A recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College has revealed that 17% of voters blame President Joe Biden for the end of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States. This surprising finding has sparked debate and speculation about the implications of Biden’s role in the current state of reproductive rights in America.
The poll, which surveyed over 1,000 registered voters, found that a significant minority of respondents hold Biden personally responsible for the recent wave of anti-abortion legislation that has been sweeping across the country. These laws, which range from bans on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy to outright bans with no exceptions for rape or incest, have been widely criticized by pro-choice advocates as a direct attack on women’s rights.
Despite the fact that Biden has publicly voiced his support for upholding Roe v. Wade and has taken steps to protect reproductive rights through executive actions, some voters still see him as complicit in the erosion of those rights. This perception may be fueled by the fact that Biden has not been able to enact federal legislation to codify Roe v. Wade into law, leaving the decision vulnerable to being overturned by a conservative Supreme Court.
It is worth noting that the blame placed on Biden for the end of Roe v. Wade is not shared by the majority of voters, with 54% of respondents attributing the erosion of reproductive rights to state legislatures and the Supreme Court. However, the fact that a significant portion of voters hold the president accountable for this issue underscores the intense political polarization surrounding abortion in America.
As the debate over reproductive rights continues to rage on, it is clear that Biden will face increasing pressure to take decisive action to protect access to abortion. Whether he can navigate the complex political landscape and deliver on his promises remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fight for reproductive rights is far from over.