White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki is facing questions about why voters continue to support politicians who support restrictions on abortion when the polls appear to show public sentiment is against them.
During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One on Tuesday, Psaki was asked, “If all the polling is correct and abortion rights folks have public sentiment on their side, why have people continued to vote for a party that wants to do away with abortion rights?”
“That sounds like a question for those people who vote that way,” she responded.
Listen to the audio below:
Reporter: “If all the polling is correct and abortion rights folks have public sentiment on their side, why have people continued to vote for a party that wants to do away with abortion rights?”
— The Recount (@therecount) May 3, 2022
Press Sec. Psaki: “That sounds like a question for those people who vote that way.” pic.twitter.com/rq8zAcvCEu
On Monday, Politico published a report based on a leaked draft of an opinion that appeared to indicate the Supreme Court would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
An ABC News poll conducted the week before Politico’s report found that 57% of Americans oppose a 15-week ban on abortion, while 58% say abortion should be legal in most cases.
Additionally, it found that 54% of respondents said they believe the court should uphold Roe v. Wade, while 28% said they think it should be overturned.
However, that is a six percentage point drop from November among respondents who believe Roe should be upheld.
The court confirmed the authenticity of the draft opinion, but said in a statement that it “does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”
And Chief Justice John Roberts called the document’s leak a “betrayal” and an “egregious breach.”
Psaki was also asked on Tuesday if she was surprised that the draft leaked.
“I think this is because it is unprecedented, or almost unprecedented because of what historian you speak to, there’s no question that that raises eyebrows for many in the country, including those of us in the White House,” she responded.
Listen to the audio below:
Psaki on Supreme Court Leak pic.twitter.com/ZysuDDqmPX
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) May 3, 2022
She added, “What our focus is on right now beyond the leak is how we’re going to protect a woman’s right to make choices about her healthcare with her doctor. A right that is supported by the vast majority of the American public. And some call it a political issue. It is not. It is supported by the majority of the American public.”
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris warned that if the opinion holds, it could endanger other rights for Americans.