New poll shows what Americans care about most heading into midterms. Spoiler: It’s not abortion

With approval numbers in the toilet and midterm elections fast approaching, it’s safe to say that Democrats are hoping the overturning of Roe v. Wade by a conservative-dominated Supreme Court will give them a much-needed boost of newly-invigorated voters.

But, according to a new poll released the day of the decision, they may be in for a disappointment as only 15% of likely voters think abortion is the most important election issue to be decided at the polls.

A USA Today/Suffolk University poll released on Friday reveals that, while 62% of voters characterized abortion as an important issue, 66% say the economy tops their priority list.

Even more worrisome for the left should be the fact that 33.2% of the respondents identified as Democrats, compared to 30.7% who said they were Republicans and 31.7% who were Independents.

Among that Democrat-heavy group, a whopping 71% of all likely voters surveyed said the nation is headed on the “wrong track.”

Just 23% of voters ranked abortion above the economy as the most important election issue.

 

What’s more, it doesn’t seem likely that Friday’s explosive ruling will be much of a recruitment tool for new voters.

While voters were surveyed before the SCOTUS decision to reverse Roe v. Wade was made official, three out of four of those polled said overturning the controversial 1973 decision would have no effect on whether or not they would vote in November. Only 19% of the respondents said a reversal would make them more likely to vote.

Interestingly, the poll also showed that 61% of Americans actually wanted the status quo to remain with respect to federal abortion access protections, with 28% believing Roe should be overturned. Just over half of all respondents (51%) were in favor of a national abortion policy, while 40% agreed that abortion legislation should happen on the state level.

It’s yet another indication that, if the Dems were pinning November hopes on the abortion issue, they’ve likely overestimated its importance to voters.

“With inflation at record highs and gas prices climbing, many political analysts on the right and left predict issues like abortion, guns, voting rights, and election integrity will take a back seat to pocket book concerns,” Fox News explained.

But, in truth, you don’t need political analysts to tell you that. You only need to look on Twitter at the reactions to this very poll and the message from voters becomes crystal clear: “It’s the economy, stupid.”

“Of course Abortion is not the #1 thing on the majority of America’s [sic] mind!” tweeted one user. “The economy and destruction of our country is!! And the weak corrupt left believes these abortion riots will advance their chances??” ”

Man they got it wrong again!!” the user exclaimed. “They’re better off sticking to voter fraud!”

“I have been saying this nonstop: people are very focused on inflation and gas prices,” wrote Ned Ryun. “Abortion doesn’t even make the top-five issues for most voters.”

“I don’t have to get an abortion,” a third tweeted. “I do have to get gas. Guess which one I’d be thinking about if I weren’t an over-political borderline pundit?”

Melissa Fine

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