The Los Angeles Post

Democrats look to keep abortion front and center

by · Published · Updated

Democrats are seeking to keep abortion in the headlines ahead of the midterm elections in an effort to make it top of mind for voters as they seek to retain control of the House and Senate.

 

Their strategy comes as Republicans have tried to steer the focus to crime, the economy and immigration, all topics Democrats would like to avoid ahead of November.

 

But it’s also playing out as Republicans continue to generate news about the issue themselves.

  • Most recently, a bombshell report alleged that Georgia GOP Senate nominee Herschel Walker paid for a woman’s abortion.
  • That followed tensions spilling out into public after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced legislation for a 15-week abortion ban, raising concerns among some Republicans that he was shooting his own party in the foot ahead of November.

Winning issue: Abortion is an issue Democrats believe will play well with suburban women, a key voting demographic in a number of swing states. A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Wednesday showed the group favoring Democrats over Republicans on the issue 40 percent to 24 percent.

 

Meanwhile, the White House and Democrats continue to bash Graham’s legislation, highlighting Republicans’ messaging challenges on the issue.

  • At a Democratic National Committee fundraiser late last month, President Biden called out Graham’s bill for not having exceptions for rape or incest.
  • “I happen to be a practicing Roman Catholic,” Biden said. “My church doesn’t even make that argument.”