Polls show that the abortion issue hurts the party. In the 2000 presidential election, for example, a Los Angeles Times exit poll found that of those for whom abortion was the top issue, 58 percent voted for George W. Bush, 41 percent for Al Gore. Also, some who otherwise would vote Democratic no doubt stay home rather than violate their conscience by backing a pro-choice candidate.
How many close races has the national Democratic Party's dogged defense of abortion tipped to the GOP? How many more Democrats will go down with the Roe boat?