Could the issue of abortion be the issue that decides whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris becomes the next President of the United States?
Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has jetted off to the Sunshine State of Florida to take the temperature on the ground ahead of Tuesday's Presidential Election.
In States all across America, the issue of abortion looks set to drive both sides of the debate to turn out in their millions to cast a ballot.
For decades, abortion was a constitutional right in the US but the overturning of Roe v Wade by Trump-appointed judges means the issue is now a matter for each State.
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In Florida, abortion is allowed in the first six weeks of pregnancy but locals have been given a vote on whether to increase the cut off point.
Polls suggest that, while a majority will vote yes, there will be fewer than the 60% supermajority needed to change the state constitution.
For some women, it is highly personal.
“I have lost a child due to miscarriage and I almost died in the process as well,” Florida voter Vanessa told Josh for The Pat Kenny Show.
“Unfortunately, I have lost two children in that process but I was able to live for the two children that I had at home.
“So, this is something that’s very important to me; very near and dear to me and my personal life.”
I believe in the fundamental freedom of Americans to make decisions about their own bodies.
I will fight to restore what Donald Trump and his hand-selected Supreme Court justices took away from the women of America. pic.twitter.com/BYzhQEDTUC
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 30, 2024
Vanessa fears that under Florida’s current legal framework, she “wouldn’t have made it” and has serious concerns about what will happen to America if Kamala Harris loses on Tuesday.
“Urgh,” she said when asked about Mr Trump.
“Living in this country - that’s the fear.
“He has not shown that he is for all people - especially marginalised people.”
No longer a swing state
Not all women feel the same way.
Florida was once a swing state which alternated between the two parties; however, increasingly, it is a Republican stronghold and Donald Trump is expected to win easily on Tuesday.
Kamala Harris has made abortion rights a central part of her campaign but speaking to a group of first-time female voters, Newstalk found huge enthusiasm for the idea of a second Trump term.
“He just supports a lot of our Christian values and he wants to make sure that all of the women are safe in our country,” one of them said.
“That’s very important to us because we are women.”
She told Josh that among social circle, pro-life views are the norm and a candidate’s view on the issue is something they take into account before voting.
“I feel like this is a major election for us to be voting in for the first time,” she said.
“It’s very overwhelming.”
'Finish building the wall'
Out at a veteran’s parade, Edward Mannick is clear America would be better off with Trump back in the White House.
“We need him, our country needs him and the United States of America needs him,” he said.
“Freedom needs him, liberty needs him, the people need him.”
Mr Mannick believes the Biden administration is “communist” and is concerned about immigration.
“They’re giving away everything that our country has built and worked for,” he said.
“They are very liberal and criminals, rapists, murderers are coming into our country.
“President Trump was building the wall and we want President Trump to finish building the wall.”
Mimi Ramirez-Rodriguez was kidnapped and murdered by an illegal alien—leaving behind a 9 year-old girl. I met her grieving mom Carmen tonight in Georgia. With your vote Tuesday, we will end Kamala’s invasion and we will not allow illegals to spill one more drop of American blood. pic.twitter.com/BEt6r0LvNy
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 4, 2024
He plans to vote against loosening Florida’s abortion laws and would ideally like to “stop all abortion”.
“It’s no longer their choice when they’re killing another person,” he said.
“From the moment of conception, it has a soul, it’s a human being, it should have all constitutional protections and rights as any other person.”
The respected FiveThirtyEight polling website has given Donald Trump a 53% chance of winning the White House and Kamala Harris a 47% chance of becoming America’s first woman President.
Main image: Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate. Picture by: AP Photo/Alex Brandon.
