By Breccan F. Thies and Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner | SOURCE: THE GAZETTE
As supporters from across the country gather in the nation’s capital for the 51st annual March for Life on Friday, abortion is becoming a more powerful force in politics than it has been in a generation.
This year’s march, with the theme of “with every woman, for every child,” will take place against the backdrop of a presidential election in which abortion will play a major role, several abortion initiatives on state ballots this year after recent losses for the anti-abortion side — and the question of how supporters of the movement can advance their goal of protecting the unborn.
Several abortion-related cases are also set to be decided by the Supreme Court.
Since Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v Wade, abortion has been a political hot potato on the conservative side of the aisle, with many conservatives in disagreement over how best to tackle the issue. Abortion also appeared to help secure victories for liberals who have outperformed expectations in the past two election cycles while messaging almost entirely on abortion.
“This is an issue where Democrats continue to have an advantage. I thought it was telling that in the entrance poll of the Iowa Republican caucus, just 61% of participants among a conservative electorate said they supported a national ban on all or most abortions, while 35% didn’t,” Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told the Washington Examiner. “I think that shows how abortion divides Republicans much more than Democrats, and that has shown up in these ballot issue votes.”