Many Voters Blame Biden for Roe v. Wade’s Decline

Almost 20% of voters are pointing the finger at President Joe Biden for the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Roe v. Wade in 2022. This revelation comes from a poll released on Monday, even though former President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for overturning Roe due to appointing three conservative Justices who played a pivotal role in the decision.

The survey, conducted by The New York Times, Siena College, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, revealed that 17% of registered voters in six swing states believe Biden carries “a lot of responsibility” or “some responsibility” for ending the constitutional right to abortion. On the other hand, over 55% of respondents pointed the blame towards Trump.

The issue of abortion has been a thorny one for Trump, who had previously dodged questions on the matter. However, since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent enactment of abortion bans or restrictions in nearly 20 states, abortion has emerged as a potent campaign weapon for Democrats and a significant vulnerability for Republicans.

According to Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, the 17% figure found in the poll doesn’t align with what she hears on the ground while advocating for abortion rights in various states. She emphasizes the need for more attention to the evidence and data, particularly in Trump’s own words.

Interestingly, 37% of respondents in the poll believe abortion should always be legal, and 49% think Biden would handle abortion issues better than Trump. Another recent survey by Navigator, a polling group focused on progressive causes, indicates that the public’s awareness of Trump’s anti-abortion stance is increasing. The more voters hear from Trump, the higher the likelihood they believe he would sign a national abortion ban if re-elected.

Christina Reynolds, senior vice president of communications at EMILY’s List, downplays the 17% figure, suggesting it might be a group that blames Biden for everything or simply associates the event with his presidency without focusing on the issue itself. She stresses that this figure is minor and that other findings related to abortion access align with the opinions of pro-choice voters.

The 17% of respondents mainly consists of young voters who didn’t participate in the last election. Timmaraju highlights the significance of abortion issues to young voters and young voters of color, presenting this as an opportunity for the Biden campaign to capitalize on.

A Democratic pollster, Geoff Garin, concurs that many voters are not heavily engaged in the election process yet. He emphasizes the crucial role that these undecided voters will play and praises the Biden campaign’s efforts in reaching out to win them over.

The poll indicates Trump’s lead in five out of the six battleground states surveyed. The decline in support for Biden is noticeable among young voters and voters of color, who express dissatisfaction with the president’s handling of the economy and the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

As the narrative develops, Reynolds reassures that they will continue to advocate and raise awareness about the issues at hand, ensuring that voters are well-informed on who is responsible for the current state of affairs by the time of the election.

Our journalists are committed to providing extensive coverage of the twists and turns in this historic presidential election. Your support is invaluable in enabling us to bring you in-depth investigations, well-researched analysis, and timely perspectives. Reporting in such a pivotal political climate is a responsibility we take seriously, and we thank you for being part of our network.

However, we cannot do this without your help. Reader funding plays a crucial role in sustaining our newsroom. Would you consider contributing to help fund our news coverage during this critical period? Your support is essential in upholding a free press.

The upcoming 2024 election holds significant and potentially severe implications for women in America. From the dismantling of Roe v. Wade to threats against IVF in Alabama and the revival of an 1864 abortion ban in Arizona, women’s rights are under tremendous pressure nationwide.