The Point: Americans *hate* the Texas abortion law

View this email in your browser   September 21, 2021  | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski Americans *hate* the Texas abortion law Texas Republicans' decision to pass the nation's most restrictive abortion law earlier this month has landed like a lead balloon with voters nationally.   At the core of the law is the empowerment of private citizens to bring lawsuits against people who assist someone in getting an abortion after the state's six-week window. It also provides monetary rewards of up to $10,000 for those who bring the suits.   People really don't like either of those provisions, according to new national polling from Monmouth University.   Fully 70% of Americans disagree with the idea of allowing private citizens to bring lawsuits against abortion providers. That numbers includes 9 in 10 Democrats, yes, but also more than 4 in 10 Republicans.   Opposition to paying off these complainants is even higher in the poll, with 81% disapproving of the idea -- including 2 in 3 (67%) of self-identified Republicans.   Those sorts of overwhelming majorities -- particularly on an issue as divisive as abortion rights -- are essentially unheard of, but speak to a bipartisan sense in the public that Texas Republicans went too far.   Remarkably, in spite of those numbers, at least seven other Republican-controlled states have expressed interest in following Texas' lead on its abortion law.   And in Missouri, a federal judge is expected to rule on Tuesday as to whether a 2019 law that effectively bans abortion after eight weeks can begin to be implemented.   The Point: At minimum, the Texas law will serve as a base-motivating tool for Democrats who are in search of energy in advance of the critical 2022 midterms. At most, the law -- and other potential copycats around the country -- could jeopardize the GOP's ability to win over swing voters.   -- Chris QUOTE OF THE DAY "I stand here today for the first time in 20 years with the United States not at war. We've turned the page." -- President Joe Biden used his first speech to the UN General Assembly to describe a world where American civic leadership, rather than military power, resolves persistent problems like Covid-19, climate change and cyber warfare. TUESDAY'S TOP TWEETS 1. Rapid testing is (still) how we beat Covid 2. Circle November 1 on your calendar 3. The six-point coup plan 4. The Wizard of Oz 5. This is fine! CHRIS' GOOD READS We, collectively, continue to grapple with Donald Trump's post-presidency -- and changes that might be necessary to avoid some of the excesses we saw him attempt on his way out the door. The New York Times details new legislation by House Democrats that would curtail post-presidential power. But can Democrats convince Republicans to vote for it too? These emails -- detailing the real motives of Florida Republicans for passing a sweeping election reform bill earlier this year -- look really, really bad. Kudos to Politico for unearthing them. The Atlantic has been invaluable in its smart and around-the-corner thinking, reporting and writing on the pandemic. (I sprung for my own personal subscription last year.) This piece -- on the six questions that will define our next Covid winter -- is invaluable. This is very cool -- and could be a massively helpful resource: The Wall Street Journal says that the Apple is working on technology that will be able to detect depression in its users.   This is a really good read in The Washington Post on what, exactly, we should make of Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf Islam) now.   In 1998, a San Francisco Mexican restaurant offered free food for life if you got their logo tattooed on your body. SFGATE went back and checked on how the tattooed "winners" are feeling about their life decisions. MUSICAL INTERLUDE Adia Victoria's third album -- "A Southern Gothic" -- is out now. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, it's lyrically and sonically fascinating. BREAKTHROUGH CASES IN CONGRESS Two more members of Congress announced Monday they have tested positive for Covid-19. Reps. Tim Ryan and Bob Latta, both of Ohio, both say they are fully vaccinated. Ryan said he is experiencing "mild symptoms" while Latta said he is experiencing none.   So far, nine House members are known to have tested positive for Covid-19 since early August, according to CNN's tally. Four senators, all of whom were vaccinated, have also announced positive tests since early August. For the record: Breakthrough cases are to be expected and remain very rare. In early September, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 14,115 breakthrough cases resulting in hospitalization or death out of more than 176 million Americans fully vaccinated. WHY WE'RE ALL SO DAMN ANGRY The political landscape in America has always been somewhat contentious, but where it stands today is next-level rage.   In the latest episode of The Point, Chris discusses how Covid-19, election fraud and the overall political sphere has continued to fuel the divide in America today.   Stick with The Point on YouTube and subscribe! ONE NEW UNIFORM PROTOTYPE The US Space Force, the newest branch of the US military, unveiled a new uniform prototype for its members. The prototype is navy blue with a series of silver buttons bearing the US Space Force symbol on them running diagonally from the right shoulder down the front of the wearer's chest.  You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

Share This :

Editor