Kamala’s Greatest Hope is the Abortion Vote
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Key Takeaways
- Kamala Harris's statement following Amber Thurman’s death misleads voters about abortion, but this remains her strongest issue.
- Republican voters largely view Harris’s abortion narrative as misleading, focusing instead on the ethical concerns of abortion pills and medical care.
- MIG Reports data shows 71% of female voters oppose abortion bans and 45% of male voters support abortion bans.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
4,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
14 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
Abortion continues to be a central issue for the Harris campaign and voters are reacting. Following the KamalaHQ X account posting commentary on the tragic death of Amber Thurman, a Georgia woman who died after complications from an abortion pill, Americans are divided.
The Harris campaign used this incident to reinforce her stance on reproductive rights, positioning herself as a defender of women's healthcare. However, this has sparked fierce debate across party lines, with Republicans challenging the accuracy and sincerity of her message.
Statement from Vice President Harris on new report of a 28-year-old Georgia woman dying after not receiving urgent care needed for an infection under Georgia’s extreme abortion ban https://t.co/sf1yJp3foG pic.twitter.com/kM0pq3qG3K
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) September 17, 2024
In the statement Harris said:
“Abortion bans have fatal consequences. Amber Thurman should still be alive today. This is not just about Roe. This is about women’s lives.”
This frames the abortion debate as deserving sympathy in the wake of a tragic loss of life, blaming abortion restrictions for Thurman's death. But Republicans are pushing back hard, challenging Harris on the facts of the story.
Republicans Fact Check the Amber Thurman Case
As many on the right point out, the tragic death of Amber Thurman has been used to highlight the dangers of restrictive abortion laws, particularly by the Harris campaign. However, the facts tell a more complicated story. Amber Thurman died after a botched medical procedure following complications from an abortion pill. The problem wasn't an abortion ban—it was the abortion pill itself, combined with medical malpractice.
.@michaeljknowles weighs in on this massive lie. https://t.co/lSjWm2tVYk pic.twitter.com/ZK2rBAdfyl
— The Michael Knowles Show (@MKnowlesShow) September 19, 2024
Georgia’s abortion laws, while stringent, still allow medical procedures like D&Cs (dilation and curettage)—a procedure for surgically removing sections of the lining of the uterus. This includes procedures following abortions or miscarriages. No state, Georgia included, prevents doctors from performing life-saving procedures to protect a woman’s health, a point conveniently omitted from Harris’s narrative.
For Republicans, this case exemplifies the broader issue: Democrats like Harris are using selective facts to maintain support on one of the top issues for their voter base. Meanwhile, they ignore the reckless prescription practices and FDA oversight failures which contributed to Thurman's death.
Kamala Harris is a LIAR!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) September 19, 2024
Amber Nicole Thurman didn’t die because of lack of an abortion.
The abortion is what killed her! Abortion pills lead to her death.
Even Newsweek is reporting the truth: https://t.co/F8EjAFOgiQ https://t.co/CmCMFoVaHc pic.twitter.com/hMlIseuSmK
MIG Reports data shows:
- Harris, who typically leads Trump in voter sentiment regarding abortion, dipped to 41% approval, below Trump’s 43% on the day she released the misleading statement.
- In the last few days, both Trump and Harris have surged in sentiment for their respective abortion platforms.
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How Americans View this Issue
American voter reactions to this incident and Harris’s campaign framing have been deeply polarized. According to MIG Reports data samples:
Democrats
- 72% believe Harris’s commentary on the abortion pill incident was accurate and support her position.
- 62% are more likely to vote for Harris because of her abortion views.
Republicans
- 62% view Harris's remarks as misleading, saying her campaign politicized the tragedy for electoral gain.
- 45% of Republicans say they are less likely to support Harris because of her abortion platform.
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The partisan divide on this issue is not surprising. For Democrats, reproductive rights are a non-negotiable issue and many express intentions to vote with abortion as the main driver. They see Harris as a strong advocate for women’s health and view abortion bans as dangerous.
Pro-life Republicans see Harris’s approach as exploitative and misinformed. They shift focus to the ethical concerns around abortion pills and late-term abortions. Many within the party believe abortion should be restricted, and 25% even argue the abortion pill itself is too dangerous for unrestricted access—using the Thurman case as an example.
Abortion is Likely Crucial for Harris’s Election
Abortion has always been a divisive issue, but in the 2024 election, it has become a flashpoint. Especially in battleground states where voter sentiments can tip the balance of electoral votes. In states like Georgia, where Amber Thurman perished, local laws play a significant role in shaping voter views. Laws like Georgia’s Heartbeat Bill, which restrict abortions after six weeks, are a major point of contention.
MIG Reports data shows how abortion may influence voters this cycle:
- 62% of overall voters express anger or outrage over abortion bans, with many calling for restrictive laws to be repealed.
- 31% defend abortion bans, viewing them as necessary to protect the unborn.
- 7% favor the state-specific approach to abortion laws, part of Donald Trump’s platform.
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Demographic trends also highlight the influence of abortion on voter behavior:
- 71% of women oppose abortion bans, particularly women under 30, with 65% of this demographic opposing these restrictions.
- 45% of men support abortion bans, showing a more divided perspective along gender lines.
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The broader implications for the election are significant. In swing states, where independent voters often determine the outcome, abortion could be a deciding factor. Independents are split, with 45% believing the issue is being politicized and 31% advocating for greater access to reproductive healthcare. These voters are likely the ones Harris needs to sway if she hopes to secure victory in key battlegrounds.
The Importance of Abortion for Democrats
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For Kamala Harris, abortion is not just an issue—it’s central to her 2024 platform. Her emphasis on reproductive rights resonates strongly with her base, especially women and younger voters. By focusing on the dangers of abortion restrictions, Harris is attempting to galvanize support from pro-choice advocates and position herself as a protector of women’s health.
However, the risks for Harris are clear. By overplaying the tragedy of Amber Thurman and misrepresenting the facts, she risks alienating moderate voters who might view her rhetoric as too extreme or politically motivated. The focus on reproductive rights could also backfire in swing states, where voters are more likely to support moderate or state-specific approaches to abortion laws.
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