Can abortion alone help Biden carry black voters in 2024?
Black Voters’ Support for Abortion Access Gives Hope to Democrats
Despite facing waning support on critical issues and within key demographics, President Joe Biden can find solace in the strong backing for abortion access among black voters in Tuesday night’s elections. This support raises optimism among Democrats that Biden can successfully defend his position against a Republican challenger.
Biden’s approval rating currently stands at 41%, a significant drop from the 55% he enjoyed when he took office in 2021. Recent general election polls, including those from the New York Times, CNN, and CBS, even show former President Donald Trump surpassing Biden.
Black Voters’ Support for Biden Declines
Black voters, who played a crucial role in Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, have shown a decline in support in recent months. According to CNN’s latest poll, Biden now holds 73% support among black voters, a 20-point decrease compared to his performance in the previous general election. The New York Times also reported Biden’s support at 71% among black voters, while Trump garnered 22%, the highest percentage for any Republican presidential nominee in the past five decades.
However, despite this decline, Democrats have found hope in the impact of abortion access on voter motivation, regardless of race. The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, which overturned national protections for abortion, has further emphasized the significance of this issue.
Abortion Access Plays a Role in Democratic Wins
Following Tuesday’s elections, Democrats credited abortion access as a contributing factor to their victories in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. In Ohio, Democrats voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that codifies the right to abortion. Kentucky reelected a Democratic governor, and in Virginia, Democrats flipped the House of Delegates, effectively blocking potential restrictive abortion legislation from Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA).
Notably, black voters played a crucial role in passing Ohio’s abortion initiative, with 83% expressing approval in exit polls. This percentage was significantly higher than that of white and Latino voters.
“Black voters are not a monolith, and Democrats aren’t taking any votes for granted,” said one Democratic official. “But Tuesday night’s results showed that President Biden and national Democrats are putting forward real policies that will directly help black families.”
Challenges for Biden
While the election results brought some positive news for Democrats, there were also challenges for President Biden. Incumbent Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY) successfully defended his position against a well-funded challenge from Daniel Cameron, who had the support of former President Trump. This victory highlights the problem Democrats face with Biden, as Beshear is seen as a younger candidate who does not exhibit signs of cognitive decline.
Biden’s absence from the campaign trail leading up to Tuesday night’s elections can be attributed, in part, to ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, as well as the looming threat of a government shutdown. However, even during the 2022 cycle, vulnerable Democrats distanced themselves from Biden.
Furthermore, the overall low turnout in Tuesday’s elections suggests that those who chose not to vote may not be supportive of the president. According to David Wasserman from the Cook Political Report, these non-voters skew younger, non-college-educated, non-white, and independent, and they currently hold negative views of Biden while remaining open to voting for Trump.
Focusing on Positive Trends
Despite the challenges, the White House and Biden campaign are choosing to overlook Biden’s poor polling numbers and instead highlight the positive trends stemming from Tuesday’s elections. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden’s values and agenda resonated with voters, particularly in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where they supported his commitment to fundamental freedoms, building a strong middle class, and protecting democracy.
“We have always said that voting matters and polls do not,” Jean-Pierre stated.
How does the strong support for abortion access among black voters impact their political motivation and voting patterns?
Strategist. “But this election demonstrates that their support for abortion access remains strong, and that’s a powerful motivator for many black voters.”
The Importance of Abortion Access
Abortion access has long been a contentious issue in American politics, with Republicans generally advocating for stricter regulations and Democrats defending a woman’s right to choose. For many black voters, this issue takes on even greater significance. Historically, black women have faced disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancies and limited access to healthcare. Abortion access, therefore, becomes a crucial component of reproductive justice for black communities.
“Black women have always been at the forefront of the fight for reproductive rights,” stated an activist from Black Women’s Health Imperative. “We understand that our ability to make decisions about our own bodies impacts not only our physical health, but also our economic stability and overall well-being.”
The Role of Grassroots Activism
The strong support for abortion access among black voters can, in part, be attributed to the efforts of grassroots and community organizations. Groups like Black Women’s Health Imperative, SisterSong, and the National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about reproductive rights and mobilize black voters around this issue.
This grassroots activism has not only sought to educate black voters about the potential consequences of restrictive abortion policies but has also emphasized the intersectionality of reproductive justice. By framing abortion access as an integral part of broader struggles for racial and economic justice, these organizations have successfully mobilized black voters who may not have otherwise been politically engaged.
Looking Ahead
As Democrats navigate the challenges of the upcoming midterm elections, the strong support for abortion access among black voters offers a glimmer of hope. However, it is essential for Democrats to remember that black voters are not a monolithic group and that other issues, such as police reform, economic inequality, and healthcare, also rank high on their list of priorities.
Furthermore, the Republican Party has been actively courting black voters, focusing on issues such as school choice and criminal justice reform. Democrats must work diligently to maintain and build upon the support they currently enjoy from black voters and ensure that their policies and platforms align with the needs and aspirations of these communities.
Despite the challenges ahead, the strong support for abortion access among black voters provides a ray of hope for Democrats. By continuing to champion reproductive rights and addressing the unique concerns of black communities, Democrats have the potential to secure a solid base of support and rally voters in future elections.
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