While vocal in his support for abortion access, President Biden has seemed a bit hesitant when it comes to actually saying the word “abortion,” opting instead to use phrases like “reproductive freedom” or “freedom to choose.”
By contrast, Harris has been a forceful messenger on abortion, embarking on her Reproductive Freedoms Tour at the start of this year.
Christina Reynolds, senior vice president for the abortion rights political action committee EMILYs List, called Harris an “incredibly compelling messenger” when it comes to talking about abortion.
“She has spent her career talking about this issue and centering it,” Reynolds said. “When she talks about it, it helps move young voters to turn out for Democrats. It helps move women including independent women. It helps move voters of color. This is a coalition, you know, that that helps Democrats win the White House.”
Within a day of Harris taking over the Biden campaign, EMILYs List put out a 30-second ad supporting her White House bid, paid for by the group’s super PAC Women Vote.
If Biden is a little hesitant to talk about abortion, Republicans are mute.
In his record long, hour-and-a-half acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last week, former President Trump made no mention of abortion.
“They know this issue is politically toxic for them. They’ve seen the poll numbers,” said Ryan Stitzlein, vice president of political and government relations at Reproductive Freedom for All.
“They know when they’re talking about abortion, they’re losing. And with Kamala Harris as our nominee, that’s not an option for them. She is going to take this issue to them every single day,” he added.
When asked how they’re approach to abortion will change with Harris taking over, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump has long been consistent in supporting the rights of states to make decisions on abortion.”
