Democrats are watching avidly from the sidelines, closely watching potential opponents’ abortion stances in 2024. They hope that Republicans will adopt possible positions. popular with their base but that will cost them the moderate suburbs who play an important role in the general election. A poll conducted by several Democratic strategists during the midterms showed voters strongly opposed to any discussion of a nationwide abortion ban.
Celinda Lake, a longtime Democratic strategist and pollster, said in an interview around Election Day: “They’re going to issue a nationwide ban. “It was the most motivating, most persuasive statement.”
She added, “And their candidate will be forced to say it.”
However, after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs Women’s Health Organization v. JacksonIt remains an open question whether the social conservatives will retain their right to be king in the primaries as they did in 2016 or whether they may be forced to accept a candidate who does not go far. to their top issues as they wish or not .
At the National Mall on Friday, the anti-abortion march took a new route, ending not at the Supreme Court as it has for 49 years, but between the courthouse and the Capitol.
But the guests lacked some of the political power of previous years, when top Republicans, including former President Donald J. Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Speaker Paul Ryan, spoke out. perform in front of a crowd. This year, the speakers included just two lawmakers: Representative Steve Scalise, the Republican majority leader, and Representative Chris Smith, one of the leaders of the Congressional Pro-Life Group.
“Boys, we won a resounding victory just a few months before toppling Roe, but as you know, that’s only the end of the first phase of this battle,” Scalise told the crowd. , highlighting the abortion package of bills that have been passed by a new Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Those measures include legislation that could subject doctors who perform abortions to criminal penalties.
