Reproductive Emergency. Wendy Kaminer: “Battles over anti-abortion measures like these are important, but they are mere skirmishes
compared to the upcoming fight over the next Supreme Court nominee. Justice Sandra Day
O’Connor, who has been crucial in maintaining the 5–4 majority in favor of Roe, is expected to
retire soon. Bush will, no doubt, nominate a judge opposed to abortion rights, and if he or she
is confirmed, Roe v. Wade will be overruled as soon as the next case challenging it wends its
way to the Court.

The crusade to make abortions illegal and unsafe (they are unlikely ever to be rare) does pose
political risks for Republicans. If outright abortion prohibitions and a reversal of Roe v. Wade
were popular, Bush would not have cloaked his support for them during the campaign. Female
voters deprived of all abortion rights could become a more potent political force than are male
voters who fear being deprived of their guns. If reproductive choice falls victim to the Bush
administration, the administration could in turn fall victim to reproductive choice. But once
revoked, rights are not quickly or easily restored; and the Supreme Court outlives the
administrations that shape it. A Bush Court would survive, while women and girls would die
from illegal abortions.” The American Prospect