A poll sponsored by the Associated Press and conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press show that, among the 25 percent of registered voters who are undecided on a candidate, Democratic candidate Al Gore is taking the lead. Swing voters are impressed by Gore’s experience, his mastery on the issues, and his personality, and doubt Republican candidate George W. Bush’s qualifications. Because these voters are less likely to vote than those who have already chosen their candidate, political analysts argue that it is not the candidate’s traits or particular issues that will ultimately decide this close race, but the get-out-the-vote efforts being conducted by both the Democratic and Republican National Parties as well as various activist groups.
Abortion rights activists are among those campaigning to mobilize votes. NARAL and Planned Parenthood, for example, have launched ad campaigns in various key states to make it clear to voters that abortion rights hand in the balance with this election. While Bush has attempted to mask his anti-abortion position, both anti-abortion extremists and pro-choice activists are confident that Bush will support legislation to restrict women’s access to mifepristone, the safe and effective early abortion pill; cut funding from comprehensive sex education programs; and appoint Supreme Court Justices who would be likely to overturn Roe v. Wade.
