- RAWSTORY.COM - Raw Story - 13/08/2024 14:59

'Holy smoke!' GOP strategist reveals controversial ballot bid has party in panic

Former President Donald Trump has a massive obstacle to getting re-elected, GOP strategist Shermichael Singleton said on CNN Tuesday morning — the proliferation of abortion rights ballot measures being put to voters in key battleground states.The most recent state to add such a measure to the ballot is Arizona, where just a few months ago Republicans had to furiously backpedal to get a 19th century total abortion ban removed from the ballot after a state court they appointed commanded it to be enforced.Vice President Kamala Harris, said CNN fellow co-panelist and Democratic strategist Paul Begala, "Wants to go back to Roe v. Wade where every state had to have the same essential abortion laws. That is a really powerful driver ... when Kamala Harris says Trump and Project 2025 wants to eliminate abortion rights in all states, I want to enshrine them in all states. "Now, you're giving voters not only in Arizona where it's on the ballot, but in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania where it's not, you're giving them a reason to go and vote pro-choice.""Shermichael ... is Arizona making you nervous now?" asked anchor Jessica Dean.ALSO READ: Harris has figured out Trump’s greatest liability"I'm gonna be honest with you. I don't think there is a Republican strategist in this country who is worth their salt, who would not tell you, holy smoke, this is not what you want on the ballot before a hotly contested election," said Singleton. "We know, after two years of electoral data, that this issue mobilizes the heck out of Democrats and mobilizes suburban women voters. It's why you've seen the former president attempting to moderate his stance and, well, states should vote on the issue. And by that, I think he means ballot initiatives allowing voters in those states to vote on the issue.""This is just not good for Republicans, because it not only gins up turnout, but it gins up turnout for Democrats," he added. "That is the opposite effect you want in a hotly-contested race."Watch the video below or at the link here. - YouTube www.youtube.com