
The Abortion Debate Returns With Risks For Both Parties
From Left, Right & Center by KCRW
May 8, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the renewed focus on abortion in politics and its implications for both parties as they navigate the upcoming midterm elections.
Abortion is back at center stage in our politics after a federal appeals court halted access to a mail-order abortion medication. We’ll talk about next steps in the Supreme Court and the decision facing both parties on whether to lean into this issue at this moment. Democrats know it can galvanize their base, but do they want to take attention away from affordability? On the right, could this expose President Trump’s failure to deliver the strong message on abortion that many supporters wanted? As we go deeper into this midterm election year, we’re also learning that President Trump can still dictate how some elections play out. He sank some incumbent Republicans in Indiana who refused to stand with him on redistricting. And in Texas, if the President doesn’t decide soon who to endorse in the U.S. Senate, the two GOP candidates risk draining their resources. And there’s a chaotic mess for Democrats in the race for California’s governor. It’s a mess that could lead to a Republican replacing Gavin Newsom. Producer: Leo Duran Host: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee , executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur…
People in this episode
Host: David Greene
Guests: Mo Elleithee, Sarah Isgur
Topics covered
- abortion debate
- midterm elections
- political strategy
- Republican Party
- Democratic Party
- Supreme Court
- political messaging
Keywords
- abortion
- midterm elections
- politics
- Republicans
- Democrats
- Supreme Court
- Trump
- Gavin Newsom
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service, The Dispatch
Places: Indiana, Texas, California
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