Podcast Summary: The Daily – "Why Abortion Rights Won Even as Kamala Harris Lost"
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Daily
- Host/Author: The New York Times
- Description: This podcast delivers the biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists. Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise, it offers twenty minutes of news daily, available on various platforms.
- Episode Title: Why Abortion Rights Won Even as Kamala Harris Lost
Introduction
In this episode of The Daily, host Michael Barbaro and New York Times correspondent Kate Zernike delve into the contrasting outcomes of the recent election: significant victories for abortion rights ballot measures across multiple states, juxtaposed with the loss of Kamala Harris in the presidential race. The discussion explores the underlying reasons for this divergence and its implications for the future of abortion politics in the United States.
The Ballot Measure Surge
[00:24] Michael Barbaro opens the conversation by highlighting how abortion was a prominent issue on the ballots across ten diverse states during the election. Contrary to many voters' expectations, these abortion rights measures were actively voted on, leading to a significant shift in state constitutions.
[01:40] Kate Zernike confirms that out of the ten states, seven approved amendments to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions, marking the highest number of such measures in history post the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Notable Quote:
"This was actually on the ballot."
– Kate Zernike [00:24]
Historical Context and Strategy
[02:20] Kate Zernike provides historical context, explaining that prior to the Dobbs decision, ballot initiatives were predominantly used by anti-abortion groups, with only a handful supported by abortion rights advocates over nearly five decades.
[03:25] Michael Barbaro points out the historical advantage anti-abortion forces had with ballot initiatives. However, post-Dobbs, abortion rights groups adapted this strategy, leading to a reversal of fortunes.
Notable Quote:
"Abortion rights groups really rally their supporters to work against this ballot amendment and it fails in August."
– Kate Zernike [03:30]
Mechanics of the 2024 Ballot Initiatives
[05:22] Michael Barbaro shifts focus to the mechanics behind the 2024 ballot measures, questioning how these initiatives were strategically placed in key states during a presidential election year.
[07:01] Kate Zernike outlines that only 17 states allow citizen-sponsored ballot measures, with ten of these states previously enforcing abortion bans. The measures aimed to either overturn existing bans or reinforce the right to abortion in state constitutions.
Notable Quote:
"They're either blue states trying to enshrine a right to abortion that's already in state law... or red and purple states where either abortion is already banned or the legislature is trying to ban it."
– Kate Zernike [07:35]
Campaign Strategies and Messaging
[08:31] Kate Zernike discusses the shift in public perception towards abortion, emphasizing how personal stories and healthcare narratives were central to the campaigns. Ads highlighted real-life consequences of abortion bans, portraying them as threats to women's health and autonomy.
[10:11] Michael Barbaro observes that these campaigns adopted non-partisan tones, focusing solely on women's health rather than political affiliations.
Notable Quote:
"This ban is torture."
– Woman in Florida Ad [10:18]
Election Results and Discrepancies
[12:37] Michael Barbaro summarizes the election outcomes, noting clear majority wins for abortion rights in the seven states where the measures passed. However, despite these wins, Kamala Harris did not garner equivalent support in these states.
[14:44] Kate Zernike presents data showing significant gaps between the support for abortion rights and votes for Harris:
- Arizona: 62% abortion measure vs. 46% Harris
- Nevada: 64% abortion measure vs. 47.5% Harris
- Missouri: 52% abortion measure vs. 40% Harris
- Florida: 57% abortion measure vs. 43% Harris
Notable Quote:
"These voters were capable of holding two thoughts in their heads at once and splitting those two things up."
– Kate Zernike [15:57]
Analysis of Voter Behavior
[17:04] Kate Zernike explains that while the abortion rights campaigns effectively mobilized support by framing abortion as healthcare and personal freedom, this did not necessarily translate to broader support for Democratic policies or the Democratic candidate herself. Voters were able to support abortion rights without extending that support to Kamala Harris.
[18:48] Kate Zernike adds that former President Trump's messaging effectively neutralized concerns among pro-abortion rights voters, with many believing he would not impose a national ban despite his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.
Notable Quote:
"Harris was a victim of her own success and the way she changed how the country thought about abortion."
– Kate Zernike [17:32]
Consequences for the Democratic Party
[19:31] Michael Barbaro probes whether the Democratic Party might reconsider its strategy of tying abortion rights closely with their candidates, given the split-ticket voting observed.
[20:09] Kate Zernike conveys that while abortion rights groups prioritize restoring access immediately, Democrats may need to evaluate how to integrate abortion rights with broader party platforms without solely relying on this issue to drive electoral success.
Notable Quote:
"Abortion rights did not help Kamala Harris win in 2024, but Kamala Harris helped abortion rights win in 2024."
– Michael Barbaro [21:10]
Feminism and Abortion Rights
[21:24] Michael Barbaro reflects on the dissonance among Democratic supporters who saw a significant victory for abortion rights but a loss for a female Democratic candidate, challenging the intertwining of feminism and abortion advocacy.
[23:08] Kate Zernike discusses the shift in discourse, where abortion is increasingly framed as a protection of women's health rather than a feminist issue. This "decoupling" has led to a less cohesive feminist movement around abortion rights.
Notable Quote:
"Abortion is about protecting women, but in a paternal way. And that's not the same as autonomy for women, right?"
– Kate Zernike [23:08]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with the acknowledgment that while abortion rights saw substantial victories through ballot measures, these successes did not translate into electoral gains for Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris. The split between issue-based support and candidate support signals a complex landscape for future political strategies surrounding abortion and women's rights.
Final Quote:
"Harris was a big reason that the issue won the way she talked about abortion and got the Democratic Party, which had always, like, really hesitated."
– Kate Zernike [20:58]
Key Takeaways:
- Record Ballot Measures: Seven out of ten states approved constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights.
- Voter Behavior: Significant support for abortion rights did not equate to support for Kamala Harris, indicating ticket-splitting.
- Strategic Shifts: Abortion rights groups redefined their messaging to focus on healthcare and personal freedom, appealing beyond traditional feminist narratives.
- Political Implications: The Democratic Party may need to reassess its approach to tying key issues with candidate support.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Kate Zernike [00:24]: "This was actually on the ballot."
- Kate Zernike [03:30]: "Abortion rights groups really rally their supporters to work against this ballot amendment and it fails in August."
- Woman in Florida Ad [10:18]: "This ban is torture."
- Kate Zernike [15:57]: "These voters were capable of holding two thoughts in their heads at once and splitting those two things up."
- Kate Zernike [17:32]: "Harris was a victim of her own success and the way she changed how the country thought about abortion."
- Kate Zernike [23:08]: "Abortion is about protecting women, but in a paternal way. And that's not the same as autonomy for women, right?"
This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened.