Republican presidential candidates divided on abortion restrictions as Biden seizes issue for re-election bid

Republican candidates displayed a range of positions on abortion restrictions during their first primary debate.
Some candidates advocated for a 15-week federal abortion ban, while others focused on state-level restrictions without endorsing a national policy.
Anti-abortion groups praised candidates who backed a 15-week ban but criticized those who avoided the topic.
President Biden's campaign quickly released an ad targeting the GOP's abortion stances to appeal to women voters in battleground states.
The debate highlighted internal Republican disagreements on abortion policy amid efforts to find consensus before the 2024 election.