Republican debate: GOP candidates splinter over abortion as issue appears poised to be key topic
Rachel Schilke
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GOP presidential candidates are already splintering over their stances on key social issues such as abortion and reproductive healthcare, with the former already expected to be a top concern among voters heading into the 2024 election.
With the first Republican National Committee debate approaching in three weeks, this will be the prime opportunity for GOP presidential candidates hoping to establish themselves as the best chance for the party to win in 2024.
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Already, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is setting himself apart from his fellow GOP opponents after he declined to pledge to enact a nationwide abortion ban if he is elected president. His comments received backlash from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
DeSantis also received criticism from his fellow Republicans, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Vice President Mike Pence — two candidates who are looking to move up in the polls and knock DeSantis out of his position as the runner-up behind former President Donald Trump.
Pence linked to Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, criticizing DeSantis for his noncommittal abortion stance.
“When I am president #ProLife Americans will have a champion in the White House!” Pence posted. “In the Dobbs decision, the question of abortion was returned to the states AND the American people. I will always champion protections for the unborn in states across the Country and in our Nation’s Capital!”
https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1686155061628428289
Scott also took a hit at DeSantis Monday night, saying, “Republicans should not be retreating on life.”
“We need a national 15-week limit to stop blue states from pushing abortion on demand. @sbaprolife defends the most fundamental right: life. Without life, nothing else matters. It’s not a special interest. It’s the only interest,” Scott posted.
DeSantis has defended his abortion comments, pointing the Washington Examiner to Florida’s six-week ban that was signed in April and calling the attack an example of “D.C. political games.”
https://twitter.com/votetimscott/status/1686144856484089856
Before this, candidates have mostly tread lightly on abortion, attempting to paint themselves as supporters of restrictions without isolating centrist Republicans or independent voters, who could be key assets for Republican victories.
Midterm election exit polls showed a majority of voters, 62%, believe abortion should be legal, a 7-point increase from 2020.
However, with the RNC debate coming up, candidates are likely to start being more vocal in an attempt to break out into their own lane. Strategists view the GOP primary as having two lanes: Trump and everyone else.
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Trump has not committed to appearing on the RNC debate stage on Aug. 23, giving the other six candidates who have qualified so far a chance to appeal to voters and pitch their narratives.
General election voters will be looking to candidates for their abortion stances, as Democrats hope to seize on abortion rights again to maintain the Senate and White House and flip the House back to blue.