Abortion Was A Winning Issue – Just Not for Kamala Harris
Nov 12, 2024
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Laura Kusisto, a WSJ reporter, dives into why Democrats miscalculated abortion rights as a winning campaign issue. She discusses how strong public support for reproductive rights didn’t translate into votes for Democratic candidates, especially in light of the surprising outcomes after Roe v. Wade's overturning. Kusisto highlights unexpected bipartisan support seen in states like Kansas, and addresses the complexities of voter behavior, revealing the intricate dynamics at play in the current political landscape regarding abortion.
Democratic strategies focusing on personal rights around abortion did not convert ballot measure support into votes for candidates like Kamala Harris.
The disconnect between abortion rights support and Democratic voting highlights the complexity of voter priorities that include issues like the economy.
Deep dives
The Focus on Abortion Rights
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized abortion rights during her campaign, aiming to energize voters who were outraged by the rollback of reproductive freedoms. The campaign invested heavily in advertisements across swing states, highlighting personal stories to illustrate the impact of the loss of rights. One notable ad featured Hadley Duvall, who shared her traumatic experience regarding abortion at a young age due to abuse, criticizing former President Trump's role in overturning Roe v. Wade. This strategy aimed to connect with voters emotionally and bolster support for Democrats, presenting abortion access as a fundamental issue that needed restoration.
Voter Support for Abortion vs. Democratic Candidates
On Election Day, while many states saw ballot measures supporting abortion rights pass, this did not correspond to similar electoral support for Harris. Seven out of ten states voted in favor of abortion protections, yet Harris's campaign experienced disappointing results, highlighting a disconnect between support for abortion and support for Democratic candidates. Observers noted that a significant number of voters, including those who supported abortion rights, also backed Trump or other Republican candidates, making it clear that abortion was not their primary voting issue. This reflected a broader trend where abortion rights, despite being popular, did not translate into votes for the Democrats.
Changing Dynamics in Political Messaging
Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade and subsequent state-level ballot measures, the messaging surrounding abortion has evolved, focusing more on personal freedoms and medical rights rather than solely on the abortion itself. Democratic strategists have found that framing abortion as an issue of individual rights resonates with a wider audience, including voters who traditionally lean conservative. In contrast, Trump’s strategy of leaving the issue to the states seemed to resonate with some independents and Republicans who felt the government should not intervene in personal healthcare decisions. This divergence illustrates the complexities in voter priorities and perception, indicating that while abortion remains a critical issue, other topics like the economy also play significant roles in shaping electoral decisions.
After abortion access wins in 2022, Democrats made a bet that voters backing abortion on states’ ballot measures would also back Democratic candidates. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto explains why that bet turned out to be wrong.