WASHINGTON - Abortion rights supporters are finding themselves ontough terrain for today's 28th anniversary of the landmark Roe vs.Wade decision that legalized abortion, as abortion foes areenergized by the suddenly changed political landscape. BillClinton, the president who helped the cause for keeping abortionslegal, is gone, replaced by anti-abortion President Bush, who hasnominated an even more staunch abortion opponent as attorneygeneral, John Ash-croft.
"The eight years of a pro-choice presidency were the aberration,"said Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation ofAmerica. "We've been under attack since 1973 when Roe was decided."
Abortion rights supporters are used to the battle. But the groundhas changed.
"Certainly, we can't count on the White House now," said PatriciaIreland, president of the National Organization for Women. "And wemay not be able to count on the court even now - but for sure if onemore nominee gets through that's anything like the Ashcroft model."
Ashcroft, a Republican, has proposed a constitutional amendmentthat would outlaw nearly all abortions, including in cases of rapeand incest, and he also is opposed to most forms of contraception.
Bush could appoint one or more Supreme Court justices. Just oneappointment could tip the balance - with many decisions now beingmade on 5-4 votes.
Any nominee, however, would have to be approved by a Senatedivided 50-50 along party lines.
"It's like a shot across the bow - a warning of things to comethat could impact long past Bush's term, even if he's a two-termpresident," Ireland said.
Abortion opponents are more upbeat than they have been in years.They include Norma McCorvey, the "Jane Roe" in the Roe vs. Wade casewho now runs Dallas-based Roe No More Ministry, a speakers' referralservice for the anti-abortion cause.
"I think the majority of pro-lifers are really looking forward toPresident Bush getting into office," McCorvey said just before theinauguration. "I think we all have the same dream: We'd like to seeRoe v. Wade overturned."
Abortion opponents think it's just a matter of time beforeabortion is outlawed again. "I think pro-life people - and I thinkthat's a majority in the country - certainly feel better now," saidNational Right to Life Executive Director David O'Steen.
McCorvey, meanwhile, dismisses Ashcroft's statement at his Senateconfirmation hearing that he would not try to make abortion illegal.
"I would like to think that John didn't really mean that," shesaid.
But neither side is taking anything for granted.
Abortion rights groups have mobilized supporters with radio adsand Internet campaigns urging them to speak out against Ashcroft.NOW has been protesting Ashcroft.
For the National Abortion Rights Action League's annual dinnercommemorating Roe, "a lot of our pro-choice friends are seeing thisas maybe an alternative to the inaugural festivities," saidspokeswoman Julie Piscitelli.
But anti-abortion groups are rallying behind Ashcroft andplanning protests and marches for Monday.
Americans in general remain split on abortion. An exit poll inthe presidential election found more voters favored keeping abortionlegal, 55 percent to 42 percent.
But only 20 percent thought it should be legal in all cases and35 percent said it should be legal in most cases.
Outlawing abortion after nearly three decades won't be easy.
The fight isn't solely about Roe anymore, said Laura Woliver, aUniversity of South Carolina political scientist and associatedirector of women's studies, noting that abortion access can beeroded in other ways - through regulation or by giving states morepower.
Ashcroft, as attorney general, will decide how to enforce suchlaws as the Freedom of Access to Clinics Entrances law that seeks toensure that women and workers can come and go from clinics safely,Woliver said.
Anti-abortion groups want Bush to repeal some Clinton executiveorders. One eliminated the rule barring clinics from discussingabortion if they receive federal funds.
Another ended the policy preventing foreign aid from fundingabortions or educating people about them.
Bush supports tightening standards for doctors administering thenewly approved abortion pill RU-486, and has said he would signlegislation banning the late-term abortion procedure critics call"partial-birth abortion" that Clinton has vetoed. Bush also opposesfederally funded research using stem cells from discarded humanembryos.
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