Nearly 20% of voters blame President Joe Biden for the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Roe v. Wade in 2022, despite former President Donald Trump taking credit for appointing three conservative justices who were central to the decision. The survey conducted by The New York Times, Siena College, and The Philadelphia Inquirer found that 17% of registered voters in six swing states hold Biden responsible for ending the constitutional right to abortion, while over 55% attribute this responsibility to Trump. Abortion has become a powerful campaign issue for Democrats and a vulnerability for Republicans since the repeal of Roe v. Wade and the enactment of abortion bans in nearly 20 states.
Mini Timmaraju, president of Reproductive Freedom for All, believes that the evidence, particularly in Trump’s own words, points to his role in overturning Roe. She noted that the public’s attention tends to increase in the summer and fall months, which could further impact voter perception on the issue. Although 37% of respondents in the survey believe abortion should always be legal, and 49% believe Biden would handle the issue better than Trump, another recent survey from Navigator shows growing awareness of Trump’s anti-abortion record. The more exposure voters have to Trump’s stance on abortion, the more likely they are to believe he would sign a national abortion ban if re-elected.
Christina Reynolds, senior vice president of communications at EMILY’s List, downplayed the 17% of respondents blaming Biden for the repeal of Roe v. Wade, stating that it may be a small and uninformed group. She believes that younger voters and voters of color, who are sensitive to issues surrounding abortion rights, present an opportunity for the Biden campaign to reinforce its stance on the matter. Democratic pollster Geoff Garin acknowledges that many voters are not fully engaged in the election process yet, emphasizing the importance of the Biden campaign’s efforts in reaching out to undecided voters and conveying its message effectively.
Despite Trump leading in five of the six battleground states surveyed, there has been a decrease in support for Biden among young voters and voters of color who are dissatisfied with his handling of the economy and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Timmaraju views abortion as a critical issue for young voters and voters of color, suggesting that the Biden campaign has an opportunity to solidify their support by highlighting their commitment to reproductive rights. Reynolds expressed confidence that by election day, voters will have a clear understanding of which candidate they believe is to blame for the repeal of Roe v. Wade.
Overall, while some voters attribute responsibility for the repeal of Roe v. Wade to President Biden, the broader findings of the survey align with the sentiments of abortion rights groups and pro-choice voters. The issue of abortion remains a potent political tool for Democrats and a potential liability for Republicans heading into the upcoming election. With both campaigns vying for support among undecided voters, the effectiveness of their messaging on abortion rights could have a significant impact on the outcome of the race.
