if it looks like things are going pear-shaped. Im not a coward, but also not stupid. LOL!!
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)Karma13612
(4,527 posts)Response to MerryBlooms (Reply #23)
MichMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)You didn't mention anything about states with trigger laws. Almost half the country will be without women's rights. You are fine with women traveling hundreds of miles for care. There are entire blocks of states that will prohibit abortion as soon as this becomes law. These are your fellow Americans. You are fine with them not having the same access to care you have. Would you be fine traveling hundreds of miles to get a vasectomy? How about a surgery that you needed to save your life, but had to lose a testicle, but denied because that's not in the Bible or constitution?
You are not an ally.
Response to MerryBlooms (Reply #43)
MichMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)We're done. So, done,. So tired of arguing with people who parse and dance, then indignant. No, I have no energy left for this sort of arguing. I am exhausted from explaining why every woman in every state counts. YES,THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE. WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE'RE SCREAMING ABOUT? Omg, do you know what trigger laws are? They've been passed.
Okay, we have to be done here, because I am crying and it's just not worth it. Hopeless.
Karma13612
(4,527 posts)Over the weekend if you can. I dont know you, but I can tell you are as upset about this as I am. But, dont let your health suffer and get run down and sick. The fight is beginning to heat up and you need to be ready.
I walked away from it last night and feel refreshed this morning.
Every single woman in every state in this country needs the right guaranteed. Anyone who says different is not paying attention. You are completely right in your passion.
Many hugs and as they say in Handmaids Tale: Illegitimi non carborundum (Dont let the bastards grind you down).
Karma13612
(4,527 posts)Why do you think its OK for states like Texas to take away a womans right to control what happens to her body? Or someone in Alabama, or Mississippi? Why should a womans zipcode dictate her uterus?
Trivializing this is not only dangerous, but it will alienate you with most women. You wont get far in conversations if you say, but who cares about a few million in this or that state. They count just as much as someone in a strong blue state. All women count.
And just to reiterate, there are many states poised to ban abortion once Roe Falls. They are trigger laws that are triggered and automatically take effect the moment SCOTUS announces their decision in another Month or so. According to some estimates, this will make abortion illegal in nearly 1/2 the country.
Are you really OK with that?
Response to Karma13612 (Reply #51)
MichMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
MerryBlooms
(11,728 posts)Karma13612
(4,527 posts)Demsrule86
(68,352 posts)UTUSN
(70,497 posts)Karma13612
(4,527 posts)Until you actually need it.
Plus, as others have pointed out, this survey is old.
I love how pundits love to throw survey results around and manipulate them to make their point.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)iemanja
(53,003 posts)So I'm not sure that stat means much.
LW1977
(1,227 posts)Ill say 2014 at the latest. Not to mention no one gives a shit about last years issues!
Demsrule86
(68,352 posts)Demsrule86
(68,352 posts)Emile
(21,909 posts)Or a year ago?
Tickle
(2,466 posts)Polling? I suspect next week well see how much has changed. Hopefully this will change the political landscape of the election 🤞
Wicked Blue
(5,767 posts)and I suspect the number will cgange