Every candidate could be as anti-abortion as he wanted, since pro-deathers were secure in their constitutional "right" and the candidathes themselves could be sure they never would cast a meaningful vote on the issue.
As soon as the blatantly anti-constitutional Roe v. Wade fell, however, it all of a sudden and shockingly got real.
Pro-deathers could legislate abortion. Pro-lifers could restrict it. And both failed to understand the critical nature to voters of access to baby-killing in a free sex environment.
It helps to study Ireland. Abortion was always illegal there, but in 1986, stimulated by Roe in the US, the Irish voters AMENDED THE CONSTITUTION by a 2/3 majority to make abortion always and forever illegal.
1986. Only 38 years ago, or a single generation of a woman's fertility duration.
This amendment was repealed by referendum in 2018 with 66% voting "yes". The repeal triggered week long block parties all over Ireland, with celebrations going on into the early morning.
So what happened? The "amendment voters" in 1986 had no idea what they were doing or what had become of their people. Now they know.