As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Donald Trump’s campaign has struggled to regain momentum since Kamala Harris entered the Democratic Race.
With just over three months until the election, Trump’s campaign has faced challenges from the far-right elements within his base, grappling to develop effective strategies against Harris, the new contender.
According to Yonhap News, the implementation of abortion laws in Iowa has thrust the issue back into the forefront of Trump’s campaign. Iowa recently enacted a law reducing the window for legal abortions from up to 22 weeks of pregnancy to just six weeks upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat.
This law was passed by Iowa’s Republican-controlled state government and legislature following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of federal abortion rights established in the landmark 1972 Roe v. Wade decision. The conservative majority in the Supreme Court, which the Trump administration shaped, is widely credited for this ruling.
However, the law’s implementation is seen as potentially detrimental to the Republican Party, given that public opinion in the U.S. tends to favor abortion rights over restrictions. Iowa itself strongly supports abortion rights.
AFP reports that despite expectations of Trump winning again in Iowa, the Republican Party risks alienating moderate and centrist voters due to the unpopularity of abortion bans among most Americans. Reuters has emphasized that “the unpopularity of abortion bans among most Americans has been proven,” highlighting abortion as a critical campaign issue for Democratic candidates in this year’s election.
CNN analysis suggests that “Harris could bolster her approval ratings by solidifying support among voters who share her stance on abortion.” In contrast to President Biden, known for his cautious approach to this issue as a devout Catholic, Harris has taken a clearer stance.
In response to Iowa’s abortion ban, Harris referred to it as the Trump abortion ban in a recent video statement, emphasizing “the need for voter action” to shift the narrative.
J.D. Vance, a vice presidential candidate alongside Trump, has faced criticism for extreme remarks opposing abortion even in cases of rape and making derogatory comments about Harris, who comes from a blended family, labeling her as a “childless cat lady.”
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) assesses that Trump now confronts the challenge of distinguishing his approach on abortion rights from Biden’s while competing against Harris, who is likely to receive favorable evaluations on this issue.
Despite ongoing effects, Trump’s campaign has yet to craft a decisive strategy to challenge Harris on issues that effectively disadvantage them.
Regarding a potential TV debate with Harris, Trump hinted in a Fox News interview that he might skip it, leaving the possibility open for his absence.
During a fundraising event in Minnesota, Vance acknowledged the difficulty in finding vulnerabilities in Harris compared to Biden, noting her youth and perceived immunity to similar issues faced by Biden.
The Washington Post (WP) noted Vance’s remarks diverge from the official stance of the Trump campaign, which maintains that Harris, having served in the Biden administration for four years, shares responsibility for various shortcomings, including border issues.
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