Donald Trump has the edge on the economy, writes Schoen. But “Republicans have so botched their handling of abortion that it may nullify any electoral edge Republicans would have had due to inflation and general economic pessimism.”
“Quite simply, moves by a handful of states…to restrict abortion and in-vitro fertilization access have reignited the debate over reproductive rights and given Democrats an opening to paint Republicans as extremists who are woefully out of step with mainline American attitudes.”
To minimize the electoral damage of the abortion issue, Republicans hope to refocus voters’ attention on the economy and persistently high inflation -- “issues,” says Schoen, “where the GOP should win.”
That's smart since, according to Pew, 73 percent of Americans say the top policy priority should be “strengthening the economy.”
“If more states pass ultra-restrictive abortion laws, Democrats should see a tailwind,” concludes Schoen.
But if inflation lingers, “voters may decide to vote with their wallet, at least on a national level.”
Read the op-ed at TheHill.com.
