By 1977 (4 yrs after Roe Vs. Wade) abortion was already the "law of the land." The dems well already on their road to supporting abortion. The pro-abortionists always had a home in the demo party. The fact that a few dems thought otherwise did not materially effect the direction of the party. But having Pro-life Jimmy Carter elected over pro-'choice' Gerald Ford, reinforced Humphrey's statement.